Many owners of their own houses want to decorate their land not only with greenery, but also with a decorative reservoir or pond. Such an element of landscape design will create a sense of wildlife. The selection of material, the correct technology for creating and performing regular care procedures are necessary conditions for maintaining a man-made reservoir in proper form.

Types of reservoirs in landscape design

The main types of reservoirs that landscape designers embody:

• pond;
• the fountain;
• waterfall;
• spring;
• stream;
• decorative swamp;
• pool.

Each of these varieties has its own characteristics and design requirements.

Important! It is not recommended to place ponds near trees. This is due to potential damage to the walls of the artificial structure by the root system of plants, as well as water pollution by leaves and fruits.

Pond

The species in question is a reservoir created as a result of the closure of a natural watercourse. Ponds usually arise due to the construction of a dam in the path of some small river. Today, this species is understood as a body of water with standing water. The choice of shape and size depends on the preferences of the owner. Depth varies from a few centimeters to two meters or more.

If you want to breed fish in a pond or plant plants that will survive the winter, then certain rules must be taken into account:

• crops require a depth of 0.5–1 m;
• water inhabitants - 1.8–2 m.

Ponds are usually created far from vegetable gardens and gardens so that fertilizers and chemicals cannot get into the water.

The fountain

This species is considered not only a beautiful decorative element of the site, but also a good way to constantly humidify the air. Fountains are divided into submersible and stationary. The first type is usually installed directly in the pond, which allows oxygen to circulate well in water. The system works like this: a pump pumps liquid out of a reservoir, passing it to a fountain. This circular circulation of water allows the water to not stagnate.

A stationary fountain is considered an integral part of the landscape. There are many models in the form of statues, water mills, etc. To create fountains, you should have a pump (the pressure of the water depends on its power), a container with liquid, and a specialized nozzle. The last element can be chosen for every taste: bell-shaped, tulip, jet or turntable. When placing the fountain, you need to understand that the larger its dimensions, the farther it should be from the building.

Often you can find a non-jet type. This fountain looks like this: water flows from the walls, sculpture-mask (mascaron) or bowl. Evening lighting adds a special charm and a sense of magic.

Did you know? According to the ancient Eastern teachings of Feng Shui, artificial waterfalls not only create a positive aura on the territory, but also can protect the owner of the house from evil spirits.

Waterfall

This type of reservoir is an excellent pacifying element in a noisy area. Many homeowners prefer to create artificial waterfalls on their sites to drown out the hum of cars.

The noise of falling water depends on the height of the device itself and on the flow. It is best to purchase a pump that will allow you to adjust the pressure of the liquid. It is recommended to choose a terrain under an inclination near undersized or artisanal plants.

Spring

The type in question is a body of water that does not have a mirrored water surface. To build a spring, it is necessary to install a pump and a water tank under the ground, and the fountain nozzle (the best option is a geyser) should be brought to the surface. This type is quite compact and can be installed both in the shady area of ​​the garden and in the patio or on the lawn.

Stream

It is a narrow watercourse, which is characterized by a winding channel. It is recommended to design a stream in such a way that there are more bends and various obstacles. This is necessary to create a natural movement of water. Equip streams near the reservoir in such a way that the pump pumps the liquid. The pressure of the flow depends on the girth of the channel and the angle of its inclination. On flat sections the stream will be wide enough, but slowly flowing, and under a large slope the stream will become much more powerful.

Decorative swamp

The considered type of reservoir is increasingly being established to decorate the territory. The best option is when a decorative swamp is combined with a pond or stream. This water form is usually shallow due to the surface roots of plants that are intended for planting in the water area. It is very important to monitor the waterproofing in the decorative swamp so that the flora does not die as a result of water leakage.

Pool

Unlike other reservoirs, the pool carries a different functional load - swimming. The decoration of the pools depends on the preferences of the owner. The bottom and walls are laid out with tiles, both plain and patterned in various colors. The recreation area around the pool is decorated with sun loungers, awnings or small umbrellas. For families with children, a miniature water slide or springboard is recommended.

Forms of ponds and ponds

There are various styles of designing artificial water landscape elements on the site of a country house. Any form can be selected, but one should take into account that a pond or pond does not get out of the canvas of the main design of this territory. The choice of style should be carried out after determining the necessary space for placement.

