Decorative pond: a spectacular decoration for your garden. How to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands with photos and step-by-step instructions Pond pond

Beautiful pond on garden plot Many summer residents dream of building one. However, not everyone can boast of a large area of land, trying in vain to place a vegetable garden, fruit trees, as well as several flower beds with their favorite flowers. In addition, the construction of a pond involves significant costs, which not everyone can afford.

A small charming pond is not difficult to build yourself

Several options for a small pond

Our photos show various options artificial reservoirs in summer cottages. Among them you can find budget ones and you can choose one of the simplest ones. In addition, the choice of option should be determined by the composition of the soil, as well as the presence free space in the garden or yard. It’s easy to build a mini pond with your own hands if you have the appropriate building materials on hand. Available materials can serve as the main argument in finding a solution.

Film pond - a universal solution

To prevent water from escaping from a homemade pond, it must be sealed. A good way is to use film. If you want to save money, you can use leftover plastic film that was purchased for greenhouses, but such a pond will only last a few years.

If it is possible to purchase a butyl rubber-based film, which is designed specifically for constructing ponds, the life of the pond will significantly increase. A compromise option is dense polyvinyl chloride film.

It happens that the remnants of the film are scattered pieces - in this case they can be glued together to obtain a coating of the desired size. To do this, it is advisable to use a special glue, which can also be used to seal cuts and other material defects.

A film pond allows you to build a pond of any shape and size

In addition to the main material, you will need sand, geotextile and stones. To arrange a pond with your own hands, you should act according to the plan:

Mark the area for the pond. You should not arrange it right in the garden next to fruit trees. It is advisable to choose a flat surface so that the bank levels are the same height - otherwise the water from the pond will pour out on one side.
Dig a pit, making sure that its walls are flat, which will allow the banks not to crumble during operation. The angle of inclination of the pit walls should be up to 45˚. If desired, the banks can be made into ledges.
Next, you need to carefully compact the bottom of the pit, and then fill it with sand to a height of 5–10 cm. Lay a piece of geofabric on the sand; some craftsmen replace it with old blankets.
Now the pond can be lined with film. This should be done slowly, trying to immediately straighten any wrinkles that arise. Place the edges of the covering on the banks.
You need to pour water into the reservoir in parts, this will prevent the coating from tearing. It is recommended to take a two-hour break between each stage.
Once again we check the level of the banks and, if necessary, level them by adding soil. We secure the waterproofing along the entire shore using stones.

Important: it is best to work with film in the summer, on a hot day. This will make all manipulations with the material easier, since it will be softer.

A small pond made of a plastic bowl under guard

Plastic bowl - quick and easy

If you don’t want to work with film, you can speed up the work on building a small pond. To do this, you should choose a ready-made PVC bowl. Similar containers are sold in construction stores and may vary in shape and size. In addition, plastic inserts differ markedly in price and quality. Low-quality plastic quickly breaks down under the influence of frost and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The choice is yours. Below are instructions for installing a reservoir with your own hands:

First you need to mark the place for the pit. To do this, drive pegs around the perimeter (corners) and tie them with rope. Perform marking more sizes bowls 20cm on all sides. Dig a pit with a depth equal to the height of the bowl plus 20cm.
Now you need to fill the bottom of the hole with sand, achieving a flat surface - this can be checked using a level. Moisten the sand and compact it. Next, place the bowl in the pit, trying to ensure that its edges are level with the surface of the earth.
When the bowl is installed, it is necessary to pour sand between its side parts and the walls of the pit (in the same reserve of 20 cm). The sand should be poured in and compacted lightly as the bowl is filled with water. This will avoid deformation of the tank walls.
You should not pour water into the bowl all at once, but in small portions. A sudden load on the plastic can lead to distortion and damage.

The easiest way to make a small pond is from a plastic bowl

Concrete pit - a reliable option

The method of constructing an artificial pond from concrete is suitable for those who know how to work with concrete. Such a pond has an undoubted advantage over its counterparts - it is reliable and durable. However, it will not be possible to move it to another place; therefore, before starting work, it is worth thinking carefully about its configuration and choosing the most suitable place on the site. Let's take a closer look at how to build a concrete pond with your own hands:

The pit under the pond should be made with ledges. Let its walls be flat; here it is also important to adhere to an angle of up to 45˚. The hole needs to be compacted well.
Next, you need to fill in the sand, but the layer should be small - 3 cm is enough. On top of the sand you need to lay a film of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, which should not be pulled too tightly.
It is necessary to lay concrete starting from the walls, and only then move to the bottom. It is important to complete this work within one day to avoid cracking of the concrete at the joints.
Next, you need to wait until the composition hardens slightly, and then press a metal mesh into it to reinforce the concrete. This must be done so that the edges of the mesh protrude above the surface of the reservoir.
After the concrete has completely dried, it is necessary to pour the next layer. Before starting work on the second layer, the lower concrete must be sprinkled with water. Experts recommend at this moment to check the bottom surface to ensure that it is horizontal.

