Pond in the country. Do-it-yourself pond in the country: views, photos and step-by-step installation

"I'll buy you a house..." - the line from the song literally fell off the tongue when noisy company my friends drove up to a country cottage.

"By the pond, in the suburbs ..." - three of the most cheerful of us sang in unison. The silence of the calm village street was blown up by friendly laughter.

“You shouldn’t laugh,” the owner of the estate was slightly offended. Unload, now you yourself will see both the house and the pond.

And indeed, behind the high forged gates with aristocratic monograms, a luxurious dacha was hidden. A straight path lined with paving slabs led to the two-story house. But the whole company, pissed off by the gentle autumn sun, moved, without saying a word, to the right, along the thick green lawn to the area with the barbecue. There was no such country house like a gazebo.

In my opinion, these buildings with a circular shop and a fungus roof can already be safely classified as relics of the past. We sat in comfortable deck chairs around the fire, over which the men were already conjuring, and did a pleasant thing - we began to carefully examine decorative pond. Along the way, many questions arose, to which the owner of the summer cottage kindly answered.

Pond - what and why

“In general, water is my element,” a friend began a fascinating story. - You know that I can sit fishing for days with a fishing rod, I have a huge aquarium at home, where dozens of fish species coexist perfectly. So I also wanted to build a pond in the country house. Indeed, the atmosphere here is simply magical. She dreams great, but the passage of time seems to freeze. In addition, it does not take up much space.

Even on a modest plot, you can equip a small pond by sacrificing two beds of potatoes in its favor. The country artificial pond will become your favorite vacation spot. After all, the water element relaxes, helps to forget about fatigue and everyday problems. To get rid of the baggage of negative thoughts accumulated during the day, just sit for a quarter of an hour near such a miniature pond. In addition, building a pond is not such a difficult task. For those who at least once in their lives held a shovel in their hands.

Important design decision (style)

“And how did you get started?” - I was distracted from my thoughts by the question of a friend addressed to the owner of the dacha. I got ready to listen.

Before you make a pond with your own hands, you need to choose an ideological concept. So that the artificial reservoir organically fits into the overall picture, so to speak. And indeed, - I figured in my mind, - after all, on a plot of six acres garden pond with a fountain and exotic vegetation along the coastal border will look at least ridiculous. “We considered a lot of options, because we wanted to make this corner of the hacienda unusual,” said a friend. Any shape for the pond can be chosen.

Clear square or rectangular artificial ponds look good next to austere mansions. Especially if lawns are designed according to a similar principle in the yard and straight avenues of tiles connect, like arteries, its main parts.

If you want to create the effect of maximum closeness to nature, then you should think about how to make an artificial pond of arbitrary shape. The advantage of this variety is that at first glance it is even difficult to distinguish such a reservoir from a real lake.

Fans of eastern currents can build a pond in the country in the original style. For example, in Japanese - with huge smooth stones along the edge and undersized coniferous plants. Or with a Chinese flavor: a small wooden bridge connects the two banks, a light breeze tangles in the round crown of a tree nearby, and colorful herbs complement the landscape.

“I took the path of least resistance,” the narrator smiled, “I chose the simplest pond device.” A round pond is easier to build, since you can use a basic blank of the desired diameter: a concrete ring, a wooden tub, or even a truck tire. The round pond in the garden looks perfect, especially next to the young fruit trees or a picturesque alpine hill.

Choosing a place for a country pond

The construction of ponds begins with a thorough study of the area. My friend was lucky, he did not suffer from reflections for a long time, since there was only one place for a reservoir - to the right of the house, in front of orchard. And for those who are interested in the rules of choice, I will tell you about some secrets. First, avoid a site in close proximity to trees, especially mature ones.

Roots can get in the way when you dig a ditch. Leaves falling into the water are certainly picturesque, but not very useful - cleaning ponds is a rather troublesome business. The pond should remain in the shade for some part of the day. This is necessary so that algae do not develop too actively in its abyss. Under the sun, aquatic vegetation will feel great, but you will have to regularly clean the pond during the seasonal "blooms".

However, the shadow will have a bad effect on the state of the decorative "inhabitants" of the coastline. So here you have to choose best option- as they say, the golden mean.As for the functional side of the design of the pond in the country, be guided by your own design flair. Place it where it is convenient for you: next to the house as an alternative to the pool, near the gazebo for friendly gatherings, in a quiet corner of the hacienda, if you like to be alone with yourself and just dream while enjoying the beautiful view.

Materials: three basic options

As in any construction, in the construction of a pond on the site, the choice of materials depends on the budget. And, of course, from the desired result.

Have you decided on a major construction project? Look for concrete base, build formwork, use rebar. Expensive, troublesome, but reliable and, as the owner of the dacha said, "for centuries." The second option is to build a plastic pond from a finished one-piece container.

And the most popular type of building material is a special film that is resistant to moisture. Making a pond using this technology can be called the most acceptable, the most affordable from a financial point of view and the most convenient in terms of implementing a design idea.

Pond construction process

“At first I was scared by the amount of work,” we continue to listen to our friend. The men left the brazier and, having surrounded it with a dense ring, came to learn all the technological secrets of the homegrown builder of country ponds.

1. Making a plan.

We draw a sketch of the future reservoir. Here it is immediately worth considering the main emphasis - which element of the decor will be the key one (a tree on the shore, stones along the edge, bright perennials, or maybe a mini-fountain).

2. Sketch on the ground.

We transfer the drawing from paper to the site - we blur the earth with the pressure of water from a hose or draw contours with sand.

3. Earthworks.

The construction of a pond in the country can be started with an excavator if the volume of the future reservoir is impressive. For a small decorative pond, a depth of 80 cm will be enough, and if you plan to breed fish, then you should go deeper into the bowels of the site by at least a meter.

When the pit is completely dug, it is covered with a layer of sand and carefully compacted.

4. We line the bowl.

On top of the sand it is necessary to lay out geotextiles. As an analogue, you can use old carpets or blankets, linoleum or roofing felt.

