Garden Ponds
12/9/2007 at 9:34:06 PM
I am considering putting a garden pond in my yard. Do any of you have experience in this area? We have three acres which consists mostly of yard area. Though its not exactly 'flat all over' we do have some nice areas in which to put a pond. What I'm not sure of is whether or not I should purchase a kit, hire a contractor or do it all myself. I'm very handy and I'm sure with my sons' help, we could do it ourselves but is there benefits of going with a contractor or kit?
Another of my major concerns is the animals attracted by ponds. I've read up on different alternatives, but I'm not crazy about a fence of any kind nor do I like the idea of having a net over it. I do not plan on having fish in my pond. It will be plants only with some sort of fountain. But should I be concerned about snakes? I have pets and do not want to attract the wrong critters to my yard.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
12/15/2007 at 9:49:00 PM
If you are handy, I would recommend at least looking in to doing it yourself. Check out the DIY sites online and they will have some great tips for you.
I would recommend that you draw out your idea first and write a list of what you want to do, make a shopping list and price it out, and then take a couple bids to see how they compare.
Keep in mind that fish help keep the algae down. If you don't plan to keep fish, make sure you add plants that will limit the sunlight to the pond and keep the algae from growing so rapidly--or you will have to clean it out ever few weeks.
4/10/2008 at 1:24:36 PM
Great answer to that, Robert. I've been wanting to do the same and had the same concerns as Bobbie had. I think it would make a wonderful DIY project.
I thought about the animals it may draw to my yard but for some reason, I had *not* considered snakes. That's almost enough to make me want to give up on the idea! :-)
4/24/2008 at 1:51:52 PM
hmm you got a point there, recently i saw a video about crocs getting into owner's pool, no idea how it get in, but it is there~ and it happens in the summer of a city (was it?)
4/26/2008 at 11:59:03 AM
Well, for as long as you have a good space in your yard for a small pond, go ahead and have one. Be sure to contact a contractor to do this for you. I don't think it would be that complicated. You have to be very careful though because your garden pond might attract insects like mosquitoes.
4/29/2008 at 9:34:29 AM
I have a self-sustaining pond in my yard. I have fish in there - but I also have heaps of frogs, two river-mussels crawling along the bottom, a catfish to keep algae down and surface covering plants to keep the fish partly protected from birds swooping in and eating them. I love it!
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