As soon as upper layer When the concrete is completely dry, you can pour water into the pool. Then start decorating it - planting plants on the banks, introducing fish or arranging lighting.

Miniature pond plus scrap materials

Budget options for creating ponds in the countryside involve using all kinds of available materials, instead of buying a bowl or film. Some craftsmen build a pond from an old cast iron or children's bathtub, while others were able to adapt a car tire or an old basin. The pond will turn out to be quite small, but caring for the mini pond is not difficult. It is easier to change the water than in a large tank, and with the help of plants in tubs and decorative stones it can be easily turned into a blooming oasis.

Preparing a pit for a pond from a bathtub

After many years of use, the bathtub loses its original appearance. If there is no through holes, it can be used at the dacha for a makeshift pond. To build a small pond without high costs, you need:

First you need to mark the place under the pond, and then add 10 centimeters on each side. Dig a pit, the depth of which will be 20 cm greater than the height of the bath.
Now you need to mark at the bottom of the hole the place where the bowl drain will be located. There you need to dig a hole with a diameter of 30 cm and a depth of half a meter. This will be drainage. You need to insert a rolled sheet of metal into a cylindrical hole and fill it with crushed stone. The edge of the metal should protrude 15-25cm above the pit.
After preparing the drainage, you need to make a “cushion” for the bath, which will allow it not to sag over time. To do this, a layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the pit and sand on top. This pillow should be about 20cm high. All this must be thoroughly compacted, after which the sheet of metal should be removed.

If the bathtub is installed correctly, the pond will last for many years

Pit for a two-level pond

If you decide to build a pond from an old bathtub, you can make it quite unusual. We propose to create a two-level pond with your own hands, the construction of which will require a little more effort. Work plan, step by step:

Before digging a pit for a bathtub, you need to mark the area, adding half a meter on each side. The external outlines should be slightly modified - make this line wavy, giving it a contour reminiscent of the natural outlines of a lake.
Now you can start digging a pit. To do this, you need to dig a hole 30-40 cm deep, focusing on the external contours. Next, at the bottom of the dug pit, you need to mark the outline for the bathtub and deepen the pit under the bowl as described above. That is, the total depth of the pit will be greater than in the first option by the same 30-40 cm.
When the bathtub is installed, the outer contour of the reservoir should be limited by fiberglass slate. A corrugated hose must be placed on the edge of the slate.
Next, the space that has formed between the bathtub and the slate must be filled with sand and compacted, or filled with concrete.
The bowl must be covered with film, forming a single pool for water. The film should be secured with stones.

A two-level pond is more difficult to make, but no one will guess that a bathtub is used in the pond

Installing a bath

After preparing the place for the bath, bricks should be laid at the bottom of the pit - several bricks in each corner, on which the bath is installed. This precaution will prevent the bulky container from sagging. Next, you should check how level the bathtub is installed and make sure that its edge is level with the ground. There is empty space between the walls of the bathtub and the pit. It must be covered with sand, which must be moistened and compacted thoroughly.

Mini pond made from a tire

If it is possible to use old tire, you can easily and quickly build a miniature tire pond with your own hands. A tire from a KAMAZ wheel or tractor will make it possible to make the reservoir much larger.

First you need to dig a pit of such a size that the tire can easily fit into it. Before installing it in the hole, you need to cut off the top of the rubber with a knife. You should end up with a bowl with a hole at the bottom. Next, you need to take the film, cover the bottom and sides of the tire with it, bringing the edges up. They need to be tucked over the edges of the tank. All that remains is to pour water into the finished tire pool and decorate its edges with plants and stones. In a similar way, you can build a pond from a plastic basin.

A tire pond will not take up much space and will be an excellent garden decoration.

Several ways to decorate a pond

Today there are many ways to decorate a mini pond. Among them are the installation of plaster figures on its banks, the laying of decorative stones and tiles. Any body of water will be decorated with greenery, which can be placed around it directly in flowerpots. In other cases, soil is poured on the banks of the lake, interspersed with stones. Moisture-loving perennials are planted in the ground, which over time form beautiful thickets on the shore.

A small waterfall and beautiful lilies will decorate and enliven the pond

If you want to plant aquatic plants, you need to ensure that they do not grow too much. Otherwise, the surface of the pond will be completely covered with greenery. Experts recommend using water hyacinth for this purpose.

You can also decorate the pond with a bridge and install lanterns around it. Another way to enliven the water of an artificial pond is a fountain or waterfall. All this can be built later, the main thing is to take into account the possibility of modernizing the pond at the stage of choosing a place for the pond.

Surely every summer resident has thought at least once how great it would be to have a pond on his own property, because it’s so nice to sit by the water at sunset and enjoy the pleasant evening coolness. It is quite possible to bring this dream to life on your own; you just need to familiarize yourself with the features of the technology for constructing an artificial reservoir, and you can get to work. Next we will look in detail at how to make a pond in the country.

Where to begin

So, you have finally decided to decorate your site with an artificial pond. But how to make the pond on summer cottage harmoniously complement the surrounding landscape, while being durable and not a problem area that requires constant maintenance? To do this, you need to approach construction in stages, carefully thinking through every step, down to the most insignificant details.

