Rest in the country is an opportunity to devote yourself to nature, to relax, forgetting at least for a while about the everyday life of the city, and it is best to do this on the shore of your own pond. It all depends on your imagination and the size of the summer cottage. Is it possible to make a pond in the country with your own hands? Of course. Follow the instructions below and you will succeed.

Man-made pond in the country

Of course, I want to spend time in a well-equipped dacha, on the territory of which landscape design and complete improvement have been made - after all, rest in a dacha, which is a lopsided house with a small courtyard overgrown with weeds and thistles, will definitely not contribute to peace of mind.

At the same time, a green, well-groomed lawn and neat trees, flower beds and artificial reservoirs will turn the territory of the cottage into a real earthly paradise. And decorative reservoirs will take not the last place in it. A private pond in the country can be of almost any size - from a couple of square meters to a reservoir of a significant area.

The first step is to understand the very purpose of a decorative reservoir: unlike pools, the water in which must be subjected to special treatment (chlorination, ozonation, etc.), a pond in the garden will require the creation of a certain biological balance. Otherwise, the water in it will bloom and become cloudy, the plants will wither and be chosen, perhaps by midges and frogs - a dubious pleasure for the owner of the pond.

Types of garden ponds

Garden ponds, having a geometrically regular shape - rectangular, rounded, diamond-shaped, etc. - look especially good on summer cottages, landscaped in the correct geometry (straight lines, ideal forms). As a rule, such decorative ponds are edged around the edges with tiled stone (artificial or natural), they are arranged near buildings, thereby emphasizing straight lines.

Ponds with the correct geometry can be made above ground level: this type of pond minimizes excavation when they are installed, it simplifies the care of them, reduces the risks of small children falling into it. The sides of such a pond protruding above the ground are suitable for a flower garden, you can install seats on them, and arrange a fountain in the pond itself.

Artificial ponds imitating natural reservoirs - they are characterized by rounded shapes and a coastline of arbitrary shape. Plants that are natural for bog flora are planted along their shores. A gentle descent under the water, covered with cobblestone or medium-sized pebbles - this type of pond is usually placed by landscape designers in the far part of the garden, near the lawn. Such natural ponds are especially successful in arbitrary gardening.

Choosing the size and location of the garden pond

Of course, the size of an artificial pond directly depends on the total area of ​​the summer cottage. If we talk about building a pond ecosystem, then large ponds are more convenient for this. Balancing vegetation and aquatic life in a large body of water is easier than in a small one, and larger ponds are easier to maintain. The smaller the artificial reservoir, the more often it will have to be cleaned - the lack of space for the inhabitants of the reservoir will not allow establishing a full-fledged ecological balance.

The place for the future pond is chosen from the point of view of aesthetics, the placement of an artificial reservoir near the main building is especially successful - it will be possible to observe the water surface from the windows or sitting in a chair on the terrace.

The optimal place for a pond will be an open space that is not subject to strong winds - strong winds will interfere with development tall plants on the shore of the reservoir. It is necessary to calculate the illumination of the pond: the direct rays of the sun should not illuminate the reservoir for more than 10 hours (6 hours of illumination is optimal). With higher illumination in stagnant water conditions, the active development of aquatic bacteria and green algae (for example, mud) will begin. At the same time, in those areas of the pond where the illumination will be insufficient (shading), the growth and development of aquatic plants will slow down.

The proximity of an artificial reservoir to the crowns of trees will lead to its pollution during seasonal leaf fall, in addition, root system trees can damage the pond bed by breaking through the underlay or dislodging the edges of the tub.

Owners who assume a pond lighting device in the dark, a pump device for a waterfall cascade or a fountain, should consider the location of the pond from the position of power supply.

Artificial pond - materials

A man-made reservoir can be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or butyl rubber film, use a ready-made container made of reinforced plastic or fiberglass, create a pond bowl from reinforced concrete.

In terms of the speed of creation, the first place is occupied by purchased containers made of fiberglass - all that is required is to dig a sufficiently deep pit for them and install a container in it on a prepared and compacted sand pillow(it resembles a plastic basin of large size and, often, a bizarre shape).

True, it will not be possible to arrange a large fiberglass pond - tanks of mass production, as a rule, have a small square (usually an area of ​​about 4 m 2, a depth of 500-800 mm). Larger GRP containers are more likely to be used for swimming pools (over 10 m 2) and are therefore more expensive. However, a small pond made of plastic or fiberglass is quite suitable for small summer cottages. The cost depends on the volume, shape and color.

A large pond and "free" (ie, not tied to any standard forms) planning can be arranged using a film (PVC or butyl rubber) - the film is needed to waterproof the reservoir. The cost of such material is low, in retail outlets it is widely represented both in quality and in terms of manufacturers.

Do not use ordinary polyethylene in the creation of an artificial reservoir, it will serve you for a maximum of 2 years, then its density will be disturbed under the influence of physical and temperature influences.

To create a garden pond, PVC film or butyl rubber is suitable. The first material has sufficient strength and elasticity, is distinguished by a high-quality structure - the reservoir formed by it will last at least 15 years. However, the undoubted leader in the field waterproofing materials for artificial ponds, butyl rubber is used - it has a high resistance to sunlight, high and low temperatures, and is not prone to cracking. Among other materials, butyl rubber has only one drawback - it is not cheap, but its service life is more than 50 years.