Along the perimeter of the reservoir, it is necessary to dig a trench in order to fill the edges of the film there.

5. Filling the bowl.

Fill the bowl with water. The film will then stretch. When the pond is completely filled, fill the film into the trench. Then fix this seam with soil and subsequently decorate (with crushed stone, natural stone, boards, etc.).

To prevent water from stagnating, you can include a stream in the device of an artificial pond or use a special submersible pump. “But this is already aerobatics,” was the summary of the story. “I will make my next pond even more perfect.”

It became clear to everyone that our hospitable comrade was not going to stop there. And rightly so, because in any business, and especially in design, there is always something to strive for.

"I'll get the pigeons ..." Well, here it is again! What is this song haunting me today? Probably, the atmosphere is conducive, because the aroma of barbecue has already begun to tickle our noses.

“And with you, and with love…” The “most musical” of our company deftly hit the guitar strings.

“We will plant lilacs under the window…” Everyone has already picked up the familiar motive.

“Thanks, guys, for the hint,” the owner of the hacienda interrupted the song. - Exactly, the dovecote should be built over there, where the garden path. And I will plant lilacs here, there will be a hedge.

Photo selection

It is better to locate the pond away from the trees - in the fall you will only do what to pull the leaves out of the water, in addition, the roots of plants can damage the bottom cover of the pond. The perfect place for a home reservoir, a quiet place, inaccessible to the winds, without slopes, with average illumination is considered. Before you build a natural pond, keep in mind that in a large pond it will be much easier to equip the ecosystem, arrange plants and care for the inhabitants.

First of all, creating a pond in the country and personal plot with your own hands, you must understand that the water in it will not need to be chlorinated or subjected to a different type of treatment - on the contrary, you will need to strive to create a biological balance between water, plants and living creatures, if you have it. That is, the water should be as self-cleaning as possible, and on your part, in this case, you will only need a rare cleaning of bottom debris. The smaller the pond, the more difficult it is to establish a balance in it.

Reservoirs can be either strict geometric shapes or imitate natural reservoirs - the first case is suitable for a classic landscape design, trimmed gardens and straight paths, the second one will fit into the landscape, imitating wildlife. If you are planning to make a pond with lighting or fountains, when choosing a place, consider the proximity of the power supply.

So that water does not leak - materials

Whatever materials you choose, you still have to dig! The only exceptions are raised reservoirs, which are fenced with a stone border. There are a lot of options for bottom coating - this is both PVC and butyl rubber film, as well as ready-made containers made of reinforced plastic or fiberglass. Immediately it is worth sweeping aside ordinary polyethylene - its service life is not more than 1-2 years.

PVC coating will last all 15 years, and butyl rubber - more than 50! True, the cost of the latter type of coverage will not be small. Another durable, expensive and labor-intensive method is a reinforced concrete pond bowl. Most fast way to get what you want is to buy a ready-made container made of fiberglass or plastic. True, in most cases these are small containers, about 4 m 2 with a depth of up to a meter. Larger containers are already intended for pools, so they will not be cheap.

Ready-made containers are strong enough, in winter they are not afraid of frost, but it’s better not to step on the bottom with your feet, and be careful during transportation to avoid cracks. Plastic bathtubs last the least - up to 10 years, reinforced plastic tanks will last up to 20 years, and fiberglass products - all 30! The disadvantage of such ponds is that they will only be of the form that the manufacturer has set. Film coatings allow you to experiment with shapes to your heart's content.

How to arrange a pond - step by step

To begin with, outline the contours of the future pit - if the pond is constructed on the site using a film, then the contours will be arbitrary, but if you bought a ready-made container, then put it in the place of your choice and circle it with a shovel. Then take this same shovel and dig! The depth of the pit should be 4 cm more than the depth of the tank itself, since you will still need to lay a layer of sand for drainage. When the pit is ready, the drainage is backfilled and rammed, put the bath in place and cover the reservoir with a film.

Try to avoid voids between the walls of the tank and the soil, because in winter frosts they can cause cracks.

After installing the tank, its edges should be overlaid with brick, artificial or natural stone. Much harder to work with fiberglass tubs large sizes- just in their case, the slightest voids between the walls will cause an almost obligatory crack in the winter. Therefore, it is best to entrust their installation to specialists.

How to arrange a natural pond on the site with your own hands - dig it right!

Independent creation of a reservoir from 5 m 2 is possible only with flexible film coatings. Follow the pattern - the larger your pond, the thicker the bottom cover should be. Pay attention to the color of the film you want to use for your work. The black film forms a real mirror from the pond, in which the clouds and the blue sky will be reflected. If you are looking for a natural color, choose brown. Cream or blue shades are best used if fish will live in the water - against this background they will be much better distinguishable.

Now about how to ennoble a reservoir - for this there is a huge range of plants that are not afraid of constant humidity. Water lilies will look especially impressive on the water surface. These plants are planted on a special fabric that better holds them at the bottom of the reservoir. Decorate your pond and a small murmuring, for example, from natural stone.

*The article was prepared with the assistance of the Marlin-shop pond fish and pond equipment store.

How to turn your suburban area to real paradise? Just. Need to create beautiful place pleasing to the eye. And where the soul rests, there the mood improves, and the vitality rises.

One of the bright touches in landscape design can be a decorative pond in the country, comfortably located among the greenery.

Despite the fact that most summer cottages are limited in size to the standard six acres, and the owners do not have the opportunity to make a large pond, this is not a reason to deny yourself the pleasure of having an artificial reservoir on the site. The technical side of the issue will also not become an obstacle, if there is a desire and competent instruction describing step by step how to make a pond with your own hands.

Stage 1 - Idea (types of ponds)

Before starting large-scale construction works and to build a whole lake with your own hands, you need to think about the goal of creating a reservoir on the site.

In terms of functionality (goals), four types can be distinguished:

small pond.

This is a body of water that is part of landscape composition. Their purpose is to decorate a corner of the garden and please the eye. Active recreation near such a pond is not expected.

decorative pond.