You need to start arranging a pond at your dacha with preparatory stages, which we will look at below.

Style selection

First of all, you need to decide how to design a pond in your dacha so that it does not stand out from the overall picture of the landscape. Picking up style decision, you should focus on the architectural design country house and the existing garden layout.

It is advisable to carry out the coastline and the blind area of the paths in one key with the design of the entire garden plot. In this case, the bowl of the reservoir can be supplemented with a waterfall or decorative stream.

If the pond is located in the depths of the garden, near the gazebo or, then great solution is a landscape pond with natural contours. For example, it can be made in the “nature garden” style, which involves planting only local plants that are characteristic of a given region. In this case, any exoticism will be inappropriate.

Another interesting solution- design country pond in lush Chinese style. In this case, do not forget to make a curved bridge and highlight the tree with variegated foliage.

The more restrained Japanese style is also popular; its characteristic elements are boulders of various types. Unlike chinese style, Japanese lacks multi-colored forbs.

If the mini pond at the dacha will be located next to the house, then it is better to give preference to geometric shapes. A formal pond in a rectangular or square shape will highlight the horizontal and vertical lines of the structure. In addition, such a pond will look good next to the patio, especially if there are straight flower beds nearby.

It must be said that formal ponds also include round ponds, which can be an excellent decoration for an open lawn or lawn. In addition, such a pond can be located near a picturesque group of trees.

It should be noted that it is easiest to make a round pond with your own hands, since for this you can use concrete rings or plastic containers.

A recently popular technique in landscape design is laying paths from decking boards, which are thrown across the pond in the form of a broken geometric bridge. In addition, the path through the reservoir can be made of concrete square slabs, which seem to float above the water surface.

Cascades also always look interesting different sizes, where water flows from one bowl to another through small waterfalls.

Selection of location and dimensions

The location of the pond will determine how long it will function without seasonal flowering. The thing is that green algae are activated under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, part of the day the pond should be shaded, so that algae will not reproduce as actively.

However, completely shade artificial pond You shouldn’t go to the dacha either, as this will have a negative impact on development ornamental plants. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a golden mean.

Note!
The pond should be illuminated for about five hours a day, and it should be left open from the southwest.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that it is undesirable to locate the pond under shady trees, since falling leaves are a source of pollution.

Another important point that needs to be decided is the size of the reservoir. Ideally, it should occupy 3 percent of the site area. At the same time than smaller sizes pond, the easier it is to build and the less materials required. Accordingly, the price of the project will depend on the size.

Therefore, before deciding on the width and length of the reservoir, it is necessary to take into account the following points:

As for the depth of the pond, it should be divided into three stages:

Materials

Before you start building a pond at your dacha, you also need to decide on the materials that will be needed for this. The most expensive, but at the same time the most capital option is to fill the base with concrete. In this case, you will need to perform formwork and reinforcement.

A less expensive option would be to use a ready-made plastic container that is dug into the ground. However, the size and shape of the reservoir in this case will be limited by the choice of container.

The most convenient and at the same time, the most a budget option construction of a pond involves the use of a special moisture-resistant film that is laid on the bottom and wall of the pond. I must say that this option has been the most common one lately, so let’s take it as a basis.

Construction of a reservoir

Before digging a pond at your dacha, it is advisable to sketch out a plan on paper to scale, indicating all the dimensions and depth of the pit. This will allow you to avoid mistakes and alterations when arranging the reservoir. At this stage, you can also think about an accent for the composition of the future lake; it could be a large stone, tree or sculpture.

Further instructions for constructing a pond are as follows:

First of all, it is necessary to outline the boundaries of the future reservoir and level the banks so that they are located on the same level.
Then you can start excavation work. First, you need to dig a pit to the depth of the first tier and mark a line from which the pond will deepen to the second tier. Next, you need to dig the second tier and also apply markings, from which the deepest hole is dug.

When the pit is ready, use a cord to measure its dimensions, taking into account the depth and an allowance of about 50 cm. This size will be needed when purchasing film, which should be enough to completely cover the pit.
Next, the bottom is covered with geotextiles, which helps protect the waterproof film from damage. As an alternative to this material, you can use linoleum, roofing felt or even sand.
A waterproof film is laid over the geotextile.

In the photo - laying oilcloth

To arrange the edges of the reservoir, an auxiliary trench should be dug around the perimeter, which will allow you to tuck and secure the film. Having laid the edges of the film in the trench, it must be fixed by filling the trench with crushed stone.
After this, it is necessary to strengthen the edge of the pond with stone blocks. This will prevent soil from falling from the coastal zone into the reservoir. For example, you can lay out the edge natural stone and then decorate with a single block or a group of boulders.

Then the bottom of the pond must be lined with stones and gravel. Prepared plants should be placed in plastic containers and placed on clumps. You can also fill the bottom with soil and plant river plants on the bottom.
After this, you can pour water into the reservoir. In order to select pumping equipment and the required amount of hydrochemicals to care for the pond in the future, you should take meter readings before and after filling the bowl.

