The Basics of Garden Ponds

Garden ponds are a gorgeous way to beautify your landscaping and hardscaping and add major curb appeal to your home. Here is what you need to know about garden ponds before you take the plunge and make a splash!

Understand the Basics

Every garden pond needs basic elements to keep it clean and safe for your family. No matter what, your garden pond will need:

• A filter to clean the water as it exits the pump
• A water agitator to add oxygen to the water. Water agitators are less complicated than they sound and can be as simple as a fountain or bubbler.
• A liner to stop the water from seeping into the ground.
• An underlay to stop the liner from getting stretched out or holes during the installation or cleaning processes.
• A pump to move the pond water through the filter and through any water agitators.
• A GFCI outlet to power the entire system.

Natural Garden Ponds

Natural garden ponds are designed to look like they just appeared in your yard naturally (hence the name). They have free-form edges that are not rigid or straight. They often use stones or other natural materials to help the garden pond blend in.

Semi-Natural Garden Ponds

These ponds still incorporate natural elements like native plants, but have more formally-defined boundaries using bricks, concrete, or patio pavers. Semi-natural garden ponds are often blended into other hardscaping features around the home instead of the landscaping.

Formal Garden Ponds

These garden ponds have rigid boundaries and do not need to use any natural materials or plants. Formal garden ponds typically use mortared stone or concrete and can be used as reflecting pools or in conjunction with surrounding hardscaping. Formal garden ponds are also often used to show off impression fish collections.

Pick the Perfect Spot

One of the most important decisions you’ll make for your garden pond is the location. Try to choose a place in your yard where the pond will get a burst of sun in the morning and shade during the afternoon. If you choose a spot that is sunny all day, you could develop problems with algae blooms.

Professional Landscape Design for Your Home

Rhine Landscaping has the tools to make your yard beautiful throughout the year, so trust us with all of your landscaping and poolscaping needs. We have the expertise and knowledge to complete any and all of the landscaping projects on your list. For more information about our services, visit us online or give us a call at (410) 442-2445. For more tips on how to keep your yard and pool looking great year round, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Houzz.