Ponds

You make a small pond by digging your own hole in the ground. Simon recommends creating depth zones for the different pond plants before lining the pond with pond liner. Then it's time to create a bottom of pond substrate and set it up with your chosen pond plants. Check out all of Simon's tips for building a small pond in the garden.

A natural pond is also called an organic plant pond. It is made up of depth zones for the various pond plants and is lined with pond liner. You mainly put in a lot of pond plants, on the bottom comes a layer of pond substrate and you add pond bacteria. In this way, the pond itself can maintain a biological balance. In this blog you can read all about making this pond.

1. Terrace pond, balcony pond or mini pond: three names for the same idea: often a large barrel or tub filled with pond plants and water that fits perfectly on a small patio or balcony.
2. Organic plant pond: this type of pond is for nature lovers who also like to encourage biodiversity. No pump or filter is used and the plant pond is designed to keep itself in biological balance. This pond has a huge attraction for insects and (water) animals.
3. Swimming pond: a very popular pond that you see popping up more and more in backyards. It is not a pool, but a pond with a screened plant filter and swimming area. The plant filter keeps the water balanced and clear.
4. Koi pond: not just any pond with fish, but with real eye-catchers: colorful koi fish. This hobby, which has blown over from Japan, requires prior knowledge before you decide to build a koi pond.
5. Natural pond: the name says it all; in a natural pond, nature is allowed to take its course. There is no pond liner on the bottom and the water level is created thanks to a natural water source near the pond. Obviously, there is no pump or filter, but this pond is filled with all kinds of pond plants.
6. Tight pond or mirror pond: this pond is often rectangular in shape and made of concrete or stone. The water surface is sleek and smooth so that the surroundings are reflected in it. Pond plants can be placed in a mirror pond excellently without losing the reflection.
7. Small pond: it is not so much a pond type, but one worth mentioning in this list. A pond is small as soon as it contains no more than 10,000 liters of water. The design often resembles what an organic plant pond looks like: nice and lots of aquatic plants that attract plenty of animal life.

The shape of your pond is a free choice and will be different for everyone. There are a number of things to consider when choosing pond shape. Check out how to design your own pond and think about these questions ahead of time:

• What is the function of the pond? Do you want to attract insects and amphibians, do you desire a bunch of beautiful fish to enjoy, or does a sleek pond fit in well with your fashionable garden?
• What do you like? Some like lush vegetation and a pond that blends into its natural surroundings, while others prefer a reflective water surface with clean edges.
• How much space do you have available? An important point that helps determine the possibilities of the pond type and shape. Good to know: an organic shape pond is easy to dig out yourself, but for a pond with concrete walls (like a mirror pond) you will need to enlist help.

A natural or plant pond with pond liner should be at least -80 cm deep. Simon often recommends making a pond -100 cm deep to allow more room for marine life and also pond plants. This also applies to a natural small pond. The width should be at least 120 cm.

No, a pond consisting of a hole in the ground lined with pond liner does not require a permit. Such an ornamental pond is not considered a structure and therefore does not require a permit. Of course, the pond must be built on your own property - your own yard - at a home. However, depending on how big you make the pond or what construction technique you use, an environmental permit may be required. Think about excavators or other machinery that will interfere through the public space near the home during construction. Check with your municipality for this.

A pond can be low maintenance. If you want such a pond, Simon recommends creating an organic plant pond where the pond plants along with bacteria manage to keep the water clear. A pump or filter is not even necessary in this type of pond. Do you have fish in the pond, is there a tree with falling leaves next to your pond, or are there not enough pond plants in it, these are all factors that affect how much maintenance the pond needs. Read all about maintaining your pond.

If you are talking about a small pond in the garden, Simon recommends making it at least -80 cm, but preferably -100 cm deep. This way you offer pond plants and pond animals such as frogs and salamanders enough space to grow and live well. In addition, a width of 120 cm or more is a good starting point. The exception, of course, is the mini pond, where you place the container with water right on the balcony or terrace.

Pond tubs come is all shapes, sizes and materials. And with that, of course, the price also varies. A small pond of 150 liters goes for about € 50, one of 200 liters for about € 140. If you go for a somewhat larger pond of 500+ liters, you pay a price of around € 400. For ponds between 1000 and 2000 liters you pay around € 400 to € 900. Even larger ones with more liters often cost more than € 1000 or even thousands of euros.

For a pond in the garden, it is best to choose a spot that catches four to six hours of sunlight a day so that all the pond plants can grow nicely. It is also advisable not to place a pond next to or near a deciduous tree or shrub, as you will find a pond full of leaves each fall. Read more tips for pond construction in Simon's step-by-step plan.

A natural pond is often large and is constructed without foil on the bottom. It uses a natural water source nearby. See how the construction of a natural pond works. Do you want a plant pond in which you mainly place a lot of pond plants and attract animals, but where there is pond liner on the bottom? Then we are talking about an organic plant pond. Read more about this type of pond.