Building a pond
Building a pond
Want to build a garden pond with foil and without the hassle of complicated equipment and chemicals?
Constructing a garden pond: your step-by-step guide
Without the right approach, ponds can be excavated incorrectly. I have often seen people who spontaneously dig a hole and want to put liner in it without a solid design. While digging and placing the liner usually works, problems often arise when setting up the pond. For example, a thoughtless pond without clear zones may not function properly. Take, for example, a pond without zones that is 1.50 m deep; such a pond can hardly accommodate plants. For example, water lilies, although they live in the water, can "drown" if placed too deep.
To avoid these and other pitfalls, I've put together this roadmap for you.
Do you have a specific pond?
If you have a specific pond we have additional tips for you. Select your type of pond or choose by water content if your pond is not listed. For a small pond of 500 - 10,000 gallons of water, the step-by-step plan continues below.
Building a pond 5 step plan: how to build a pond? (including tips from Simon)
With the right combination of plants and smart planning, you can create a maintenance-free natural pond without the need for expensive pumps, filters or water improvers.
Step 1: Determine pond type and proper location
- Planning: Before you start digging, it is essential to think carefully about the purpose of your pond. Do you want a swimming pond, a koi pond or just a decorative pond?
- Location: The location of your pond affects its health. A sunny spot with 4-6 hours of sunlight per day is ideal.
- Permit: No permit is usually required to excavate a pond. However, special structures, such as a mirror pond, may require a permit.
Step 2: Create a floor plan
- Zones: A pond can contain up to five zones. For smaller ponds, two to three zones are recommended for plants. The pond should be at least 80-100 cm deep to accommodate the different zones.
- Key Zones: The marsh zone (-10 to -20 cm) is crucial because many plants will be located here.
Step 3: Excavate the pond, calculate pond liner and lining
- Preparation: Before you start digging, check the groundwater level. This can be done by drilling a hole at the deepest point of the pond.
- Digging out: If the hole remains dry, you can begin excavating. Keep in mind that a lot of soil will come out of the hole.
- Pond liner: Once the hole is ready, it can be lined with pond liner. First remove sharp objects from the ground.
Step 4: Provide a good pond planting plan
- Balance: It is important to have balance in your pond plants. This reduces the chance of algae growth and ensures clear water.
- Natural balance: Simon's contention is that technical aids, such as filters, are not necessary if you have a good planting plan. The plants themselves can keep the pond clean and clear.
Step 5: Maintenance and further setup
- Maintenance: Like Sumpfpflanzen , aquatic plants contribute to clear water. Plants such as calamus, Japanese cave pipe and pikeweed are excellent choices.
- Construction: The best time to build a pond is when it is not freezing. Keep in mind seasonal changes.
- Cost: The average cost of constructing a pond with foil is around €200 per m2. With a good plan, you can avoid unnecessary costs.
Frequently asked questions about building a pond
If you want to build your own pond with foil, keep in mind an average cost of €200 perm2. Making a good plan can avoid unnecessary costs. Simons pond advice book gives you all the tips & tricks to save money and build a successful, clear pond in one go.
Building ponds can be done year-round, except when it's freezing. Weather conditions have changed so much from 25 years ago that the seasons have become less and less different. For example, we have our nursery stocked with aquatic plants year-round. Plants don't grow as fast in the fall, but they overwinter and sprout right away in the spring. They are hardy. Thus, you can dig a pond and plant pond plants all year round. The only exception to this rule is when it freezes, because then there is ice on the water. Then building a pond will be more difficult.
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This is what our customers say!
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Nynke Roukema
Great advice and material from Simon for our new pond.
So without any prior knowledge from us now for 3 years a picture in the garden and beautiful clear water 🍀🙏
Selma Grund
Great products and knowledgeable!
Ordered 6 x crab crab, these arrived somewhat short-winged and did not float well in the pond. But with some patience and attention they have now grown beautifully large and are flowering beautifully!
Lex Shoerds
For 30 years I have had a pond. Remodeled this season with some of my old pond water and plants.
Supplemented with clear pond suggestions from van der Velde. The result is better than I ever had: beautiful plants and so clear that I can see the fish down to the bottom.
Really great !!!
Janny Figee
A first patio pond is fun and exciting to experiment with. With the help of the excellent, involved support, the plants from the mini kit have come to life. Thanks to the addition of extra bacteria, I can now easily see a frog swimming in the mini pond. Thanks to Britt for her good advice. Also, the delivery is careful and fast. So far, a beautiful water lily has appeared twice, folding its leaves to go to sleep at night.Just following this cycle is beautiful.
Jeroen van Luik
Without too much experience, I began a sizable pond project. I bought Simon's book, and it helped me tremendously, both in construction and setup. Then I ordered the substrate, bacteria and all the plants, following as much as possible the method described in the book, for a natural pond without pumps and filters.
Tim Lommerse
Very knowledgeable advice, extensive web shop and above all, excellent customer service.
My supplied Cape Lily turned out not to be viable, without any problems a new one was then sent in no time.
Maria Janssen
Can't say that I super liked what I ordered from Van der Velde. Plants, food, ground cover, gravel.
Well packed, fast delivery, and excellent quality!
If you have not ordered anything I would do it quickly, you will not regret it.
Good luck !
Simon van der Velde: Expert on ponds and an advocate of biodiversity and sustainability
Simon van der Velde is an expert in ponds with more than 35 years of experience in designing dream ponds. He is the founder of "Van der Velde Aquatic Plants," a company focused on creating biodiverse and natural ponds without the use of pumping systems and filters. Simon's vision goes beyond creating beautiful ponds; he also wants to contribute to the restoration of biodiversity in the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. In addition to his work as a pond specialist, Simon is a passionate nature lover and is committed to preserving nature and the environment. He inspires people to take a sustainable approach to their gardens and the natural environment. Simon's passion for biodiversity and natural lifestyle makes him an advocate for sustainability and a key player in restoring the natural balance in our world.