It is a deeper body of water. As a rule, they are decorated with bridges, fountains, and lights are mounted. Such a pond is equipped near country house, terraces or gazebos, benches, sun loungers and umbrellas (or awnings) are installed nearby. And the reservoir becomes the center of the recreation area for the inhabitants of a private house.

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A personal artificial lake in which fish swim is not only a dream of fishermen. Children, cats and other family members will be happy to watch colorful fish while relaxing in nature.

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They are also country ponds, which are designed, in addition to the aesthetic function, to provide an opportunity to refresh or even swim, depending on the size.

Based on the purpose and own capabilities, the location of the pond, its parameters and geometry will be determined.

Stage 2 - The style of the reservoir in the country

The garden pond can be made in two versions with an endless variety of different modifications:

Formal (regular) body of water.

The name successfully reflects the essence of the pond, it is a structure that has a rigidly defined shape.

Geometrically correct form the pond is more suitable for plots aged in classical style or in modern, minimalist or high-tech styles.

Along with rectangular shapes, round, square and broken (symmetrical or asymmetrical) also belong to the formal type of pond.

Landscape pond on the site.

A more popular option among users, since it has an irregular coastline, a natural look, creates the effect of being close to nature and does not limit the flight of the creators' imagination.

Tip: The shape of the pond is determined by the preferences of the owners, but the more complex the shore line, the harder it is to lay the film.

An important aspect that you need to pay attention to when choosing the style of the reservoir on the site is the terrain. A flat surface makes it possible to equip a reservoir of any configuration. Differences and irregularities require increased attention, but they allow you to make a reservoir with a waterfall or a cascade of ponds. On such a relief, a bridge or an artificial slide will organically look.

You can also independently raise the pond above ground level. The only difference in the technology of work will be the construction of the foundation, which will avoid the distortion of the concrete bowl of the artificial lake.

The high pond minimizes excavation, is easier to maintain and is suitable for families with small children (the edge is equipped with a fence with railings). Such a reservoir can be built near a covered terrace, making it not only an element of landscape design, but also a place of rest.

Tip: If you're planning on making a pond with a fountain, opt for a tall pond.

Stage 3 - Place (location) for the pond

It is illogical to create a pond for the sake of a pond on the site. It is much more pleasant if the reservoir brings a zest, a decorative accent to the color of the landscape of the site. So, you need to place it in a good place. It is the location that will allow you to admire the artificial lake from anywhere.

How to choose the right place for a pond in the country?

To do this, you need to take into account a number of factors:

• plot size. Directly affects the size of the pond itself and its configuration;

• relief. It also determines the shape of the pond and provides an opportunity to simplify the creation of fountains, waterfalls, or vice versa, to achieve a perfectly smooth water mirror;

• soil composition and level groundwater. Have a direct impact on the depth of the pond, the complexity of the work and the need for additional materials;

• illumination. It is desirable that the pond is located in a shaded place. Direct exposure time sun rays should not exceed 5-6 hours. Otherwise, part of the water from the pond runs the risk of evaporating, and biological activity will negate all the beauty of the reservoir. Recommendation: after choosing a place for the pond, observe the solar regime for several days.

Tip: The deeper the reservoir, the more illuminated the place it can be located.
A pond intended for fish all the more needs thoughtful placement, because the level of oxygen decreases in very warm water.

• visibility. It is better to place the pond so that it can be seen from the window of the house or from the gazebo. Good visibility is especially important for families with children.

• reflection. The pond will only benefit if only clouds or beautiful buildings are reflected on its surface, and not a toilet or a greenhouse.

• degree of landscaping. The trees and bushes growing around the pond are definitely a very organic addition. But, these are also fallen leaves and branches, which, falling into the water, will pollute its surface and, ultimately, settle to the bottom in the form of silt. In addition, tree roots can damage the waterproofing of the pond.

Tip: you can ensure a sufficient amount of greenery near the pond by decorating it with plants in tubs (barrels).

• power supply. For those owners who plan to equip a fountain on the pond, lighting, etc. should consider in advance the possibility of electrifying this site and the yard.

Tip: it is better to supply electricity at the development stage and lay the wires in a protected and durable corrugation underground, and equip the connection points with a hatch for free access.

• the possibility of expanding the reservoir or arranging a recreation area. You need to plan ahead. In both cases, it is important that at least one side of the pond has enough space for possible redevelopment, adding a gazebo, barbecue area, installing sun loungers or a small waterfall.

• the compatibility of the pond with other buildings and the general view of the site.

Tip: it is better to start building a pond in the country with your own hands at the beginning of the warm season - in the spring. Thus, there will be a margin of time for the device and the reservoir will have time to fit into the design (“take root”).

Stage 4 - The size of the pond on the site

It cannot be said unequivocally that a large pond is a luxury, and a small one is a budget option or an opportunity to save money. A small pond does not always mean cheap, sometimes even the opposite. Each type has its own advantages. So let's focus on the key points:

• dimensions. Depend on the location of the pond in the country. On the sites there are recommendations on how much area the pond should occupy - from 3 to 10% of the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site. In fact, there can be no clear recommendations;

• width and length. Determined by the size of the site and the physical capabilities of a person. After all, the pit under the pond is most often dug by hand;

Tip: the aspect ratio will determine the harmony of the pond.

• depth. Depends on the dimensions of the pool, pond or lake and the purpose of the arrangement.

• zoning. Professionals recommend dividing an artificial pond into three sections:

• coastal zone(100-400 mm). Designed for planting plants and entering the pond;

• shallow (400-1000 mm). For plants growing deeper. Tip: Nymphea or winter-hardy water lily grows well at this depth;

• deep water (over 1 m). It is necessary in those ponds where it is planned to breed fish. Square deep water zone depends on the type and number of fish, but should be at least 20% of the pond area.

Tip: The lowest point of the reservoirs should be below the freezing level of the soil. This is especially important for those ponds in which fish live. Thus, she can overwinter painlessly in a non-freezing pond.