Known options for the design of ponds:

1. Landscape - as a natural element of the landscape.
2. Formal - while maintaining the correct geometric shapes.
3. Raised - The original pond, towering above the ground.

If the site itself and the buildings on it are of strictly defined geometric shapes, then the reservoir should also be constructed in the form of a square, rectangle, etc. Such options are very characteristic for summer cottages with oriental-style gardens. Rectangular ponds are usually placed near the walls of a massive structure. Free forms of water bodies are the most common option. This allows the owner to create an unusual natural corner with his own imagination. For example, to set the borders of ponds in the form of regular geometric shapes, pegs and twine are used. For a free form, it is better to use a hose.

Droplet-shaped ponds gained immense popularity. This is a typical element of the British style. The owner of the summer cottage has the right to choose any form of the future reservoir. There are no strict rules. It is also acceptable to mix different styles and shapes of ponds to create an original composition.

What materials can be built pond

Decorative reservoirs can be constructed using ready-made foundations, improvised tools and various devices. The choice depends on the preferences and capabilities of the owner of the site in the country.

The following materials are considered the most used materials for creating ponds:

• ready-made plastic containers;
• synthetic film;
• concrete;
• tires;
• bath;
• the pelvis.

Plastic

For the construction of tanks for ponds, either compressed polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride is usually used. The appearance of these finished forms can be varied in style, size and depth. The volume can be from 150 to 2500 liters.

• The main advantages can be considered:
• light weight and durability;
• simple installation;
• service time - up to 15 years;
• minimum care requirements.

• You should also outline some of the disadvantages of these reservoirs:
• when choosing cheap options there is a high probability of their destruction from frost and the sun;
• there is no way to expand the volume, complete dismantling is required;
• high price of a quality product;
• unnaturalness.

Synthetic film

• Home-made decorative ponds on a film basis are considered the most popular. The main advantages of such reservoirs are:
• the creation of various forms and the desired depth;
• possible further correction of the outlines;
• admissibility of restoration of various damages;
• high frost resistance.

• Despite the advantages of such material, experts identify a number of disadvantages of ponds on a film basis:
• insufficient strength of the material;
• possible damage to the edges of the film base under the influence of sunlight;
• the use of additional disguise;
• gluing the ends of the film in different places during the construction of overall options.

Concrete

The construction of decorative ponds using the specified raw materials is necessary when installing bridges or statues, but the material is not very popular.

• The main advantages of using concrete for water bodies are:
• durability and reliability;
• resistance to damage, both mechanical and climatic;
• durability;
• lack of need for leaving.

• In addition, there are a number of shortcomings in the creation of such ponds:
• construction complexity;
• high price;
• purchase of additional materials;
• impossibility of reconstruction.

From the tire

• The considered option is especially convenient if unnecessary car tires have accumulated on the site. The main advantages of such reservoirs can be considered:
• strength and durability (over 10 years);
• size selection;
• high frost resistance and resistance to ultraviolet rays;
• there is no need to further strengthen the walls;
• admissibility of coloring and decoration;
• ease of installation;
• cheapness.

• The disadvantages include:
• restrictions in size and shape;
• the impossibility of building overall options;
• You cannot expand the originally mounted pond.

Using bath

This "base" is often used in summer cottages. Cast iron bathtubs are a particularly good option, as they are highly resistant to temperature extremes.

• The main advantages of such a reservoir are:
• strength and durability;
• noiseless water intake in a cast-iron tank;
• ease of installation.

• The negative points include:
• the difficulty of moving (large mass of the product - 50-150 kg);
• insufficient enamel resistance to various kinds of influences;
• unnaturalness of the pond due to the uniform form.

Mini basin from the basin

This option is a real find for owners of small summer cottages, where it is problematic to place a more dimensional basis for the pond.

• The main advantages of such a reservoir can be considered:
• cheapness;
• compactness;
• transportability;
• minimal care;
• Simple and quick installation.

• Despite the many positive features, this option has some disadvantages:
• rapid freezing of water in winter and overheating of liquid in summer;
• restriction in shape (round) and size;
• the impossibility of further increasing the reservoir.

