The Pond

A couple of years ago, I installed a pond in my backyard. Not only did it change the look and feel of the yard, it created a tiny exosystem all its' own. Building it was incredibly easy. Getting the hole dug was the hardest part, but after that the rest was no problem.

I bought a pre-formed, hard plastic liner for about $160 and an electric filter pump with sprikler fountain head for $95. Another $45 dollars for a small truck load of rocks and $20 for a few aquatic plants, and the project came together for $320. The payback has been wonderful.

Upkeep is easy, especially whan a balance is reached between plants, snails, water movement, and filtration. Occasionally more oftern in warm weather, I hook up a hose to the fountain pump and pump out about one third of the water. I then replace it with regular city water, which contains enough chlorine to clear up an algae bloom.

I choose not to put fish in my pond for a couple of reasons. We have racoon in the neighborhood and they love to raid a pond of koi. Also, fish add bacteria to a pond and adding a UV filter system is necessary. I have two dogs, who think it is just a really big water bowl for them, so I avoid chemicals completely.

As far as plants, I have irises, two varieties that love to have their "feet" wet, water lilies and micro catails. I also have veriegated ivy and creeping Jenny around the edge, both of which have a tendency to send runners and roots into the pond itself. Recently, I have added blue star creeper, but this seems to be a big favorite of slugs, so it may not stick around long.

With the scare of West Nile virus, mosquito abatement is extremely important, and constant water movement is a good place to start. I find that skimming with a fish net to be pretty effective for my small pond. You definitely have to adjust your methods for you own particular area.

Other Great Water Plants

• Deep water plants : Dwarf or miniature water lilies, great for small ponds; lotuses and exotics, better in very warm climates; wild celery, also called ribbon, eel or tape grass, very pretty.
• Marginals - Arrowhead, little white flowers; marsh marigold, yellow flowers, blooms in spring; moneywort, good folage.

I recomment a comprehensive book called All About Garden Pools and Fountains by Ortho Books.