• biodynamic balance. A pond is a place that is inhabited by living creatures, therefore, a balance must be ensured so that the pond can clean itself. Special water treatment such as chlorination or ozonation for the pond is not provided.

Tip: plants should not occupy more than 50% of the pond area.

• content complexity. It's a paradox, but the larger the body of water, the easier it is to maintain.

Ponds - from small to large

Stage 5 - Material for the pond in the country

Moving forward in the field of studying summer cottages, we gradually got to one of key issues how to make a pond with your own hands. Any construction begins with the choice of material.

The market offers a lot building materials to create a pond. And craftsmen advise making a pond from improvised materials, this will allow you to build a small reservoir in the country without any special financial costs.

Consider all the materials suitable for building a garden pond.

Concrete pond.

Expensive option that allows you to operate the pond long time. Filling the pond with concrete (construction of a concrete bowl) is a method that is more suitable for building a pool.

Plastic bowl (capacity).

More suitable option. Made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or fiberglass, the form allows you to quickly complete all the work on the arrangement and operate the pond from 5 to 30 years, depending on the quality of the bowl.

The purchased form allows you to make a reservoir in 3 stages: dig a pit, install a bowl and fill the voids with sand.

The plastic bowl for a pond is characterized by simplicity of installation, durability and frost resistance.

Their minus is the high cost, the complexity of transportation (with a large volume) and the need to have basic installation skills. Otherwise, the bowl is very easy to damage. Please note that plastic bowls are destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Advice: clear forms plastic bowl limit the possibility of creating a landscape pond on the site (subjective opinion).

In this subgroup, the most the best way is a bowl (form) for a fiberglass pond, reinforced with a rubber base. An absolute plus of fiberglass in reliability and maintainability.

polymer film.

Provides unlimited possibilities in terms of choosing the shape of the reservoir. The most simple and available material in this category, can be called polyethylene film. It is affordable and cheap, but will not last long.

Longer life for PVC film. At correct installation With proper care, it will last more than 10 years. Tip: instead of PVC film, you can use advertising banners (transparents). They try to get rid of used banners and they can be bought inexpensively. Butyl rubber film for the pond. The most reliable material (rubber) for waterproofing a reservoir. Experts recommend a butyl rubber membrane (EPDM) for those who have a rocky bottom, many roots, a significant depth of the pool. The service life of butyl rubber is 50 years. It withstands repeated freezing.

Folk ways to make a pond from improvised materials

Bath pond

An old bathtub is the perfect container, specifically designed to hold water. It can be dyed in bright color and set in a beautiful corner of the garden. Or you can deepen it into the soil and get a small country pond, even with a fountain.

Tire pond (tire or wheel pond)

Another easy way to make a mini pond in the garden.

How to make a pond from a tire with your own hands is shown in the photo.

Basin pond

The method is so simple that women or even children are more often involved in its device. The basin holds water easily. Like a bath, it can be installed on the ground or deepened. The main thing in arranging a pond from a basin is decor. And then, a garden mini-pond will decorate the site no worse than a full-fledged reservoir.

Decorative pond from plastic bottles.

Suitable for those who want to combine two in one: create a decorative pond and eliminate the buzzing of mosquitoes.

The material was prepared for the site www.site

Please note that the choice of material for the pond has a direct impact on the arrangement, appearance and its service life.

Tip: When choosing a material for a pond, make sure that it is environmentally friendly.

Stage 6 - tools and equipment for the pond

To make a simple pond in the country, you need to prepare a level, a cord (for marking), pegs, a hose for irrigation, a shovel and a cart for removing soil.

For a more technological (capital) reservoir, equipment for the pond will be required:

• filter for water purification. The installation of a filter in reservoirs where fish is bred is especially relevant.

• pond pump. Allows you to organize the supply of water under pressure. It is used for pumping / pumping water, watering the garden, arranging fountains, waterfalls, operating filters (cleaning);

• pond sterilizer. Needed to eliminate algae (will help make the water clear);

• compressor (aerator) for a pond. Important for fish and plants. Aeration of the pond allows you to saturate the water with oxygen. Compared to an aquarium compressor, it has more power.

Stage 7 - We build a pond in the country with our own hands

As you can see, there are more than enough materials that allow you to create a pond on your own. We will focus on how to make a pond in the country from PVC film. The choice is due to the fact that the film takes shape better, it is quite affordable, working with it does not require special skills, the film is subject to repair.

Tip: so that the film does not tear in winter, it is necessary to provide for a deep-water part (below the freezing depth of the soil), which will serve as a kind of compensator.

7.1 Choice of pond film

PVC film colors:

• black - will turn the bottom of the lake into a mirror. In a dark pond, clouds, etc. will be well reflected;

• brown - perfectly imitates bottom soil. Suitable for creating landscape ponds;

• blue or cream - will give the pond a resemblance to a pool, but fish are clearly visible against a light background.

When choosing a film, pay attention to:

• composition. Polyethylene is fragile, PVC is stronger;

• thickness. A film with a thickness of more than 0.5 mm is suitable for a pond. The maximum thickness that is on the domestic market is 1.9 mm;

Tip: The deeper the pond and the more complex its shoreline, the stronger and thicker the film should be. The presence of stones or tree roots is also a reason to choose a stronger film.

• trademark (brand). According to reviews, as well as from practice, it is recommended to use film from the brands Gardena, Heissner, OASE;

• resistance to mechanical damage;

• UV resistance.

Tip: For pond depths over 1.5 m. best solution will use butyl rubber (EPDM or synthetic rubber, as it is also called). The rubber film is capable of stretching, resistant to UV and mechanical damage. Maintains from 40 to 80 °C.

• absence of toxic components in the composition of the film.

Calculation of the film for the pond

• film length = pond length + 2 x pond depth + margin (500-600 mm);

• film width = pond width + 2 x pond depth + margin (500-600 mm).