If we are talking about complete reliability and durability, then there is only one material left - reinforced concrete. Unlike pond bowls formed by film or cast materials, you can walk safely along the bottom of a concrete reservoir - it is difficult to damage such a bottom. However, it is more difficult to work with concrete; full compliance with the technology will be required (welding of reinforcement, manufacturing of formwork), double waterproofing (on both sides of the concrete casting, both outside and inside) - to protect it from groundwater, i.e. the cost of such work will be the highest. You can use special grades of concrete that is not exposed to water, but it will cost even more and its use will require strict adherence to casting technologies.

Let's summarize the characteristics of materials for artificial ponds

The main advantages of film waterproofing: the ability to form the required shape, change the shape of the reservoir in the future, ease of repair (if the film breaks). Minus: in winter, the water from the reservoir will have to be poured out, if it freezes and expands, it will inevitably break the film.

The advantages of reinforced concrete: high reliability, independence from external climatic factors (subject to concreting technology), resistance to physical influences (falling stones, rodents, etc.). Cons: high labor intensity, extremely difficult alteration. As a rule, the creation of artificial ponds from concrete is not popular, since the film is much easier to use. But if you plan to build bridges over the reservoir and sculptural compositions on its banks, the best choice would be reinforced concrete.

When creating garden ponds, you need to make sure that the selected materials are completely non-toxic, otherwise the fish and plants in the pond will not survive.

Pond in the garden on the basis of a ready-made (hard) container

When choosing a rigid container for creating a pond with a total area of ​​up to 4 m 2, it is worth stopping at a fiberglass or plastic bathtub. The minimum depth of such a container should be about 800 mm - the water in such a pond will evenly warm up in summer, and in winter it will not freeze to the bottom.

A ready-made container as a basis for a garden pond will allow you not to engage in cutting and fixing (activities performed when constructing a film base of a pond), there is no need to build a general configuration - everything has already been done, the container is equipped with terraces for planting aquatic plants. The choice should be considered carefully - it will not be possible to change it.

Ready-made pond baths are quite durable, they are not afraid of winter frosts. Nevertheless, when transporting the pond container to the site, it must be handled carefully and not to be stepped on. The thickness of the walls of such a tank is 3 mm and in case of mechanical damage cracks will appear, which will be difficult to seal.

The shortest service life has cheap baths made of plastic - they are gradually destroyed by sunlight, and the surface of such containers cracks when bending. In contrast to them, containers made of reinforced plastic are more resistant to ultraviolet radiation, have a greater margin of safety (they are more plastic) - the service life of such reservoirs for ponds is up to 20 years.

The best and therefore the most expensive are fiberglass tanks with a rubber base. A reservoir based on them will last more than 30 years and, unlike plastic containers, they can be repaired without damage. general characteristics... Fiberglass is the most resistant to low / high temperatures and exposure to sunlight, it has high environmental performance and is completely safe for the flora and fauna of an artificial reservoir.

In addition to quality characteristics, fiberglass containers also have aesthetic appeal: they can be of three colors - black, brown and green; on their edges is applied decorative coating imitating natural materials, which makes it easier to give the artificial pond a natural look.

Fiberglass baths are produced not only for ponds, but also for streams. Tanks for simulating a stream have an outwardly "stone" texture and easily fit into the general landscape, and the multi-stage shape allows you to conveniently plant aquatic plants. The bed of such a stream is fenced on the sides by protrusions that protect the roots of plants from being washed away.

Artificial reservoir with membrane waterproofing

The flooring of flexible coverings is carried out both in the prepared foundation pit and between the erected walls raised above the ground level. Such a decision in creating a pond in the country is justified if the estimated size of the future reservoir is larger than the parameters of hard shells offered by specialized stores. The film coating is also used to create reservoirs of complex shapes - the use of a waterproofing film will greatly facilitate this task.

To create a reservoir, you can use polyethylene (thickness 500 microns), laid in two layers, among other film coatings, its cost is the lowest. Although the characteristics of polyethylene are more than minimal: it is easy to tear (with sharp stones, animal claws, etc.), it becomes fragile under the influence of the sun, and practically cannot be repaired if damaged. The polyethylene coating will provide waterproofing of the reservoir for no more than 5 years (on average - 3 years). This is rather a temporary solution for those summer residents who do not like constancy - after three years there is an excellent reason to change the place of the pond.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating will cost more than polyethylene, but it will also last longer - on average about 8-10 years. Manufacturers offer two types of polyvinyl chloride coating: the usual two-layer and reinforced, in which a woven mesh is laid between the layers of the film (for strength). In general, such a coating has all the disadvantages of polyethylene. Solar ultraviolet light destroys the strength of the PVC film, it is easy to perforate. But, unlike plastic wrap, damage in PVC foil can be repaired using a dedicated repair kit. In addition, this film stretches better - after filling the reservoir with water, most of the folds will stretch out and even out.

The best pond film is made of butyl rubber - this material is durable (service life of about 50 years), strong and not subject to UV damage. Butyl rubber film comes in three colors: black, stone-colored and charcoal-colored. If the soil on your site contains a large number of stones, or it is planned to build a reservoir with a high load on the base (great depth and considerable width of the pond), choose a butyl rubber cover and you will not be mistaken.

Characteristics of the butyl rubber coating: high plasticity, ease of installation, regardless of the season and air temperature. Low temperatures do not affect this coating, so there is no need to drain the water from the reservoir for the winter.

Pond film - which color is better

The color of the film will seriously affect general form reservoir. The black bottom will turn the reservoir into a kind of mirror, in it the reflections of the sky and clouds, plants planted along the coastal edge will be clearly visible. A film of black or brown color will serve as a good imitation of the natural bottom soil. A creamy or blue bottom will look unnatural, but motley fish look great against such a background. If you choose a grayish or bluish shade, the pond will look like a swimming pool. Choose the color of the film depending on the functions of the reservoir: if it is a pond - black or brown, if the pool - white or blue.