To prevent water from stagnating, it is advisable to equip the reservoir with a stream that will ensure its circulation. The source of the stream should be located above the level of the pond. Water is supplied to it from the reservoir using a submersible pump.
Natural stones can be used to decorate the river mouth.

Then it is installed at the bottom submersible pump, a pipeline is being stretched to the source of the stream. In this case, you should use a filter to purify the water.

Advice!
In progress earthworks a problem will arise - where to put the earth taken out of the pit?
Most best option The solution to this problem is to evenly distribute the soil throughout the entire area, and thus raise its level.

Your homemade pond at the dacha is ready. Now you just need to carefully care for it - use products to revitalize the water, and also periodically clean it of contaminants. Container plants should be stored in the basement for the winter.

If the pond is located near the gazebo, it should be illuminated, which will allow you to admire the landscape at night.

Advice!
If there is no electricity at the dacha, you can install a diesel generator.
Of course, this equipment is quite expensive, however, renting a diesel generator for a summer residence will solve this problem.

The main mistakes when arranging artificial reservoirs

At self-construction anything, it is quite difficult to avoid mistakes.

Decorating the shore with stones of the same diameter, as a result of which the pond looks boring. It is advisable to combine large stones with small ones, however, do not fill the entire coastal zone with them.

Making the reservoir very deep, with steep walls. This design looks unnatural and resembles a stone bag. Therefore, you should not make the pond very deep, especially if you do not plan to breed fish in it.
Craving for container gardening, which interferes with the normal development of plants. Container planting is good because it allows you to quickly change the design of the pond if desired, since the plants can be quickly regrouped, but planting algae will make the pond more lively. Algae is especially necessary if you plan to breed fish.

Advice!
If you bought a plot for a summer cottage without buildings, then first of all you should build a house.
This process is quite lengthy, however, if you want to arrange your dacha as quickly as possible, we will help you with this country houses from a block of containers.
Their installation takes much less time than building a conventional house.

Conclusion

Every home craftsman can build a pond on a summer cottage. The most important thing is to approach this matter competently, so that the pond really becomes a decoration of the site and at the same time does not take up too much of your time for constant care. Therefore, when performing work, you should adhere to the above technology.

From the video in this article you can get Additional information on this topic.

Reservoirs occupy a special place in the landscape design of garden plots: they have magic. The garden area is transformed and looks noticeably more interesting if there is a beautiful garden pond on the site. A small pond is visible from different points of the garden; it is pleasant to relax near it, enjoy the coolness and contemplation of the water surface, surrounded by picturesque vegetation. One of the most simple ways to create a pond on your site is to use a ready-made structure made in the form of a polymer bowl. How to choose and install plastic pond for a summer cottage on a personal plot?

Options and shapes of containers

Plastic containers for ponds of all sizes are available for sale. Assess the size of your site so that the created pond looks appropriate. On small area A compact design will look good. Large plastic ponds are mainly installed in large garden areas. For the construction of artificial reservoirs, plastic forms are used that are easy to install and maintain. The pond bowl can be made of several types of material:

Polyethylene. Such an artificial reservoir has a small capacity, usually in the range of 130-900 liters of water. Stationary molds made of high-quality polyethylene will last for many years if handled and used carefully. The decorative pond is neutral to ultraviolet exposure, easy to maintain and install. However, such a plastic product requires careful handling during transportation and installation - a plastic pond bowl cannot withstand repeated bending and impacts.
Pond containers made of polypropylene. The product is characterized by high strength, flexibility and ductility. Such a reservoir has a long service life - up to twenty years. Polypropylene is characterized by high temperature resistance. The polypropylene bowl has perfect tightness; no additional waterproofing is needed.
Fiberglass structures. In terms of technical and operational characteristics, glass fiber is superior to polyethylene and polypropylene. If cracks form, the pond bowl can be repaired special compounds. The service life of garden ponds made of fiberglass is 20-30 years. The material is resistant to temperature changes, exposure to ultraviolet rays, lightweight and reliable in use. Fiberglass bowls can have great volume and depth.

How to choose a place for a pond

In different parts of the garden, the degree of illumination is not the same. When choosing the most suitable place To create a decorative pond, you should avoid completely open areas, since in bright light algae will grow intensively in the water. Also avoid areas with tall vegetation growing nearby if you do not want to waste your time fighting leaves and debris falling into the water. It is not recommended to place a plastic pond in the countryside near outbuildings: not the most attractive “picture” will be reflected in the mirror surface of the water.

When installing the bowl, take into account several key points:

garden pond You should not build on hills and slopes; it is better to choose flat areas. This helps to avoid pressure on the walls of the bowl, which can deform the structure.
An area covered with turf, located near a low bush, is suitable for constructing a reservoir. Small plants do not block the view and sunlight.
Exclude places with tall trees– leaves fly off them, needles fall off and fall into the pond. Branched roots interfere with digging a pit for plastic bowls.
Far corners of the garden that obscure the view of the water are not suitable. Since the pond at the dacha will become central element site, it must be viewed from different points.
IN daytime plastic containers should be exposed to sunlight for no more than six hours. Direct and prolonged exposure to light leads to flowering and evaporation of water.
For convenient access to water, paths and paths are laid out. Benches, benches and gazebos are installed near the artificial plastic pond.
When choosing a plastic structure, take into account the size of the garden plot. For small areas, a pond bowl with a depth of up to a meter and an area of 3x3 meters is suitable.