How and how to glue PVC film for a pond

The gluing of the pool film is carried out with a special adhesive (for example, Tangit (Tangit) PVC-U) or adhesive tape, for example, Quick Seam 3.

Tip: it is better to immediately adjust the geometry of the pond to the dimensions of the film.

7.2 Sketch and diagram of a pond in the country

Before you start digging a pit for a reservoir, you need to draw a sketch on paper, and also transfer it to the surface of the soil. It is advisable to indicate the depth and width of the shelves for plants or steps. This technique will avoid problems in the process of constructing a pond. It is convenient to apply the marking with a garden hose (it is flexible, bright, it is easy to adjust it) or with sand.

Tip: after marking the ground, cover the resulting area with a light film and look at it from different parts of the site. You may actually have to make adjustments to the future pond.

7.3 Digging a pond pit

The pit device includes:

• removal of sod (excavation);

• excavation pit. It is convenient to dig from the edge to the center, gradually deepening in the right places. For decoration, laying stone or laying turf, you need to dig a ledge 600-700 mm deep;

• removal of soil, as well as construction debris, roots, stones and everything that can damage the film.

Tip: since the excavated land needs to be put somewhere, you can equip alpine slide or level the surface of the area where there are depressions.

In the process of excavation, it is necessary to constantly ensure that the banks are on the same line. If a waterfall is planned, then you need to maintain the desired height difference.

Advice. If required building level(level) of great length, then you can do it yourself. To do this, you need to lay a regular building level 500 mm long on a long board.

7.4 Laying the pond substrate

After the pit is dug, its bottom and walls are well rammed (this is necessary for shaping) go to waterproofing. Pond waterproofing is needed to prevent water from escaping into the soil.

Tip: some users prefer not to isolate. In practice, this leads to the fact that the water has a variable level.

There are several ways to form a substrate:

• lay out the compacted pit with stones, gravel and fill it with sand. But after a few years, such waterproofing will cease to fulfill its functions;

• lay geotextile on the bottom and cover with sand. A more reliable method, but also more expensive;

• lay PVC film. It is about the film, as the most common option, that is discussed in this article.

7.5 Laying the pond foil

Proper laying of the film does not exclude the installation of a sand cushion at the bottom of the future pond. According to professionals, such a pillow eliminates the possibility of damage to the film by roots or stones.

Advice. It is better to lay the film on a hot day. As it warms up, it will become more pliable.

Given the relief of the bottom and banks of the reservoir, everyone will be faced with the fact that the film will be laid in folds. At the same time, users are advised to make one large fold, and not many small ones. The formed fold can be pressed down with stones or glued to the main part of the film.

It is important that the laid film lies freely on the surface of the pit, without tension. Otherwise, after filling the pond with water, it can stretch even more and tear.

In order to fix the film, it is enough to dig an auxiliary trench. After laying the film, you can fix it with rods and fill the trench with rubble.

After the film is laid, the pit is filled with stones.

Tip: choose a large stone for the bottom. The flat bottom of the stone will prevent the possibility of tearing the film. For walls, it is better to use rounded stones, since flat ones slide.

Upon completion of the work, the pit is filled with water. Moreover, it must be served without pressure in the middle of the pit.

Only after the water in the pit has stood for 1-2 days can the film be cut off.

7.6 Strengthening the banks of the pond

A homemade pond in the garden will look well-groomed and reliable only when there are beautiful and strong banks.

Depending on the type of soil, the bank of the pond should have a slope:

• with chernozem or clay - it is allowed to make vertical walls;

• with sandy soil - inclined.

Practical users believe that the optimal slope for the shore of the reservoir is 45 °. Such an angle will prevent the shore from crumbling and will prevent ice bulging during freezing / thawing.

When finishing and decorating the banks of the pond, take into account the plants that will be planted on them. Since they all grow at different depths, you should take care of the landing shelves formed at a certain depth.

In the process of digging a pit, each owner will inevitably face the question of how to strengthen the bank of the pond.

The following engineering methods are suitable for strengthening the coast:

For a gentle coast:

• geomat;
• geogrid (perforated polymer);
• geogrid.

Craftsmen advise using a more familiar chain-link mesh, the cells of which are clogged with earth with clover seeds (or other perennial grasses) or to strengthen the shore of the pond with plants and bushes.

For a steep bank:

• gabions;
• piles (sheet piling or ordinary);
• retaining walls.

Biological methods can strengthen the coast just as well. The photo shows plants that can not only strengthen the shore, but also decorate an artificial reservoir.

Advice. For greater reliability, it is better to combine engineering and biological methods for strengthening the shore of a reservoir.

Stage 8 - Making a pond in the country with your own hands

A pond in the country will become a full-fledged design element garden decor only when finishing it.

To make a country pond natural or decoratively decorate a shaped pond, you can use:

• plants planted directly on the bottom of the pond. To do this, you need to put prepared plants in special containers on curtains (pond steps). Tip: Native plants do better in a pond;

• plants in tubs. To do this, any plant is planted in a tub (barrel, bucket, pot) and placed on the shore of the pond. The advantage of this way to decorate the coast is that you can use any, even exotic plants and constantly modify the look of the coastline;

• to equip the island of "dream" in the middle of the reservoir. Install on the island decorative rock a boulder or put a plant in a flower pot;

• run bright fish;

• lay beautiful stones.

Tip: it is better to intersperse the laying of large stones with the laying of smaller ones, in this way, it will be possible to avoid uniformity in the design of the coast.

• lay comfortable and beautiful paths made of natural stone, gravel, saw cuts of wood or brick;

Tip: gravel paths require more maintenance as they are washed away by rain and grass grows through them.

• throw a bridge over a pond;

• complement it with a waterfall;

• install a beautiful fence made of wood or stone;

• organize a night illumination of the pond. Moreover, you can install LED lights, or place lights in transparent glass balls on the water mirror. They can be lowered to the bottom with the help of weights;

• install deck chairs or a gazebo on the shore of the pond.