How to create a decorative pond using film

We draw the contour of the future pond at the selected place and determine the required size of the film. The calculation of the film coverage is done as follows: the width and length of the canvas will be equal to the sum consisting of the width (in the second case, the length) of the future reservoir, double the depth and 600 mm allowance for fixing the film along the edges of the pond.

It should be taken into account that the standard parameters of a roll of butyl rubber film are as follows: width from 4.5 to 15.25 m (more precisely, 4.5; 6.1; 9.15; 12.20 and 15.25 m) , length - 20-25 running meters. Sometimes it is easier to make adjustments to the parameters of the future pond than to glue together pieces of film. If there is a need to glue the pond film - this is quite possible, you will only need special adhesives and adhesive tape from the same manufacturer as the selected film. To obtain a high-quality seam when gluing a butyl rubber film, use a mastic followed by hot vulcanization.

In addition to a waterproofing film, when forming a bowl of a reservoir, geotextiles will be required (optimal density - 350 g / m 2) - for an insulating coating, it will act as a protective layer (from tree roots, teeth and claws of animals, sharp stones, etc.).

To create a reservoir with your own hands, you will need: sand (for the underlying layer), a spirit level (building level), a roll of cord (or twine for marking), wooden pegs, a garden hose, shovels.

We create a pit for a reservoir

First of all, assess the future shape of the reservoir, for this with a hose of sufficient length and pegs - change the position of the fragments of the hose until the shape of the bowl of the reservoir suits you. When planning a free-form pond, try to get rounded lines without sharp corners - such a pond will look better. In the process of planning the pond, mark out the terraces for pond plants along its edges, they are carried out at a depth of 300 mm.

Having decided on the shape of the reservoir and completing the markup, proceed to work on the foundation pit. First, terraces of three hundred millimeters come off (after filling the reservoir, the distance from the terrace to the water level will be about 200 mm). The banks of the future pond should have a slope of approximately 45o. In the process of creating a pit, try to remove all plant roots and stones that come across to you. After completing work on the terraces, check the horizontality of the banks using a board with a spirit level laid on it.

The next stage of work is the formation of the main bowl of the reservoir, its deep part. Remember: the minimum required pond depth is 600 mm. Such a reservoir will not freeze completely in winter, and in summer, pond fish can find shelter at such a depth from the scorching rays of the sun. Then, along the coastline, it is necessary to open a ledge with a depth of 60-70 mm, for the subsequent laying out of a blind area of ​​tiles, brick, natural stone or laying sod.

We form a drainage layer and waterproofing

Having completed the work on the pit, it is necessary to pour the washed sand with a layer of 30-50 mm over its entire area - the sand is placed on the bottom, banks and terraces, carefully rammed. After making sure that the sand drainage is done well enough (no unevenness), lay a geotextile on top to insulate the film covering from damage.

The next step is to lay the prepared sheet of film. Do not try to align the film with the contours of the reservoir - let it hang over it - lay it loosely. Align the film strip along the banks, securing the edges with a sufficient number of bricks (stones).

Connect a garden hose to a water source and feed it in the center of the film laid over the pit - it will gradually shrink, taking the shape of a reservoir. Watch for subsidence by moving the holding stones along the banks. After completely filling the artificial reservoir, you need to wait a day, then cut off the excess film, leaving a margin of 250-300 mm along its edges (a blind area will be laid on them). Secure the edges around the perimeter of the pond using wood wedges or wire arches.

The next stage is laying the blind area. Its width must be at least 600 mm, it is made of tiles, bricks or natural stone. The blind area must be laid on cement mortar- if you lay only on a pillow of sand, a person who stepped on the tile can move with it into the pond.

Summer residents planning a waterfall or fountain in an artificial reservoir should lay and close the water supply hose with a blind area before laying the tiles on the cement mortar. The same should be done if there is a need for power supply to the pond (underwater floodlights, water pumps) by passing a plastic or copper tube for the subsequent pulling of an electric cable.

Creation of a body of water raised above ground level

For such a reservoir, at least one retaining wall is required. The foundation for such a reservoir is required, otherwise the pond bowl may be skewed.

The construction of a reservoir above ground level is carried out in the same way as the construction of an ordinary garden wall: the place and parameters of the future pond are determined, trenches are dug out to lay the foundation. After casting, the foundation must harden within two full days.

When creating a body of water half submerged in the ground, dig a pit in the deepest part, then form terraces for planting plants (about concrete foundation). Then carefully remove all stones and place a sand pillow on the bottom of the pit.

Line up retaining walls around the perimeter of the pond, carefully monitoring the position of each row. Before laying the waterproofing film, let it stand for 48 hours - the wall mortar must completely harden.

Place the film so that its edges protrude evenly from all sides of the support wall. If your future pond is rectangular or square shape, form folds from the film in the form of a neat accordion at the inner corners. The sheet of film must be pressed against the top of the supporting walls with bricks for a while.

Gradually fill the sagging film over the pond with water by moving or removing the pressure stones on the support walls, smoothing out the corner folds. After filling the reservoir completely, cut off the excess film at the edges, keeping the indentation at half the size of the support wall (it will be covered with stones when the ridge is formed). Remove water from the reservoir. We install ridge stones to protect the edges of the film. The pond is ready - we fill it with water, place plants and fish.