Note: you can breed fish in plastic reservoirs, but for them to live comfortably in the water you need containers of a sufficiently large size.
A pond bowl usually has multi-level steps, cascades and recesses. They can be used to decorate a pond with aquatic plants.

Installation of a plastic pond

An artificial reservoir is installed in a prepared pit; the dug hole should follow the curves of the shape. If the structure is small, it is turned upside down and the outline is beaten out with pegs. For large ponds, markings are made after measuring the bowl. To install a pond in the garden, you need construction tools and materials: pegs, level, shovel, sand and finishing products - stones, slate, gravel, flagstone.

How to install a plastic pond:

Important: the cavities between the pit and the plastic mold must be compacted well with damp sand, while simultaneously increasing the water level in the container. This is necessary so that the walls of the plastic pond do not deform from the pressure of wet sand. After one to three days, when the container has settled thoroughly in the pit, they begin decorating the area near the water.

A composition with a pond in a garden plot gives the landscape a special zest. Even without mastering artistic design skills, you can decorate your site in an impressive and unusual way by digging in plants and placing decorative elements. For small plastic ponds, it is best to avoid piling up large rocks. tall plants excluded so that they do not interfere with the view of the water. Recommendations:

The protruding edges of the plastic form are covered with stones to give the banks a natural look.
Plants surrounding plastic mold for a pond, they must be moisture-loving and have a small height.
To decorate the banks, choose large round stones or flagstone
Large reservoirs are decorated with large serpentine cobblestones, flagstone, and fine gravel.
If volume allows, you can arrange a fountain or waterfall in a reservoir using special pumps.
Aquatic plants are populated in a plastic container; if desired, fish are bred in the pond.

Rules of care and use

The attractiveness of a plastic structure for a summer residence is that it is not necessary to drain the water from the reservoir in the winter. Containers can withstand low temperature up to -30°C. The bowls of ponds with a depth of more than 80 cm do not freeze in mid-latitude climates.

How to care for a plastic pond:

The bowl is periodically cleaned of excess algae and silt; this can be done without draining the water. However, in case of serious contamination or rotting of the water, it may be necessary to completely drain it using a pump, thoroughly clean the bowl and fill it with fresh water.
To prevent water from stagnating and blooming, it is advisable to ensure its constant circulation using pumping equipment and water purification filters.
If leaves, twigs and petals get into the water, they need to be removed. In the fall, you can cover the bowl with a net - then collecting garbage is much easier.

Caring for an artificial pond does not require much time and effort. A decorative plastic pond fits perfectly into the landscape design and gives it aesthetic appeal. Thanks to the variety of shapes, interesting design ideas can be realized. A decorative pond is a luxury available to everyone.

The most common artificial decorative reservoirs in summer cottages are ponds and swimming pools. small pond everyone can afford it. Everything depends not so much on financial capabilities, but on desire and hard work. An artificially created pond can have absolutely any shape, just like in nature. Marsh plants are usually planted along the perimeter of such ponds; it goes well with any type of landscape design. You can make a pond of a certain geometric shape; such a pond will fit well into the design idea, in which clear, regular shapes also predominate.

To create an artificial reservoir at your dacha, the most important task is to choose its future location and size. It should be remembered that the condition of the pond is poorly affected by direct sunlight for more than 6 hours a day (long-term exposure can stimulate the growth of bacteria), as well as the close proximity of trees - leaves falling into the water will pollute the pond, and tree roots can completely destroy the structure of the reservoir .

The size of the pond depends directly on how much free space there is in the garden plot. But it is worth remembering that the larger the pond, the easier it is to create a stable ecosystem, that is, a balance between the animal and plant worlds in the reservoir, therefore it is easier to care for a large reservoir than a small one.

At the base of the future reservoir there can be either a ready-made container (for example, an old cast iron bath or any plastic container), or a film made of polyvinyl chloride or butyl rubber, or even a reinforced concrete bowl.

Of course, using a ready-made container makes it easier and faster to make a pond. For the existing container, simply dig a hole and place it there. It is, of course, impossible to make a large reservoir in this way.

Using film you can make a pond of any shape and depth. Although this option will require a fair amount of tinkering, it is more economical and convenient. It is not recommended to use ordinary polyethylene for film reservoirs, since it has short term operation, after a couple of years it will lose its properties.

A reinforced concrete bowl at the base is the most reliable way to create a pond. However, this option is the most expensive, and it will be very difficult to remake such a decorative pond at the dacha with your own hands.

So, due to the many options in size and shape and cost-effectiveness, the most common type of dacha ponds are ponds created using film.