Stage 9 - Caring for a pond in the country

• protection of the pond from the leaves will provide a mesh construction on a light frame.

• cloudy water, which will stay in the pond for 2-3 weeks, settles over time. In addition, the biological activity of small inhabitants will soon make it transparent.

• a net is useful to clear the pond of leaves;

• to raise the water level, you need to periodically add it (with a bucket or hose without pressure);

• you need to monitor the rate of spread of algae, in order to limit their growth, you can plant a cattail or nymphaeum (lily);

• shelter plants planted in a pond from the cold or bring them into the house;

• periodic cleaning of the reservoir will eliminate bottom debris;

Tip: The pond can be cleaned quickly and effectively in winter. To do this, it is enough to break the ice and take it out of the pond along with the silt.

• algicides - an emergency measure for cleaning the pond. But due to its high toxicity, you should not contact it unless absolutely necessary.

Stage 10 - Preparing the pond for winter

The pond, which is based on a special plastic bowl, can winter, because the bowl can withstand significant temperature changes. And so that it does not deform from the pressure created by ice, it is enough to place several empty plastic bottles in the container. Bottles must first be tightly closed with lids. To prevent the destruction of the bowl, 1 bottle is enough for 1 square meter containers.

But what about those who have a film pond - will the film crack from frost? If the depth of the pond exceeds the depth of freezing of the soil, you don’t have to worry. Empty bottles can also be used to protect smaller water bodies.

Important! All equipment and plants need to be covered for the winter.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered all key points creating a pond with your own hands, starting from the idea and ending with the care. We hope that we have dispelled doubts and given confidence in our abilities. Dare! And by the beginning of the season you will have a wonderful water spot in the countryside.

Whether you like to swim or just relax near the water, relaxing on the shore of a reservoir is one of the great pleasures of summer. But not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a cottage near the water. Therefore, sooner or later, each of us thinks about how difficult it is to make a pond on the site with our own hands. Ideally, we see a pond in the country not only as decorative element landscape design, but also as a small reservoir in which you can enjoy swimming on a hot day.

However, faced with colorful descriptions of the technical difficulties, costs and nuances of regular care, many of us give up this idea.

Let's start with the basics - what makes a pond fundamentally different from a pool is the self-regulation system.

Bathing pond with their own hands.

We will walk you through the process of creating a pond step by step, and you can make your own garden pond by building a cool oasis in the middle of the heat right on your suburban area where with every light breath of fresh breeze our everyday worries disappear.

A garden pond is a living organism.

The pond in the country house mimics the process that nature uses to keep the lake clean. Everything - from the size and shape of the pond, plant species and water circulation are designed to maintain the pond in a stable natural state.


The problems that the pond owner faces is maintaining the balance between plants and water - the plants either die or take over the entire surface of the pond. Only a pond that is a balanced ecosystem ensures optimal transparency and water quality, and maximum enjoyment of swimming in the pond.


The water in the pond must circulate among the roots of the plants in order to be purified. Plants enrich the water with oxygen, which supports the vital activity of beneficial bacteria that utilize pollution and potentially harmful organisms, and also create a habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic life. The result is a stable, ecologically diverse system. Nature has revealed its technology to us and we must carefully use it.

How to make a pond yourself. The principles of the pond.

Water is a living biologically active component and all purification occurs due to the work of plants and beneficial microbes. To do this, the pond provides a bathing area and a filtration area for plants. The filtration zone is actually the swamp part of our water zone, and just like in nature, it is this one that guarantees the purity of the entire reservoir. This zone should occupy at least 50 percent of the total area of ​​the water surface of the pond.
If you have noticed, then in nature there are almost no tiny reservoirs with a consistently clean surface of water - they quickly overgrow or silt. Natural stable biological balance can be achieved in ponds from 100 sq.m. Smaller ponds require more of our attention as they their biological balance is precarious. Therefore, these ponds include a skimmer and UV sterilizer to keep them clean, but still offer a chemical-free bathing area and support growth. aquatic plants.


It is useful to add a small waterfall, stream or fountain to the pond for regular enrichment of water with oxygen. Although, for the same purpose, you can use an aerator.

How is pond water purified?

You can see that the process of filtering water in a pond is not complicated:
1. Water from the swimming area flows into the regeneration area.
2. Water circulates back to the bathing area.

Across drainage pipes under the plant roots in the regeneration area or/and after the skimmer, the water is pumped through the UV sterilizer to the waterfall, stream or to the bottom of the swimming area. The pipe that goes to the bottom of the swimming area is slightly raised above the bottom so that the flow of water prevents the formation of silt at the bottom.

What should be the shape of the pond.

The bowl of the pond looks more like a soup bowl with large rims than a bathtub. The height difference should be about 30 cm for each meter of depth. It is this shape of the pond bowl that ensures the stability of the walls. The figure shows a cross section of a pond with a plant and bathing area:

After compaction of the surface layer of soil in the pit, geotextiles and a hermetic liner are laid on the bottom of the pond. In the plant zone - drainage pipes and gravel. In order to separate the swimming zone from the plant zone, a small hillock is formed - its top is 3 cm lower from the water surface. It can be made from sandbags or gravel. The mound allows water from the swimming area to pass into the plant area, where the water is filtered by the plant roots, and at the same time protects the plants from water fluctuations in the swimming area.


This design of the pond will allow you to conveniently clean the swimming area without affecting the plant area. In addition to purifying the water, the shallow water warms up quickly and serves as a habitat for frogs and other invertebrates, you will appreciate their benefits when they start eating mosquito larvae.

In order to mimic the natural contours of a pond, use a combination of different profiles for its shore. If you have plants on pond terraces, it is better to do this in pots so that they can be easily removed when cleaning the pond.

What size pond is suitable for our site?
The optimal size of the pond is 1/10 of the area of ​​​​your site.

How about mosquitoes?
One of the first questions that arises at the word “pond with your own hands” is mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water, while the water in the pond will never be static, so mosquitoes will find it unattractive for their habitat. Even if at some point they appear, the frog pond ecosystem will reduce their population to a minimum.