Decorating a country pond

The garden reservoir itself is not bad - you can put a gazebo near the water and relax on a hot afternoon in the shade and coolness, watching the game of fish in its depths. But you can turn it into something enchanting and colorful - fountains created by a system of pumps and underwater lighting will help here.

Pond pumps are produced in two versions: surface and underwater. Let's say you want a two-meter jet of water to flow from the pond - here you need an underwater pump. If a two-meter fountain is not enough, choose a surface pump and you will be provided with a really high water column.

The underwater pump is mounted at the bottom of the pond: first put stone base, a pump is placed on it and closed from above with a ceramic casing made under natural stone... The complete kit (pump, plinth and casing) can be purchased from one dealer.

How an underwater pump works: it draws in water from the bottom of the reservoir and sweeps it over the water surface using special nozzles. If the fountain or waterfall is installed separately from the reservoir, water is supplied through the supply pipes. Some pump models can simultaneously supply water for both a waterfall and a fountain. The pump is powered via a waterproof electrical cable.

The surface pump is installed in a camouflaged brick chamber on the shore of a reservoir, not far from a fountain or waterfall. Water is supplied to the pump from the reservoir through a pipe with a required filter at the inlet. A surface pump needs more technical equipment than an underwater pump - a drain system, filters (on the suction pipe), a suction system. Otherwise, it will overheat.

The greatest effect from the work of fountains is achieved in reservoirs of the correct shape. Fountains are placed in the center of the reservoir in such a way that the water thrown out by them does not fall on the coastal plants.

The type of fountain and the height of the jet discharge depend on the type of nozzle installed on the subsea pump. The stream of water itself, depending on the installed nozzle, can be in the form of, say, a bell or a beating key. A boring fountain tube can be decorated with fiberglass, stone, bronze or ceramic cladding. If cladding is used, the water nozzle is attached to the brass connector that the cladding is equipped with. The cladding body is placed either on the bottom of the reservoir, or on a special stand.

Backlighting will help create a magical atmosphere in the evening and at night. Lighting equipment for private reservoirs is designed for power supply of 12 V. The power of halogen lamps in lamps can be from 5 to 75 W - it is enough for bright lighting, because the luminous flux of such lamps is 3 times higher than that of household lamps.

Mini-floodlights are installed on a special support or on a fountain nozzle, illuminating the scattering spray of water. There are floating lanterns, they consist of a light bulb placed in a sealed glass ball. They can be lowered to a certain depth in the reservoir, suspended from a load, or installed at the bottom. Thanks to the equipment of the spotlights with color filters and rotary devices, the night pond will acquire a simply stunning view.

How to care for a pond

The natural balance of the reservoir will be formed quickly enough. To maintain it, it is necessary to remove all wind-blown debris and fallen leaves before this mass falls to the bottom and begins to decompose. It is quite possible that the bottom of the reservoir will have to be cleaned with a net every autumn, removing bottom debris.

To protect the water area of ​​the pond from falling leaves, you can use a fine-mesh net - it should be pulled over the pond mirror before the autumn leaf fall and removed closer to winter. Or use a skimmer - a special pump for collecting floating debris.

A bottom vacuum cleaner is useful for cleaning the bottom - its design resembles a conventional one, but it does not have a filter. Water from the bottom of the pond is sucked into the device, as the chamber is full, the device automatically turns off and the container with dirt must be emptied into the drainage system.

If you have settled fish in your decorative pond, then they will need oxygen. If there is a lack of it, use aerator pumps - they resemble aquarium ones, only bigger size and power.

The main problem facing the owners of reservoirs with the beginning of the warm season is that the water in it becomes green, which is caused by the active reproduction of the simplest algae. Most often, this problem is faced by the owners of small reservoirs with a shallow depth and therefore quickly warmed up by the sun's rays. It is possible to prevent overheating of the water with the help of aquatic plants with large floating leaves (water lilies and egg capsules), as well as planting oxygen generators - plants that fill the pond water with oxygen (canadian elodea, hornwort, swamp).

At the beginning of spring, when the plants have not yet had time to develop enough, the use of chemical control agents (algicides) is required. However, these drugs are harmful to both humans and aquatic inhabitants - therefore, they should only be treated as a last resort.

Birds and cats can be dangerous for fish in the pond, for them fish is a subject of hunting. To protect pond fish from birds (for example, herons), you need to tighten the space above the shallow areas of the pond with a net or black threads (the latter solution is especially successful - black threads are practically invisible against the background of the water surface). An obstacle for cats will be a decorative wire fence (at least 150 mm high), usually used to fence flower beds.

The main danger to aquatic fauna in areas prone to frequent frost is ice. The ice shell, which steadily overlaps the reservoir for more than a day, will lead to the accumulation of poisonous gases formed by decaying remains of vegetation and, as a result, partial or complete death of the fish. It is necessary that a part of the pond is always free of ice, the best solution there will be a special small heater. Do not try to break the ice using force - hits on the ice shell can stun and even kill the fish.

If your artificial reservoir has a great depth, use a pump to supply warm water from depth to the water surface - this measure will prevent the formation of ice. As a last resort, in the absence of other methods and means, arrange an exhaust hole in the ice shell - a wormwood; for this, put a pot of boiling water on the ice (after the wormwood has formed, do not forget to remove the pan!).

How to properly plant a pond

Aquatic plants perform an important task - they are a kind of water filters. The biological balance will be established when at least one third of the artificial reservoir is allocated for plants. Moreover, each type of aquatic plant requires planting at a certain depth.

So, the reservoir is finished, filled with water - it needs to be allowed to settle for 10 days and only then start planting plants. The best time to plant aquatic plants is early summer.