To create a mini-pond, it is recommended to use enameled, cast-iron and metal basins. They should first be coated with a solution of cement and sand (1: 3). Water should be added in such an amount that it is convenient to sculpt. The future reservoir will dry for about a day.

Important! During drying of the coating, the container should be protected from any possible precipitation.

Do-it-yourself pond technology

Features of the creation of the pond imply following certain rules.

To get a beautiful reservoir, you must:

• choose the installation site;
• prepare the necessary materials;
• perform step-by-step installation;
• to decorate.

Seat selection

Properly selected territory for the future pond will protect the owner from unforeseen difficulties in the future. Shady areas will affect the slowdown of vegetation in the water and around the reservoir. In shaded conditions, the water practically does not bloom.

The best option is a site that is lit by the sun for no more than 6 hours a day. Places where bulky structures and trees that cover the pond will be placed on the southeast side are also not recommended. Also, the placement of reservoirs near trees, especially fruit trees, will lead to clogging of water with leaves, fruits and various garbage. As a result, the owner needs to spend time regularly cleaning the pond.

Necessary materials

For the construction of a reservoir, special tools, supplies and other goods should be purchased. The fixtures needed to create this element of landscape decoration will depend on the main material. As previously indicated, for the construction of the reservoir you can buy synthetic film, ready-made plastic tanks, as well as it is permissible to use existing products (basins, tires, bathtubs).

The list of necessary materials include:

• reinforcing wire;
• primer;
• cement;
• sand;
• roofing material;
• reinforced mesh.

Also in stores you can buy film, EPDM membranes, pebbles and rubble, a coconut mat, lighting and various decorative elements.

The list of necessary tools includes:

• scoop, shovel;
• welding machine;
• concrete mixer;
• brushes and brushes;
• buckets and more.

Shopping list may increase and decrease depending on:

• places
• bumps;
• duration of service;
• construction time;
• prices.

Step by step instructions for creating

To get a beautiful body of water, it is recommended to follow certain rules.

Do-it-yourself water element creation of landscape design is carried out, adhering to such stages:

1. Blueprints. It is recommended to recreate the plan of the territory on graph paper with notes: “north”, “house”, “large trees” and other objects. It is also necessary to highlight sunny and dark places with notes. In the right place, draw the outline of the reservoir, highlighting the tiers (for coastal crops - depth 0.3 m, for shallow water lilies - 0.6 m, for recesses - 1 m, for wintering fish - 1.5–2 m).
2. Digging a pit. For this it is necessary to use small construction equipment. The place is marked with stakes and twine, you can also use the garden hose. In the absence of equipment, you can dig a foundation pit with a shovel, checking the level of different heights of the shores. Next, manual adjustment work is carried out to form the bottom, walls and various protrusions. Tiers can be formed with a shovel. Do not make vertical walls of the recesses and the reservoir as a whole, but tilt 30–45 °. After - it is necessary to measure the parameters of the pond bowl to acquire synthetic film and geotextiles. Material allowance - 0.5 m.
3. Sealing. The bottom must be cleaned and strewn with sand, which must be well compacted. Sealing is carried out using geotextiles, on top of which the film is laid out. A trench is dug around the pond, into which gravel is poured, holding and fixing the film material. Next, the future body of water must be left for a day, after which it is necessary to smooth out all the folds and smooth out the errors and trim the excess pieces. The next layer is the blind area (0.25 m). It can be large decorative stones or flat pebbles. The coastline is fixed with concrete.
4. Final stage. The finished tank is filled with plants, water, and also decorated.

To create a reservoir on a concrete basis, you must follow these steps:

1. Registration of the pit. The walls form at an inclination of 30–45 °. The soil on the lateral surfaces and at the bottom of the pit must be tamped.
2. Waterproofing. Cover the inside of the future pond with a thick layer of synthetic film.
3. Concreting. The walls and bottom of the recess are poured with a ten-centimeter layer of concrete.
4. Fittings. The surface of the bowl must be strengthened with a metal mesh, pressing it into still soft concrete.
5. The final coating. The reinforcement is poured with a five-centimeter layer of concrete, which must be compacted and well leveled.

1-compacted pit soil; 2-pit walls; 3-PVC film; 4-first layer of concrete; 5-armature; 6 - second layer of concrete.