Why make a pond in the country?
Do-it-yourself pond people make this decision because they want to see their pond as a beautiful part of the landscape design and still have a clean, inviting place to swim on a hot day.
Is it possible to have fish in the swimming pond?
Unfortunately, fish, on the one hand, eats beneficial microflora with pleasure, on the other hand, it is a carrier of pathogenic bacteria, so there should not be fish in the baths.


Is it possible to make a sandy beach on a pond?
The best solution for entering the pond is walkways or stairs. For a beach entrance to the water, you need enough space, because. the angle of entry into the water is small. In addition, the sand quickly silts up - those beaches that we see are often simply trampled down to the sand, most of the banks of the pond are usually densely overgrown with plants.

Should I swim with frogs?
Yes, frogs are full-fledged and important inhabitants of the pond. Additionally, to purify the water in the pond, it is good to have double-winged toothless shells or barley, which filter water up to 40 liters per day. You can also get snails (coils, livebearers) - they eat dead plants and clean the pond well.

Which the best place for the pond?
It is better to place the pond away from the trees, because. falling, the leaves will rot in the pond. Moreover, growing roots can damage the waterproofing film or tilt the finished container. The illumination of the site should be about 5 hours in the morning, and the rest of the time it should be in partial shade. The pond does not need large illumination. leads to enhanced education algae and overheating of the water in the pond.

What to do with the pond in winter?
In winter, the pond, like natural reservoirs, freezes. You don't need to drain it. For the winter it is necessary to remove all equipment from the pond (pumps, filters, skimmers).

Does the type of soil affect the creation of a pond?
No, the composition of the soil does not affect. There is a misconception that it is good when the groundwater level is high. Actually, ground water at the level of freezing, rather a problem. Freezing, the ice can bulge the bottom of the pond. It is especially problematic if the pond is made on the basis of a rigid finished form.

Do-it-yourself pond from a film.

The main question when creating a pond: how to make it waterproof. There are several types of pond waterproofing - film, clay castle, concrete and rigid form installation.

Rigid mold installation is a simple and durable method, but they usually come in small sizes up to 3.5 square meters. meters. Their service life is 10-50 years.

Waterproofing with concrete is the most expensive, in addition, it needs additional treatment with a frost-resistant agent and liquid glass to protect it from frost.

A clay castle is the cheapest in terms of materials, but the most labor-intensive. In order to waterproof the pit with clay, the compacted soil is covered with wood ash or soot. Then a 15 cm layer of clay dough is applied to the walls, compacted. When the layer dries, a second 30 cm is applied. When the layer is almost dry, crushed stone is poured on it, slightly pressing into the layer.

The optimal solution for the construction of ponds with an area of ​​more than 5-6 sq.m. - film waterproofing.


How much film is needed for the pond:
Film length= pond length + 2 pond depth + 50 cm margin for fasteners.
Film width= width of the pond + 2 depth of the pond + 50 cm margin for fasteners.

The film is produced in widths from 2 to 10 m, length 10-50 m. Knowing your needs, you can choose the optimal roll. The film is bought before digging the pit, this will allow you to cover it immediately when the pit is ready, preventing its edges from shedding.
What kind of film to choose for the pond.
PVC film for a pond is cheaper, but eventually destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, its service life is 8-10 years.
Butyl rubber sheeting is more expensive, but has both UV and cold protection. The service life of such a film is 50 years.

Do-it-yourself pond construction photo.

Do-it-yourself pond begins with marking the pit. The curved shape can be marked with a hose. We remove the sod along the coastline and take out the soil on the bayonet - this will be the line of the swamp zone, then the next level of the earth is taken out inside the resulting border, and so on. As a result, our terraces will be 50 cm wide with slopes of 20 cm. When the pond pit is ready, all hard objects that can damage the film: stones, roots, etc. , remove. We level and ram the walls and bottom of the pit.

Before work, the film is laid for several hours in a sunny place so that it warms up and becomes more elastic. Laying the film is done in warm weather. Overlapped geotextile or felt sheets are laid on the compacted pit, they are needed to protect the waterproofing film from protruding roots and stones over time.


Spread on top of the geotextile waterproofing film with a margin of 50 cm along the edges of the pit. The edges are temporarily fixed with stones. The film is allowed to sag a little, smoothing and leveling it according to the shape of the pit.


The foil inside the swimming area can be protected with dry stacked stones.


Gravel or sand bags can be used instead of stones. But keep in mind that it is more convenient to take care of a pond with film walls. - it is easier to clean it from silt and mud.

In portions, the pit is poured with water, removing air bubbles from under the film.

When the pond is completely filled with water, the ends of the film are securely fixed in a trench, which is made at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the pit. In a trench 20 cm deep, the edges of the film are wrapped in a roll and covered with stones and pebbles.

We make a pond with our own hands. Shore decoration.

After you have made a pond with your own hands, before you start decorating the shore, you need to pour plenty of water on it and wait 2-3 days, because. shrinkage is possible. In addition, during this time, the water in the pond will settle.
We mask the film on the shore with rubble, stones, snags. We plant plants in shallow water. The pond needs plants that saturate the water with oxygen. There are many suitable plants - reeds, meadowsweet, iris, bathing suit, marigold, arrowhead. Any plant that grows on the shore of a natural pond will work for your pond. Don't forget about algae, like hornwort, which just floats in the water. Deciduous ornamental shrubs it is better to plant for marsh grasses, which are planted directly on the shore.


Additional charm is added to the pond backlight.


Floating flower beds look seductive on the surface of the pond.


Pond safety.

If there are very young children in the family, then perhaps the construction of the pond should be postponed until they are older. It is necessary to consider visiting the pond by the elderly and children school age. Do comfortable stairs to enter the pond, do not forget to clean it so that it does not become slippery! All other sides of the pond, except for the entrance, are best covered with plants.

Pond care.