Plants can be planted in laid soil at the bottom of the reservoir, but it is best to place them in mesh baskets, placing the latter on the bottom. Plants in baskets are easier to care for - move them to a warm room for wintering and reproduce. The soil in the baskets is ordinary soil from the garden; its enrichment with manure, fertilizers or peat is not required. A clean burlap or other rough cloth placed on top will help keep the soil in the baskets from being washed away by water. Place medium gravel on top of the cloth to protect the roots from the pond fish.

Remove especially long roots and old leaves from plants before planting. After planting, compact the soil around the stem of the plant in such a way that the distance between the soil and the edge of the basket is 40 mm.

Some types of pond plants do not require planting - they float freely on the surface of the reservoir, keeping themselves afloat. Representatives of such plants are water lilies and lotus. Such plants must be closely monitored, since in favorable conditions they will multiply quickly and occupy the entire pond - from time to time some of them need to be removed. The main plant problem for any enclosed reservoir is duckweed, which multiplies rapidly and tends to capture the entire area of ​​the reservoir - do not plant it on purpose!

When buying aquatic plants, be sure to ask the seller at what depth they should be planted. When planting, adhere to the measure - plants need light, and dense thickets on the water surface look little attractive.

In the winter season, aquatic plants, whose natural habitat is a temperate climate, remain in the reservoir. If you have planted exotic plants from warm countries in the pond, then they should winter outside the pond. Take them out and place them in an indoor pond - an aquarium or a bathtub, before doing this by pruning especially overgrown plants.

An important point: when transferring plants for the winter indoors, do not forget to provide them with sufficient lighting.

Taking care of fish in the pond

For the full existence of fish in a summer cottage pond, its depth should be no less than 1200 mm. At a shallower depth, the fish need to winter outside the pond, otherwise it will die. You cannot put just bought fish in the pond, give it time to acclimatize - it must get used to the temperature of the water in the pond. Let the tank with the fish swim on the pond - this measure will avoid the shock state of the fish.

If you did not purchase fish from specialized stores, then you should not immediately release them into the garden pond. Place them in your aquarium by filling it with pond water. The time of such a quarantine should be at least seven days - this way you will find out if the fish is sick.

Now about fish nutrition. In principle, there should be enough food for them in the pond: duckweed, algae, mosquito larvae and other insects living at the bottom of the reservoir. However, if there is not enough food or the number of fish increases, it needs to be fed. Buy fish food in specialized stores - it contains everything you need for pond fauna, in addition, such food is enriched with oxygen and will not become a source of pollution for the pond, it will float on the surface for some time. Give the fish as much food as they can eat in 10 minutes, otherwise it will sink and rot.

Fish have a special need for vitamins in spring, increase the number of feedings this season. In autumn, when the temperature in the reservoir drops below 10 ° C, completely stop feeding.

Constantly monitor the condition of the fish, do not overfeed them, control their number (optimal: for 50 liters of water - one fish 100-150 mm long. Keep in mind that the fish is growing!).

A sick fish can be identified by its behavior: it usually swims in circles and at the same time "staggers", rubs its sides against objects in the reservoir, lies on its side on the surface. The presence of diseases is evidenced by "glued" fins, white bloom on the eyes, snout, fins, or gills. Having found a sick individual, immediately isolate it from the rest and place it in the aquarium. Then visit the pet store, describe to the specialist the signs of the disease and buy the necessary medications.

A pond is a good decoration for a summer house or garden. Many are trying to bring the landscape of their land closer to the natural one. Water has magical properties and always attracts the eyes and thoughts of people to itself. Almost always, the concept of rest is combined with the concept of rest by the water.

But in many summer cottages there are no streams or lakes. Very often they are not even nearby, but you really want a good rest in nature. But there is a way out.

Your own pond in the country is real

A small, self-made pond will become a favorite resting place. This man-made miracle can make your dreams come true. decorative pond in the garden or in the country and even become a platform for aquatic floriculture.

With the help of a waterproof film coating, you can make a reservoir of any shape and different area: from the smallest to large enough reservoirs. It all depends on the size of the site and the design of the landscape.

Using various decorative materials and decorations, you can make the pond look like a natural mountain reservoir or, conversely, a landscaped pool. With the help of a pump, you can make a waterfall or a fountain, create an imitation of a mountain stream. You can launch fish into the pond, plant water plants. In combination with decorative elements, all this looks impressive and creates a favorable atmosphere.

You can make a small mini pond in the country with your own hands on almost any site, with any soil, and for this you do not need any equipment or complex devices.

To do this, you will need the following materials:

• special film for creating reservoirs;
• geotextile;
• sand;
• decorative stones;
• a hose for supplying water to the pool;
• scissors;
• shovel;
• level.

PVC film or butyl rubber is used as a waterproofing film for ponds.

It is better to purchase a special film in the appropriate store. For small pools, you can safely use PVC film. But if you are seriously carried away landscape design and if you want to make an original pond using decorative forms and plants, it is better to use butyl rubber. This material is very flexible, elastic, durable (service life is more than 30 years). In addition, if suddenly there are some changes and you decide to change the shape of the pond, you can reuse this film.

Pond device in the photo

You need to start by deciding on the location and shape of the pond. You also need to decide what this reservoir will be used for. If in the future fish will be bred in it, then the depth of the deepest part of the pond should be at least 1.5-2.0, and for northern regions and more meters. This is necessary so that the reservoir does not freeze in winter and the fish would have a place to winter. The deepest place itself should not be very large, and even in small bodies of water fish can be found.