To create such a pond, you need to complete several steps:

Preparing the bottom of the future reservoir (pit). The main thing for film reservoirs is to create a flat bottom, without stones, roots and other sharp protrusions, so as not to damage the film.
Drainage. To prevent shrinkage, place a layer of sand on the bottom. To protect against rodents, it is also recommended to lay a geotextile layer.
Laying the film.
Pouring water.
Decor. Here everything depends on the designer’s imagination.
Pond care. It should be remembered that artificial reservoirs Filtration is necessary to prevent water stagnation. For these purposes, either special filtration systems are used, or plants are placed in the pond that can saturate the water with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and mineral salts.

A combination of these methods can be used. On winter period water should be removed from the pond, and the plants should be sent to an aquarium or a large pond located nearby to overwinter.

DIY artificial decorative ponds

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to open the summer season. To make your work at your dacha easier and to improve your dacha plot, you can build an artificial pond on it. An artificial pond will decorate your site, and will also serve as a source for watering plants, swimming, and breeding fish.

Ponds on the site can be of different geometric shapes, but they must be raised above the soil level. When building a pond, as with any other construction, you need to adhere to a certain algorithm. First you need to determine the location of the artificial pond on your summer cottage. It is recommended to place it not far from trees and shrubs in an area with turf.

Trees and shrubs should be located at least 1.5 - 2 meters from the pond, so that tree roots do not distort the landscape of the pond, and fallen leaves do not litter it. Provide free access to the pond from all sides, make paths around it. Paths can be lined with stones or plastic plugs.

This will make the appearance of the pond more aesthetically pleasing. The pond should be located on a sunny, but slightly dark side, so that the water in it does not heat up too much. Strong heating of the water will promote flowering of the pond and rapid growth seaweed

Once the location has been chosen, construction can begin. First you need to dig a pit of the desired shape. Its depth should be at least one meter, total area 3-4 sq. m.

When constructing an artificial reservoir, a difficult dilemma arises: “What should the bottom be made of?” You can make the bottom of the reservoir by filling it with concrete, laying it out with granite or even marble. But this will require large financial investments and will make the pond unnatural; also, when redeveloping the garden, changing the position of such a pond will be problematic.

Therefore, bottom planning must be taken very seriously. The following design will be convenient and practical. Pour sand into the bottom of the pit and distribute it evenly. Cover the bottom of the pit with a waterproof film on top of the sand. We fix the edges of the film along the shore line.

Be sure to use heavy stones to strengthen it, and then fill the edges with river pebbles or gravel. Ready-made plastic containers, which already have recesses for planting, are also very convenient for organizing the bottom.

We install a pump in the pond to circulate water and provide artificial lighting. So that the pond would please your eyes even in the evening. After the pond is built, it must be decorated with plants and decorative elements. To do this, we plant the plants in baskets, which we strengthen at the bottom of the pond. Water lilies, lilies, and egg capsules can also serve as a good decorative element for your pond.

Lilies on a decorative pond

If you wish, you can populate the pond with fish, but keep in mind that the fish will need to be looked after and the pond must be cleaned in a timely manner. A properly equipped and organized artificial pond will decorate and enhance your area.

How to make a reservoir - a pond on a plot, in a dacha - video instructions

How to care for an artificial pond

It’s not enough to create on your own summer cottage small pond- it still requires care, without the owner’s care it will turn into a dirty swamp which will then dry up over time. To prevent this from happening, experts advise what and when to do so that the pond is always colorful.

Spring
It is recommended to carry out the first inspection of the year as soon as the ice melts - from mid to late March. This is the most favorable working hours in the garden and in the beds have not yet begun, so you can thoroughly and slowly examine the entire pond. Everything must be inspected, starting with appearance— how the banks survived the winter, are they intact?

If the fish spent the winter in a deep pond, their condition is checked to see if they are alive. It is necessary to pay attention to all electrical devices - how filters and pumps work. The integrity of the bottom must be checked - if a leak or crack appears, the fish will be temporarily resettled and the damage repaired.

At the same time, at the end of March you can take care of plants. If the owners are satisfied with the plants they had last year, plant them; if it is necessary to update the plants, purchase new ones. Also don't forget about the garden.

After the autumn winds, a lot of foliage blew into the pond - in the spring it must be removed so that the rotting leaves do not spoil the quality of the water - this can affect the health and life of the fish. If the pond is small, they practice pumping out water, relocating fish and cleaning the walls and bottom with a regular brush. Dirty water is drained and replaced with clean water.

Summer
The most important and current problem For summer period in a pond - maintaining the water level. The spring maintenance of the pond ended with the stabilization of order, and in the summer it is only necessary to maintain this order. When the water level drops due to evaporation, the water is pumped up; if the days are too hot, the oxygen level in the water is artificially increased using compressors and creating shade.

The second action near the pond in the summer is to check the condition of the plants - their growth, and trim them if necessary. If there are weeds in the plants, they are removed. Insect control is also carried out - it is better to wash them off in water - the fish will receive fresh food and the leaves of the plants will be freed from dust. After each feeding of the fish, the remaining food in the pond is checked and removed so that it does not spoil the quality of the water.

