A small artificial reservoir will become a magnificent decoration of the garden and a favorite resting place for households. Relax under the murmur and splash of water, admiring the flowering plants – what could be better?
Everyone can do it on their own. In the vastness of the network, you can find not only photos of decorative ponds, but also detailed master classes for creating a pond of any shape and size. You just have to decide on its location and get to work!
Brief content of the article:
Seat selection
Find the optimal location for the future garden pond – an important stage in the preparation of the project. Despite the fact that it will perform an exclusively decorative function, a natural ecological system must be organized around it, preventing it from turning into a swamp..
However, being near deciduous trees will result in the pond being covered in a layer of fallen leaves in the fall..
Plants need light to grow, so make sure the area you choose receives enough light. At the same time, it shouldn't be too much..
In hot weather, the water in the pond can overheat, which stimulates the active reproduction of algae and negatively affects other inhabitants of the pond. Ideally, the sun's rays should fall into the reservoir in the first or second half of the day, but at least five hours a day.
It's great if there is an unused slide on the site: the greater the slope of the relief, the more effective the result will be. This is the perfect place to form a cascade.
On the other hand, being located in lower areas will allow you to more fully enjoy the beautiful view, and the sun will dry it more slowly..
Another advantage of the chosen place will be a beautiful reflection in the water, for example, surrounding plants or decorative objects.
The type of soil imposes its own restrictions on the design of a decorative reservoir. Loamy, clayey and peaty soil – the most suitable options. Chernozem contributes to the formation of silt. The organization of a pond on acidic soil must necessarily include protection of the side walls and the bottom.
Design selection
The decorative reservoir does not have to be a pond at all. Making a small fountain or artificial waterfall will take a little longer, but the result will be worth it.
Decorative pond – the simplest and most versatile type of reservoir, suitable for almost any site. The abundance of plants, including aquatic ones, will help to emphasize its purpose. Get creative with amazing eye-catching compositions.
Brooks and cascades are most effective in relief areas. The water in them is constantly moving, and the cascade due to the steps resembles a small waterfall with a characteristic noise. On a flat area, you can organize a channel. The flow of water in it is slower, and it itself is wider. Do not forget that water in such reservoirs gradually evaporates, keep track of its volume.
Interesting solution – creating a small swamp. Its depth usually does not exceed 30 cm. An excellent option for low-lying and wet areas. In this case, you don't even have to make an effort: dig a hole of a suitable shape and depth and wait until it fills itself with water. You need to decorate the swamp with marsh plants..
An even smaller body of water is called «swamp bed». Its depth does not exceed 10 cm.According to its name, it is filled with decorative shallow and coastal plants. «Flower bed» can be arranged in a container made of fireclay or wood with waterproofing. A container made of concrete of an interesting texture will look stylish.
The fountain can act as an independent reservoir or be installed in an existing one. There are submersible and floating models. Original fountains in the form of figures of animals, people and others will be a magnificent decoration of a reservoir in the country. Caution: a fountain that sprinkles water strongly can harm aquatic plants.
IN «dry» there is no water in the reservoir: it is replaced by other means, among which there may be plants and even stones. «An alternative» water will become inexpensive and lightweight black polycarbonate. Here you can and should experiment: «stream» pebble, «lake» of flowers, «pond» made of polyethylene film.
Blue flowers (ageratum, salvia, forget-me-not, bells, etc.) will help simulate water. Drop them off so that they turn out «waves». Finish the composition with shells and pebbles. An interesting addition will be a small bridge.
Choice of size and shape
Of course, the larger the reservoir, the more spectacular it will look. There is a small rule: it should occupy at least 1/5 of the viewing area. Start from the angle with the most comprehensive overview.
Choosing an area of less than 3 m2 is impractical, since natural water purification will not occur on it. However, if the water is in motion, this rule can be omitted..
Depth up to 50 cm is considered small. A minimum of 80 cm is required if you want to plant a fish in the pond. A non-freezing pond (which does not require draining water for the winter) must have a depth of at least 1.2 m.
It is better to choose the shape based on the style of the garden. A round pond suits the English landscape. Regular style implies geometric shapes, and irregular ones will suit the oriental style: Chinese or Japanese. The main thing is that it complements the landscape, and does not contrast with it..
Materials
For a small reservoir (up to 5 m2), plastic bowls are often used. It will not be difficult to install it, but it will serve for a long time. The disadvantage of the ready-made bowl is the shape invented by the manufacturer for you and the small volume..
Waterproofing film is suitable for those who create a pond on an individual project.
Polyvinyl chloride, also known as black PVC, – the most common option. Her plus – easy to fix with ordinary glue.
Polyethylene is cheaper, but less elastic and durable. You can fix it with self-adhesive tape.
The thickness of the butyl rubber film is selected based on the depth of the pond. If it is less than 80 cm, the thickness may be 0.8 mm, otherwise – 1.2-1.5 mm. It is easy to mask excess edges along the coastline with ordinary stones.
It is convenient to place a pond of geometric shape in a concrete pit. Minus of this choice – Complexity of installation requiring experience with concrete.
In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”
Photo of a decorative reservoir
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