Decorative elements and site decoration

From the moment the blind area froze, you can begin to equip the pond with various decorative elements and plant coastal crops. The best option is to immerse them in a pond in containers. It is best to first plant several varieties of perennials that do not require special care. For a terrace with a depth of 0.3 m, sedge or calamus can be used.

It is recommended to place plants in black pots. This color provides invisibility to the landing packaging. And during wintering, plants can be easily removed from the reservoir along with containers. Then you need to fill the pond with water. Experts say that at first the pond will become cloudy due to blue-green algae. This should not be feared, as they will soon perish, and the water will be purified again.

Water lilies are planted initially in pots in shallow water (0.3 m), and after the growth is activated, they are moved to a terrace with a depth of 0.6 m or more.The coastal area is decorated with fern, hosta and other hygrophilous plants. For better water circulation, it is recommended to place a stream and a waterfall in the pond. For the construction of the structure it is necessary to use a submersible pump. Water will flow through the feed hose, which is mounted on a raised platform. All technical elements are masked by pebbles and decorative stones. Further, the structure is reinforced with concrete.

In such a reservoir, you can run fish and toads. But for water residents, the permissible level of acidity of the water should be 7-8 pH. To adjust the performance in specialized stores, you can purchase various drugs for this purpose. The recommended temperature regime is about + 15 ° C. The classic version of decoration in the ancient Greek style is the use of figurines, amphorae, various symbols of antiquity. The Japanese style implies decoration with figures of toads, coins and decorative lanterns.

Further care of the pond

A necessary condition for maintaining the engineering element of landscape design in a beautiful form is regular care. With the right choice of place and the right technology of construction, you will not have to devote much time to the reservoir.

Despite this, no one is safe from such situations:

• flowering;
• pollution;
• lack of oxygen in the water.

The first problem can be solved by harvesting algae with a rake and a pitchfork. A filter in the pond can also be a good helper. The use of chemicals should only be in extreme cases, since such drugs can harm the flora and fauna of the reservoir. Darkening of the water or the presence of silt on the surface indicates the need to replace the liquid.

This procedure is performed as follows:

1. Extract plants using a net or manually.
2. Partially drain the water and catch the fish by moving them to the prepared tanks.
3. Empty the thicket from debris and dirt.
4. Fill the pond with water, and reinstall the plants and place the fish.

Did you know? Many experienced owners of ponds perform the following procedure to check the contamination of a pond and determine whether it is necessary to clean it: lower the white plate to a depth of 0.1 m. If the vessel is not visible, this is a sign that it is necessary to change the water.

The problem of aeration is especially important for the reservoirs in which fish live.

To saturate water with oxygen, the pond must be equipped with one of these devices:

• mini compressor with air atomizer;
• bottom aeration system;
• floating or fountain aerator.

Ponds also require seasonal care.

• clean the bottom of contaminants;
• check for damage;
• pruning bushes (to a height of 0.2 m);
• cutting plants in the coastal zone;
• transplantation of annual crops (after frost, if necessary);
• inclusion of filters and fountains;
• checking the acidity of water.

Summer care includes:

• cleaning the reservoir of debris;
• planting tropical plants;
• fertilizer;
• thinning algae;
• weeding from weeds and overgrown trees;
• checking the pH level.

Autumn procedures cover:

• tank cleaning;
• sanitary crop pruning in coastal and shallow areas;
• the movement of heat-loving plants into the room (from the moment of frost);
• at a temperature of + 9 ... + 10 ° С the termination of top dressing of fish;
• in reservoirs with a depth of less than 2 m, catch aquatic inhabitants for wintering in tanks;
• installation of expansion joints for ice expansion.
• drainage of small ponds.

Winter care is also necessary for the landscape design component. The procedure involves the following actions:

• drain water from a concrete bowl;
• drain fluid from hoses and pipes;
• dismantle pumps and filters;
• turn on the defroster;
• to cover the pond with a net;
• provide fish with oxygen (wormwood).

The creation and maintenance of a pond must be approached with particular responsibility. In order for the considered landscape design element to always be pleasing to the eye, it is necessary to initially select the right place, type of water body, determine its shape and size, design it correctly by following step-by-step instructions, and also monitor its condition by conducting seasonal planned procedures.