Autumn
With the onset of autumn and the beginning of leaf fall, the most important thing in caring for a pond is to preserve it from contamination by leaves and debris carried by the wind. Fallen leaves are systematically removed, plants on the shore are trimmed, and a fine mesh is hung over the pond to prevent leaves from falling onto the water.

Plants that have sprouted buds are removed until spring in a warm room. If there are pots with plants near the pond, they are also brought into a warm room. The fish are fed - for the winter it must have reserves of nutrients and fat reserves, since the fish are not active in the winter - this will be enough for it for the winter.

Winter
A shallow pond that can freeze to the bottom and kill the fish is pumped out. The fish are temporarily moved indoors until spring. If the fish winter in a pond, it is necessary to provide for the creation of wormwood - either by placing a hot object on the ice or by drilling out the wormwood. In winter, if necessary, you can heat the water.

Relaxing in the country is a favorite pastime for many people. The only thing that can compete with him is a trip to the shore of a reservoir. By installing an artificial pond in your dacha, you can get an excellent place to get rid of fatigue and relaxation. Moreover, it will not be possible to build an artificial pond with your own hands. special labor, you just need a little persistence and imagination.

Types of reservoirs

Depending on what functionality you plan to provide to the pond you have built, artificial reservoirs can be divided into several categories.

Pool

This category includes artificial reservoirs of significant size. Such a pond, built at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo, has not only decorative properties, but also allows you to refresh yourself, or even swim, without leaving the site.

Pond with fish

A pond for breeding fish is suitable not only for fishing enthusiasts. Your family members, especially children, will enjoy spending time at the lake, watching the bright and beautiful fish.

Mini pond in the country

A small pond that is an element of the landscape composition. Performs exclusively decorative functions and does not involve placing a recreation area around it.

Decorative pond in the garden

A garden pond, built with your own hands, which is the central place of the recreation area. The combination of sufficient size and beautiful design will not only please the eyes, but will also give pleasant coolness on a hot day.

Style

Having decided on the functionality of the reservoir, it is worth moving on to choosing the style in which the decorative pond at the dacha will be executed. There are two main options.

Formal (regular) pond. An artificial reservoir of strict geometric shape. Ideal if you want to emphasize geometric shapes building or the site itself. Creates a sense of order and looks appropriate next to geometrically correct flower beds, lawns and other decorative elements on the site.
Landscape pond at the dacha. It is carried out in any form and fits very easily into the surrounding landscape. This option fits any style and looks as natural as possible. Its construction requires significantly less effort than equipping a geometric reservoir.

Selecting a location

Great importance when organizing a pond at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article, it has the terrain. On flat areas You can place a pond in a garden of any style and size. Uneven areas create more difficulties when deciding how to make an artificial pond, but at the same time they can serve as natural cascades and elevations for waterfalls.

It is necessary to build a pond with a fountain at the dacha with your own hands in an open area so that the pond is clearly visible from every corner of the dacha. Depth groundwater, the qualitative composition of the soil can affect the permissible depth of the reservoir, as well as the complexity of the work and use additional materials. When thinking about how to build a pond at your dacha with your own hands, in addition to the terrain, you should take into account a number of others important points.

Compatibility with the environment. A mini pond at the dacha, visible from all sides, should be combined with buildings and green spaces on the site.
Illumination of the area. It is preferable to choose the most shaded place on the site for the location of the reservoir. This will prevent increased water evaporation. In addition, with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, there is a high probability of active development of microorganisms in the water, which will negatively affect the aesthetic component.
Environment. Do not overuse vegetation near an artificial pond. Long and thick roots big trees Over time, they can lead to damage to the insulating layer, which in turn will require repairs and putting the reservoir in order. Leaves falling into the water from tree branches located too close to the pond can cause siltation and will require regular cleaning. On clear days, nearby trees or buildings will be reflected on the surface of the water. Therefore, you should worry about a beautiful exterior in advance so that your gaze does not fall on a rickety shed or a dry fallen tree.
Expansion of the reservoir. In the future, you may think about the need to increase the area of the reservoir, additional functional and decorative elements. Therefore, it is worthwhile to provide in advance a place for a possible expansion of the reservoir at the dacha with your own hands.
Electrification. If you are planning to install lighting next to or directly in a pond, or placing an electric fountain or other movable structures, you should worry about laying all the necessary electrical wiring in advance. It is best to place wires underground, protecting them with durable boxes or corrugation.

Size selection

Having chosen a place on the site that will occupy a pond in the garden, you should decide on the size of the future reservoir. Landscape design specialists do not give clear recommendations in this regard. However, a decorative pond built with your own hands on a summer cottage should not occupy more than 8-10% of the area of the plot, because more large design will look like a bulky and alien object.

The depth of a pond in the garden depends on the purposes for which it is created, as well as on the capabilities of the owner, who equips the pond with his own hands on the site. The photos below will help you make your choice.

Selection of materials

When arranging ponds on your summer cottage with your own hands, you should approach the choice of material with the utmost care. There are many options as to what material is best to use to arrange small pond at the dacha with your own hands.

