Observing and caring for a pond of any size is fascinating, relaxing and great fun. The pond also teaches so much about nature, the eco-system, fish, insects, amphibians and plants.

The possibilities for learning are endless, and so are the questions. Here are just some of the ones most frequently asked.

Pond Questions

Plant Life Questions

Wildlife Questions

Pond Questions
about design, construction, maintenance and costs.

Where is the most advantageous location?

Situate your pond, stream and waterfalls close to your home where you can enjoy them most. If they’re located where you spend your time outdoors and they’re visible from the different living areas inside your home, you’ll get the most pleasure and value from your investment.

When deciding on a location, consider the surrounding trees. Their shade will impact plant choice, and unless the pond is equipped with skimmers, their leaves in the fall and petals in the spring will have to be removed manually from the pond.

Additionally, some trees have a dark run-off after rains. Oaks and elms in particular have tannin in their bark and will cause the pond to look murky. Partial water changes and using activated charcoal will be necessary to solve the problem.

What is the best shape?

The shape of a pond can be any configuration. It’s limited only by the budget and the amount of space on the property. Preformed ponds are the exception. They are restricted to the shape you’ve purchased.

Consider the existing landscape for determining the shape. For a more natural look, use sweeping curves. Angular lines make ponds look more formal.

Avoid designing tight corners as they will trap debris and be sure the design allows the water to move through the pond to your skimmer.

How tall should the waterfalls be?

If your yard has little or no slope, then the waterfall should be no more than 2 to 3 feet tall. That height will blend better in the surrounding landscape and look far more natural.
 
If your yard has an existing slope, you can increase the size significantly, but remember you’ll create more sound from a small, dynamic waterfall than from a higher one from which the water falls in sheets.
 
A taller waterfall will also require a more powerful pump.
 
What is the minimum slope for a stream?

One inch of vertical drop for every ten horizontal feet of stream is the typical recommendation.

How often does a pond need to be drained?

Once a year is recommended, usually in the spring. If you clean the pond more often, you may destroy the beneficial aerobic bacteria on which the eco-system depends.

Do I have to landscape around the pond?

Though landscaping isn’t a requirement, it will improve the pond’s appearance. A pond should look as it would in the wild, varied and natural. Landscaping will accomplish that goal.
 
Don’t plant just around the pond though; plant in the water, in rock crevices, and on the banks too. Creeping plants, ground covers and mosses will soften the pond’s look and add interest, but be careful. Don’t over plant and end up with a jungle that you’ll have to prune later. A water garden should mature over time.
 
How should plants be designed around the pond?

Organize your plants with the shortest ones up close, the medium size bushes and plants in the middle, and the tallest plants and grasses in the back.

Use a mixture of marginal and floating plants to cover from 40-60% of the pond. They will not only enhance the beauty of the pond, but also they will keep the water cool, provide shade for the fish and cover from predators.

How much electricity does a pond use?

That depends on the kind of the pond installed, the size of the pump used, and the cost of electricity, which can vary significantly. A high-efficiency pump that produces 3,000 gallons per hour will cost on average $21.00 per month.

How much does a pond cost?

Though an average sized pond is comparable to the cost of a hot tub, many factors impact the price.

A preformed pond or container water garden will cost less than one that is large, deep and has a stream.

More complicated features, like dramatic water falls and large rock formations, require additional supplies and more intensive work to install.

If the pond is to be built in a challenging location, installation is more difficult and costly.





Plant Life Questions
for keeping plants gorgeous and gardens lush.

Do I need to have plants in the pond?

Plants are critical to the health and beauty of your pond. They keep the eco-system balanced in the pond and create a low maintenance environment.

They also absorb nitrates and phosphates that would otherwise foster the growth of algae. In fact, the more plants you have, the less algae will grow and your job cleaning minimized.

When selecting plants consider the following: the climate the plant needs, the depth in soil or water necessary for the root system to thrive, and how well they will aide in the bio-filtration process.

Will aquatic plants survive the winter?

Aquatic plants can be hardy enough to come back year after year. Tropical plants or annuals will need replanting each season. To avoid the cost of buying these plants each year, you can pull them from the pond and store them in a warm place through the winter.
 
Aquatic plants are also easy to divide and store for the following year or divide to decorate a less-crowded section of the pond. Each plant has its own process to follow, though so buy an aquatic plant book and follow the care instructions carefully. The Encyclopedia of Water garden Plants by C. Greg and Sue Speichert is a particularly good one.

Where are aquatic plants sold?

A garden retailer will sell a variety of lilies and marginal plants. Mail order is also a good way to get these plants, particularly marginal plants which are classified into three types: marsh plants that like to keep their roots in the water, waterside plants that grow in bog gardens or moist areas but not in water, and border plants that need moisture but don’t need to live in water.
 
Be sure to feed your lilies a good fertilizer every 30-45 days, and they will grow profusely. Plant size determines how many tablets each plant needs, but usually three tablets inserted in the soil around the plant will do the trick.
 
How can I get natural looking color into the landscaping?

Plants bulbs in the fall, and you’ll have dramatic color in the spring. Bushes and plants that flower in the spring can create a profusion of beautiful color, and selecting annuals that thrive near or in water like impatiens and petunias bloom throughout the season.

What forms of wildlife do plants attract?

Depending on the species of wildlife that live in your area, the plants you choose can attract certain birds, butterflies, dragon flies and even turtles and frogs. If you provide the food and shelter that is necessary for them to thrive, they will come.

Are weeds a problem?

They can be. Good plant choice will eventually choke out their growth, but until then, weeds will have to be pulled just like anywhere else in your yard.
 




Wildlife Questions
about what it takes to keep your birds tweeting, butterflies buzzing, frogs croaking, and fish in the swim of things.

Is it necessary to have fish in my pond?
 
Fish are important to a balanced eco-system (the delicate relationship between various elements in a pond). Water, aquatic plants, rocks, gravel, aerobic bacteria and fish all work together to manage nutrients in the water, control the growth of algae and produce a healthy habitat for wildlife.
 
When there is balance in the pond, the water is clear and the inhabitants are thriving. When even one element is gone, a lack of balance results in green, unsightly water and sick wildlife.
 
Do I need to feed the fish?

Only if the fish are very large or your pond is heavily stocked. Generally, fish can live off what they find in the pond including the algae. If you must feed them, give them only what they can eat in five minutes. If you give them too much, the excess will create more nutrients and encourage growth of algae, which you will have to clean out.

Overstocking your pond can also disrupt the eco-system and lead to fish-health problems. The rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every one square foot of pond surface.
 
How do fish survive the winter?

As long as there is an exchange of gasses (including oxygen) through a hole in the ice, the fish will go into hibernation at the bottom of the pond. Be sure your pond size will provide enough room for all the fish you have to be comfortable.

Should I worry about predators eating my fish?

Generally, backyard ponds don’t attract predators, but it’s not impossible. There are processes to follow to protect the fish. Pond netting is successful at keeping out birds of prey, but they are not particularly pleasing to the eye. Plants that make it difficult for large birds to wade into the water are effective, and a motion-activated sprinkler scares off unwelcome visitors.

Will my pond attract mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes prefer stagnant water on which to produce their offspring. If your pond has been properly designed, then your water is always moving. Waterfalls and streams contribute to the motion mosquitoes dislike. If your pond doesn’t have either, you can get a pump and fountain combination that will take care of the problem.