The minimum depth of the reservoir is usually at least 50-80 cm. At a shallower depth, the water will overheat in summer and this will lead to the development of unfavorable flora in the reservoir. And in winter, accordingly, such a pond will freeze and the plants and microorganisms that inhabited it will not survive in it.

The bottom of the pond is most often made with ledges. The bottom relief of the reservoir has several zones:

• coastal;
• shallow water;
• deep zone.

The coastal zone is usually a small strip along the coast. Its depth is about 15-20 cm. The shallow water zone can be decorated with small stones or tiles. Shallow water is considered to be up to 50 cm deep. Plants are bred here. This is the place for decorative compositions, which can be made from groups of large stones with the use of decorative ornaments.

The depth zone in ordinary decorative ponds is most often 80-120 cm. Here you can also plant plants that grow at a depth. Most often, water lilies (nymphs) are planted there.

There are many varieties that are good for winter and are adapted for cold winters. They bloom for almost six months, from late April to mid-October. It turns out to be a very beautiful blooming pond.

If the pond is made only for breeding plants, then it does not have to be deep. A depth of 60-90 cm is quite enough. It is at this depth that it is recommended to plant nymphs in the regions of the middle and northern strip. It is better to make the mirror of the reservoir itself as much as possible, so that they have where to grow, because one plant can occupy a fairly large area on the surface of the water.

For good flowering nymphs (they are lilies and water lilies) need a lot of light. This must be taken into account when choosing a place for a pond. There are more shade-loving lilies, but they also need lighting for 4-5 hours a day. There are a large number of varieties of nymphs and a variety of colors, from white and white-pink to red and dark purple.

Pontederia and nymphs in the pond

For the framing of the pond and shallow water zone, it is also better to choose plants that grow well in this climatic region. The pond then looks natural and does not require much maintenance. It is best to use traditional plants: sedge, reed, reed, reed mace. From flowering, you can plant arrowhead, pontederia, loosestrife (weeping grass), lungwort.

Loosestrife

The willow loosestrife has not only decorative qualities, it is also a medicinal plant. Marsh iris looks very nice. But in the coastal zone of the reservoir, both on the shore and in shallow water, decorative irises also grow well, because they are very fond of water and go well with herbaceous coastal plants.

Step-by-step instruction

How to make a decorative pond in the country or in the garden with your own hands? Consider a step-by-step instruction with a photo.

Step 1. Layout and layout of the site... The contour of the pond is drawn on the selected area. The projections of all contours of depths are also applied.

Marking can be done by laying a rope or hose on the surface. You can draw contour lines with sand.

Before you start digging a pit, you need to make a vertical layout of the area on which the pond will be located. In order to prevent it from happening that through one of the low edges of the reservoir, water will flow out of it, it is necessary to check the horizontal level along the entire planned edge of the reservoir. The plane of the entire edge should be horizontal, at the same level.

This can be checked with a long stick and a level. Or by hammering in pegs on opposite sides of the pool, pull a rope over them and then attach a level to it. If in some places the surface of the earth is below the required mark, then it is necessary to fill up the soil there.

Step 2. Pit... After leveling the site, we proceed to tearing off the pit. It should be done 5-10 cm deeper than the design depth of the pond.

The bottom is thoroughly cleaned from the remains of vegetation, roots and stones. It is important to do this carefully, because stones and other objects can subsequently damage the waterproofing film. Sand is poured into the bottom with a layer of 5 cm and rammed into the ground.

Around the contour of the pond, at a short distance from it - about 20 cm, a small trench is being dug. The approximate width and depth of the trench are 15-20 cm. The edge of the film will be fixed in it.

Step 3. Determination of the dimensions of the waterproofing film. To determine the overall dimensions of the film, it is necessary to measure the length and width of the bottom of the excavation at its widest points. It is convenient to do this using cords that are laid out along the bottom. To the resulting length, you need to add 50 cm on each side, which are needed to equip the coastline.

Step 4. We cover the bottom with geotextile and waterproofing film... First, the bottom is lined with a layer of geotextile. This protects the waterproofing film from possible damage.

The film itself is applied on top, neatly filling in all the bends of the relief. If the project provides for the supply of water in the future through a hose that is placed on the bottom, then it can be hidden in the folds of the film.

We press the film well to the ground and temporarily fix it with stones so that it does not move. The film should also be inserted into the groove that has been dug around the pool. The film is pressed with something heavy for temporary fixation. But until they fall asleep, tk. during the filling of the pool with water, the film may still move.

Step 5. Arrangement of the deep zone. If the project provides for planting plants in the deep zone, then now is the time to install them there.

Plants are planted in special containers. The container is filled with substrate. The containers are placed in the right place on the bottom of the pool. Stones are also laid out at the bottom, if they are provided for by the project. Large stones look beautiful at the bottom.

Step 6. Filling the pond with water. After laying the film, you can fill the depth zone of the pond with water. The water must be filled with a slight pressure so that the pool fills up gradually. Thus, water, squeezing air out from under the film, will smoothly occupy the required space and form the bottom. In this case, the film can move slightly until it reaches the correct position under the pressure of water.

If you pour water quickly, then excess stress in the film or air voids under it may appear, which in the future may lead to a tear of the film.

Step 7. Planting plants in shallow and coastal areas... In the shallow and coastal area of ​​the pond, containers with appropriate plants are installed. Rubble is poured around the containers. Larger stones are also laid out, which can protrude from the water, creating islands. In the coastal zone, the bottom is usually covered with small stones. After installing the flowerpots, the reservoir is filled with water to the brim.