The photos in the article and the list below highlight the following main categories.

Concrete pond

A capital structure, which is the most expensive option for arranging a pond in a country house. To the advantages of using of this material can be attributed to increased strength and durability of use.

Plastic container

An industrially made mold made of high-strength plastic allows you to solve the question in the shortest possible time: how to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands. Various shapes and dimensions allow you to choose an option suitable for the most demanding owner.

PVC film or polyethylene film

The use of these materials makes it possible to create a garden pond with your own hands of absolutely any shape. The disadvantages of this material include low resistance to external influences, and how short service life

Butyl rubber membrane

A do-it-yourself garden pond made from such a film will please the eye longer than the decorative pond in the photo below made of polyethylene or PVC. When planning how to make a pond on your site with your own hands, it is worth considering that the service life of the membrane reaches 50 years, and the increased resistance of butyl rubber to severe frosts makes it a very advantageous material.

To save money, you can use various available materials. Old bathtub, basin or car tire for a mini pond - these and other “folk” remedies are used to create ponds in the country. Our photo gallery will suggest others original ideas.

Necessary equipment

Depending on the functionality of the reservoir and the material from which it will be made, the following tools may be required during the creation process: a shovel, a cart for transporting excess soil, a level, pegs and a strong cord for marking, as well as a hose for watering. This set of tools will be enough to place mini ponds in your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo above. If the planned pond in the garden is of significant size, it is worth assessing the feasibility of using construction equipment. For a pond intended for fish breeding or designed for a particularly long service life, installation of additional equipment:

An aerator that saturates the water with oxygen necessary for fish.
Pump for filling or draining water.
Cleaning filter.
A device for sterilizing water and removing dead algae.

Details of creating a pond from film

PVC film, due to its performance qualities and relatively low cost, is one of the most popular materials for pond construction. In addition, in order to make a pond with your own hands from PVC film, no special skills or special knowledge are required.

To equip reservoirs, you should not use films with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, and if you plan to create a particularly deep reservoir, it is better to take a film with the maximum available thickness.

The use of multi-colored film allows you to achieve different optical effects: black will make the bottom of the reservoir mirror-like, and it will clearly reflect standing nearby trees and buildings, a brown film is perfect for simulating a soil bottom, and a film of light blue or cream tones will make the reservoir as transparent as possible, which will allow you to conveniently observe the movement of fish.

The selected film should be cut so that it covers the bottom and walls of the reservoir, leaving a margin of up to one meter. The cut pieces must be joined with specialized glue or adhesive tape for such work.

Before digging a pit, you need to carefully consider the size, shape of the bottom and walls of the reservoir. If you plan to create a complex multi-stage design, it is better to first draw on a sheet of paper detailed diagram indicating all sizes.

Having marked the selected area, we begin to dig a hole. It is better to remove soil in the direction from the edges of the future reservoir to the center, gradually going deeper to the required limits. The bottom and walls of the finished pit must be carefully examined for the detection of foreign objects, sharp roots, etc. Any debris found must be removed to prevent damage to the film. We lay the prepared film on the compacted bottom of the pits, fixing it with stones and sprinkling the edges with soil.

Next, you need to strengthen the banks of the pond. For this you can use various materials. For flat banks, a geogrid or polymer grid is suitable; you can also use a regular chain-link mesh. For vertical banks, the use of piles or supports will be required.

You can complete the design of the pond by adding various decorative elements, planting plants and installing underwater or outdoor lighting.

Decoration with plants

When decorating a pond in the garden with plants, you should understand that they are divided into those that are planted on the shore along the edges of the pond, and plants that live directly in the water. The root system of shore plants will additionally strengthen the walls of the pond. When planting plants in a pond in the garden, it is important to keep in mind the speed of their growth, otherwise, after a long absence, there is a risk of finding a pond completely covered with a thick carpet of vegetation.

Decor

In order to decorate a pond in the yard with your own hands, except various plants, beautiful stones and other decorative elements, the use of lighting gives a good effect. The colored glow spreading from under the water will create a wonderful decoration for your pond at night. Additional lighting Can also be placed above water.

You can use various fountains as decor for decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article. The functioning of the fountains is ensured by the operation of pumps, which can be hidden at the bottom of the pond under the stones. Surface devices are also used. Pumps come in different capacities, which affects the height and intensity of the water jets.

Fish

You can add decorative fish to a pond at your dacha, when choosing which it is important to fully understand the conditions under which they are kept. It is worth buying those types of fish that get along well with each other and do not quarrel.

Pond care

A decorative pond at the dacha requires some care. Planted plants must be protected from the cold or moved to a warm room. During a long absence, the surface of an artificial reservoir at the dacha should be covered with a special mesh to protect it from debris. Leaves and other debris that have fallen into the country pond are caught with a net, and if a large amount of sludge forms, it is necessary to clean the reservoir. Water must be renewed periodically using a garden hose or a regular bucket (if not available). specialized equipment).

Photo gallery

In our photo gallery you will see more than 33 examples of beautiful ponds in the country.