Pond design
Pond design
Want to design a pond without the hassle of complicated equipment and chemicals?
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Advice for pond design
Of course, the very best thing about designing your own pond is that you can decide exactly how it will look. To get it right, we give you practical advice so that you can come up with a good plan. Setting up a pond is not easy when, for example, no zones have been created. Because a pond without zones, consisting of a square hole of, say, 1.50 m deep, can contain little to no plants.
The location of the pond
The first logical step is location. Where do you want your pond? Choose a spot in the sun, but not under trees. Falling leaves pollute the pond, so you'll spend a lot of time scooping out leaf litter, especially in the fall. About six hours of sunshine a day is desirable for the aquatic plants to grow well. Also, check in advance if there are any pipes or cables running in the ground to prevent them from getting in the way. In addition, when choosing the location of the pond, make sure that there is always a viewing side. By this we mean that you can look into the pond from the terrace or from the house. If you have a marsh area, keep it low and place flowering plants nicely at the edge of a terrace.
What kind of pond do you want?
So many people, so many desires. Decide what kind of pond you want to design. In a sleek garden, a mirror pond looks nice, but if you have a garden where you let nature take its course more, a natural pond is probably a fitting addition. This has a pond edge that is overgrown and naturally transitions from garden to pond. In the marsh zone, you put suitable plants that do an excellent job in this transitional area. However, a natural pond is more suitable for larger gardens, as it is only feasible with an area of 25 m2. Do you have a city garden? Then a (small) pond without a wetland is the most likely option. You can also make this one in the shape you want when designing your pond. Finally, for an excavated pond, we recommend a minimum volume of about 2000 liters of water. This gives you enough room to give plants and animals a chance while keeping algae at bay.
Create your own pond design
The next step is to make a plan of the garden showing your pond, plus the desired dimensions to scale. In addition, also make a cross-section of the pond, showing the different zones in which aquatic plants can grow. Simon's tip: For clarity, use colors for the different zones. Pay close attention to the depth at which plants can or should grow. Do you buy your plants in our webshop? The labels show the colors of the different zones (and thus depths) so that you can immediately place the plants in the right place in the pond. For a modest pond, assume two to three zones. The larger your pond, the more zones, with a maximum of six. Make your pond at least -80 to -100 cm deep but don't make the planting zones too narrow, so there is enough room to place the plants.
pond liner of pvc or rubber
The beauty of pond liner is that you can make the pond the way you want it. There are different types of liner, of various thicknesses and quality. You have the choice of PVC liner or rubber liner. PVC liner is cheaper, but has a limited lifespan. It lasts five to 10 years. Rubber liner is more durable because it lasts at least thirty years, but it is also a lot more expensive. An advantage of rubber liner is that it is stretchy and easier to work with due to its greater pliability.
Have you completed these steps? Great, then you can continue with our step-by-step plan for building and decorating your pond.
Want more helpful tips?
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 just 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.
What kind of pond do you want?
Of course, the very best thing about designing your own pond is that you can decide exactly how it will look. To get it right, we give you practical advice so that you can come up with a good plan. Setting up a pond is not easy when, for example, no zones have been created. Because a pond without zones, consisting of a square hole of, say, 1.50 m deep, can contain little to no plants.
Create your own pond design
Of course, the very best thing about designing your own pond is that you can decide exactly how it will look. To get it right, we give you practical advice so that you can come up with a good plan. Setting up a pond is not easy when, for example, no zones have been created. Because a pond without zones, consisting of a square hole of, say, 1.50 m deep, can contain little to no plants.