Step6. Fixing the edges of the film. Making an earthen castle... After the pond is completely filled with water and the film has completely fallen into place, you can proceed to the construction of an earthen lock, which will finally fix the film in the desired position. And it will also serve as a barrier between the aquatic environment and the ground, so that these environments do not mix, and the reservoir has a clear line.

The edges of the film are led into this trench, which has been dug around the pond. Crushed stone is poured on top of the film. It will serve as a fixing weight to hold the film. Further, the trench is covered with earth and a small earthen roller is made along the contour of the pond.

The unnecessary edges of the film are cut off.

Step 7. Arrangement of the coastline... The next stage is the arrangement of the pond framing. Depending on the design, stone or slab paving can be made on the shore.

If the pond was created in the form of an imitation of a natural reservoir, then it is enough to lay out a few large stones. Paths are made along the line of the pond; a bridge can be made across the pond itself. Here you can give free rein to your imagination and create a pond completely with your own hands as you please.

How to make a pond with your own hands video

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Many owners of suburban, private, summer cottages dream of having their own pond. As practice shows, it is quite possible to create a decorative reservoir with your own hands. In this article, we will talk about the main features of making a pond with our own hands, pay attention to the recommendations of specialists regarding this topic, and determine the main criteria for choosing a place for digging a pit for an artificial reservoir on the site.

The main types of reservoirs in your area

Have your own water oasis on a private plot in last years became fashion trend... As a rule, each owner tries to diversify this type of landscape structures with various original ideas. But, before we talk about specific types of artificial reservoirs, let's consider what they are in general. The table shows the main types of reservoirs in summer cottages:

The main types of reservoirs
Waterfall	This is an artificially created reservoir, a feature of which is considered to be falling, noisy water from top to bottom. Such structures work due to a specially equipped pumping system. The correctly chosen place for the arrangement of the waterfall is an area with an inclined relief.
Fountain	Artificial reservoirs of this type are usually divided into two groups: submersible and stationary. Stationary structures are independent elements of the territory, submerged ones are most often an additional element of the pond.
Stream	Requires a water supply system (for example, a small pond, etc.). Due to overflows, bends, stone obstacles, the stream of its own production looks not only original, beautiful, but also as natural and natural as possible.
Pond	This is a reservoir, the principle of creation of which is considered to be the blocking of a watercourse. Usually it is formed on small rivers or in the process of creating a dam. The sizes of such reservoirs can vary from the smallest to significant dimensions.
Swamp	An original creation on the site is considered to be a decorative swamp. On such artificial reservoirs it is customary to breed attractive, rare waterfowl. For this to be possible, the depth of such a water system must be shallow.

Another criterion, based on which reservoirs are divided into types, is the purpose of this structure. So, the following are distinguished:

• small;
• decorative;
• for swimming;
• reservoirs for fish farming.

The creation of an artificial water structure on the site does not require special financial investments. in this case, attention to detail is important, not specialists, beginners should familiarize themselves with the advice and recommendations of real professionals.

The correct location of the reservoir on the site

When choosing a suitable territory for the construction of a reservoir with your own hands, you should be extremely careful so as not to damage it during digging gas system etc. Taking into account all generally accepted rules, an artificial pond (or other species) should not occupy more than 3% of the site. In order for the design to become not only a decoration, but also to be practical at any time of the year, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

• there should be no trees on the territory around the reservoir: the leaves will fall off, this will require frequent cleaning, and strong roots can destroy structures from under the ground;
• from the aesthetic point of view, the reservoir should be clearly visible from the house;
• a correctly chosen place assumes a convenient approach to a water structure, the ability to equip any path;
• the hit of sunlight on the reservoir is also important, ideally it should be illuminated for about 7 hours a day;
• it should be possible to shelter, protect the reservoir from strong, cold winds.

Basic materials and tools for making a pond with your own hands

To make a pond on a site with your own hands, as practice shows, they choose the most various materials... Rigid plastic, PVC sheeting, concrete and other building materials initially form the basis of the time required to operate and the budget of the process. Often, the owners use the materials available on the farm to build a small pond in the yard. This range includes various fiberglass bowls, old sinks and bathtubs, barrels, etc.

To create an artificial reservoir, liquid rubber, butyl rubber film, EPDM membrane, etc. are also used.

To work with different kind materials, as a rule, different tools are required, but still for some work there is a number of irreplaceable tools:

• digging shovel;
• roulette;
• gloves;
• bucket;
• pegs and rope;
• Master OK;
• a hammer;
• rake and pitchfork;
• scissors of various types;
• copper pipes, grinder, etc.

DIY hard plastic pond

The basis for creating a pond in the garden may already be finished structure made of hard plastic. The advantages of this option are the minimum time spent on assembly work(in comparison with others), reliability of use at any time of the year, the ability to create a reservoir of any shape, etc. At the same time, one of the main disadvantages is the financial cost of high-quality material, since it is cheap, not durable material can soon become the reason for the rejection and unsuitability of the pond. There are several steps involved in creating a hard plastic pond.

1. The marking of the selected area is being prepared.

2. The pit is dug, cleaned, with a margin of at least 8-10 cm.

3. A container made of hard plastic of the desired shape and size is placed in the finished pit.

4. Using the building level, the horizontal installation of the tank is checked.

5. One third of the vessel is filled with water. Then, the fixing of the bowl begins with the help of sand, which is filled up from the sides.

If there is already finished bowl, small in size, it will take no more than 3-4 days to work. A do-it-yourself hard plastic pond is a good alternative along with other options.