The new pond will take on its natural form throughout the year - while it will form its ecosystem. Small world your pond is very vulnerable. The pond may quickly heat up or freeze, the water may evaporate, or the pond may overflow after rain. This puts a strain on aquatic life that cannot instantly transition to a safer, more stable environment.


Therefore, your pond, like any living organism, requires care. On a hot day, you need to add water, collect garbage that floats on the surface with a net, check whether the plants have grown or perhaps something has not taken root and must be annoyed. However, a surprising number of life forms will colonize your new pond, they will quickly explore new waters and stay if conditions suit them.

The quiet splash of water is the most enchanting melody of a hot summer, water bewitches, attracts and seduces us with a playful play of light, transparent depth and life-giving coolness. A handmade pond will give your cottage a special charm.

Even on small area you can equip a quite decent artificial reservoir, while sacrificing only a few beds. It'll be cheap. In order to create a pond in the country with your own hands, you only need geotextiles, PVC film or polyethylene and a few days of free time.

Choosing a place for an artificial reservoir

When choosing a place for a pond great importance has it illumination. Since aquatic plants require sufficient sunlight, it should not be too shaded. But too much overheating of the water is also undesirable, as this can lead to flowering of the surface.

The most suitable site for placing an artificial reservoir is a place near the fence in the corner of the garden, which is illuminated in the morning, but is in partial shade at noon. Do not place the pond near large trees: growing roots can damage the pit cover. And during leaf fall, you will have to clean the pond from leaves almost daily.

An artificial pond is best placed in partial shade

Pit preparation

The size of an artificial reservoir can be anything - it all depends on the desire of the owner and the free space on the site. But it should be noted that too large a pond will require more care.

1. With the help of driven stakes and a rope, markings are made according to the shape of the pond at the selected place.

2. Sod is removed along the perimeter of the marking.

3. A small pit can be dug with an ordinary shovel. So that the walls of the pit do not crumble, its walls must have slight slope. There is no need to make an artificial reservoir too deep. Minimum depth bowls - 60 cm (plus 30-40 cm for backfilling drainage from crushed stone and sand).

4. If it is planned to launch fish into the pond, its depth should be lower soil freezing level in this climatic region. Otherwise, the water at the bottom will freeze and the fish will die. In the central part of Russia, the soil freezes to a depth of about 1.4-1.5 m.

5. For planting aquatic plants, it is better if the edges of the pit are stepped. The size of each of these steps is 10-15 cm.

Stepped pond pit

6. All large stones and branches are removed from the bottom of the pit, which can damage a not too strong film.

7. At the bottom of the pit falls asleep drainage: crushed stone, and then sand each with a layer of 20 cm and compacted.

8. To protect against soil erosion, a layer of geotextile. It can be replaced with any durable fabric: old carpets, blankets, old oilcloth or roofing material. Laying such a protective layer is carried out with an overlap on the edges of the pit of about 50 cm.

Roofing material laying

9. Next, you can lay on the bottom of the reservoir polyethylene film (shelf life is about 3 years), pvc film(it will last longer, about 15 years) or durable butyl rubber. To prevent damage to the film during filling with water, it must be laid without tension.

A film is laid at the bottom of the pit

10. Do not cut off excess geotextiles and films immediately. They will take the desired shape only after filling the pond with water. It is better to dig along the perimeter of the pit shallow trench, in which it will be possible to lay the edges of the fabric and film and lightly cover with earth.

11. After filling the artificial reservoir with water, stones are laid along its edges, which will not only hold the material lining the bottom of the pond, but also serve as decoration. The edges of such an artificial reservoir can be decorate And decorative tiles, slate, sandstone or other suitable size stones or bricks.

Stones are laid along the edges of the reservoir

12. The area adjacent to the reservoir can be backfilled with gravel or marble chips.

Decoration of the edge of the reservoir

13. In the center or at the edge of the pond, you can install a small artificial the fountain.

14. Along the edges of the reservoir, you can install several small lamps on solar batteries.

Advice. If there is too little space on the site, a small artificial reservoir can be made from an old wheel or bath, buried in the ground and finished with stones along the edge (see photo).

A small artificial pond made from an old bathtub

Pond from an old wheel

Pond cleaning

To clean a large reservoir, you can use the simplest filtration system: a small pumping station from sand filter. Two pipes are drawn into the pond: one serves to take water, from the second, purified water will again flow into the pool. Additional purification can be provided by a small stream filled with sand, through which the filtered water will pass before re-entering the pool. It can flow into the pond along a small waterfall.

Pond filter

It is enough to clean a small pond only once a season by hand. To do this, completely pump out water from it using submersible pump and remove accumulated dirt from the bottom. To clean the pond, you can also use a special vacuum cleaner equipped with a filter, with which you can collect dirt from the bottom.

Pond vacuum cleaner

Advice. If you put a vessel filled with charcoal at the bottom of the pond, the water in it will not bloom for a long time.

Fallen leaves can be collected from the surface of the pond using a net. In autumn, during a strong leaf fall, the reservoir can be covered with a special net. In order to avoid the ingress of dirt for the winter period, the pond is covered with any covering material.

Advice. So that the film does not crack in frost, it is better not to drain the water for the winter. To compensate for the pressure created by the expansion of the ice, several wooden planks or plastic bottles filled with water.

Planting aquatic plants

Aquatic plants serve not only original decoration pond. Bogwort, hornwort, elodea and other plants that can saturate the reservoir with oxygen will help protect the water surface from greening.

Naturally, only those plants that can develop well in a given climatic region should be planted. Can be used to decorate a pond traditional plants: reed, sedge, reed. large plants(lilies, water lilies) will be able to cover the water surface from the bright scorching sun and reduce water heating. Flowering plants that prefer to settle near water bodies include arrowhead, kupena, plakun-grass, fern, bergenia, lungwort, water iris, etc.

Advice. For planting plants, you can use special containers that are placed along the bottom of the pit. In this case, it will be much easier to take care of the plants.

Planting aquatic plants

Video: Do-it-yourself pond in the country