DIY pvc film pond

The creation of private ponds based on various types of building films, including PVC, is also known. The durability of this type of structure directly depends on the strength, thickness and quality of the selected material.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film is the best option for producing a small pond with your own hands on the site. She is known for the following characteristics:

• usually does not contain harmful substances;
• sold in rolls of various thicknesses and widths;
• resistant to temperature extremes, has good frost-resistant qualities;
• with the correct choice of PVC film thickness, the pond's durability will be more than 10 years.

When choosing PVC material for work, you should pay attention to characteristics such as moisture resistance, resistance to ground salts, UV resistance, etc.

Diy pond from a reinforced concrete bowl

One of the most difficult, in terms of technical characteristics, options for creating a reservoir on the site is considered concrete structure... First, it is a rather laborious, time-consuming and costly process. Secondly, this business requires certain building skills. However, reservoirs made of reinforced concrete material are distinguished by their durability, strength and reliability. By creating this type of pond, you can maximize any original ideas and create a water structure of any size.

Using this material when producing your own pond on the site, you should additionally take care of:

• waterproofing structures;
• additional processing of the structure with a frost-resistant agent;
• strengthening the structure with reinforcement, etc.

This type of body of water requires such building materials like sand, cement, cement primer, crushed stone, etc.

The main work on making a pond with your own hands. Sketch

The main work on making a pond with your own hands is based on a ready-made, individually created sketch. This construction document allows you to graphically display all the nuances of the future design and work on it. At home, the master, beginners rely on ready-made drawings and ideas with which the Internet is richer. Construction specialists write that when creating a sketch for the construction of a pond, it is important to pay attention to the presence of steps (ground drops) in the reservoir. Detail in the drawing will avoid huge amount construction problems and inaccuracies.

We have already briefly mentioned above the main stages of work on the manufacture of a pond, but it is worth considering in more detail the issues related to the preparation of the pit, about laying the substrate and film.

Digging a pit, laying the substrate and film

Physical work, regarding the manufacture of a pond with your own hands, begins with digging a foundation pit. But before you start digging a hole, you must first clean up the area from possible debris and foliage. Next, mark the selected area and only then remove the sod. Experts recommend digging from edge to center, while constantly adjusting irregularities and observing the edges of the marked area. Do not forget about a 10 cm supply of land (even such minor errors in the process can be very significant).

Further, the finished pit must be equipped with high-quality waterproofing. This is done so that the water from the pond does not go into the ground. In construction, there are several options for how to form the so-called substrate in the pit:

1. Using different kinds to lay stones and tamp the foundation pit;

2. Apply geotextiles, which should be covered with sand;

3. Use a film.

The most common of the above methods is the latter.

A pillow inside the pit made of PVC film requires special attention, since incorrect installation work can result in damage to the film layer, for example, by tree roots, etc.

When laying this material on the bottom of the pit, it is important to follow some rules:

• usually the relief of reservoirs is characterized by folding, therefore professionals advise to make one large fold, and avoid the appearance of many small ones;
• in order to fix the film in the pit, it is better to create an additional trench;
• you should make sure that the film material is so stretched in the pit, at this point it is important that the PVC material lies freely, otherwise, after filling the pond with water, it may burst;
• in order to lay out the film with stones, it is best to use small types. Another point, small rounded stones, without ribbed surfaces, would be a good option;
• the edges of the film are recommended to be cut off after the foundation pit has stood for more than 2 days.

DIY pond care

In order to turn the pond into a multifunctional system, filtration systems, pumps and other equipment are additionally installed. There are several methods of pond care in different time of the year:

• mechanical;
• biological;
• chemical;
• UV.

The mechanical method consists in the use of special filter containers that remove small particles from the reservoir. By choosing a system with fine nozzles, even the smallest particles can be neutralized.

To normalize the biological indicators of water in the pond, a biological method is used. Its principle of operation is to use filters that are able to neutralize biological residues, etc.

The chemical method of cleaning allows you to normalize the acidity of the water in the pond, saturate it with oxygen, etc. However, if fish live in the reservoir, this method can only do harm.

The last method is to apply ultraviolet lamps, the main function of which, in this case, is the disinfection of water. Ultraviolet light copes well with harmful viruses and bacteria.

To the above methods, you can add the most elementary physical work that will keep the reservoir clean. The owners are required to thoroughly purify the water from leaves, regularly change the water, remove silt and algae, etc. Experts recommend breeding a range of aquatic plants that are considered natural filters. This is not only useful but also very beautiful.

For more information on how to make a pond on a site with your own hands, watch the video:

How nice it is to sit by the pond on a fine sunny day, admire the water surface, relax, relax. But what if there is no body of water nearby? Build it yourself on your site! This will not require colossal financial influences. All the nuances of creating and arranging a small country pond will be discussed in our article.

Appointment

If you are planning to equip the landscape of your site and decide that you must have a pond in your yard, then before you start work, you need to determine what functionality the reservoir will have on your site.

According to their purpose, ponds can be divided into three types:

• decorative;
• a pond with fish;
• for swimming (pool).

Decorative

A decorative pond can be small, built solely to decorate some area of ​​the garden. As a component of a landscape composition, it can be its finishing touch or an original addition to a design project.

Such a pond is created for an aesthetic purpose: it is pleasant to admire it while sitting in the garden.

Decorative ponds can be larger: the pond itself is deeper, the compositions are larger, where bridges, fountains, streams, lighting can serve as decor. In addition to a pleasant sight, such ponds are also a place to relax: on a warm summer day around the reservoir, you can sit in sun loungers and get your dose of ultraviolet radiation.

For fish farming

Who among us does not dream of watching the fish frolicking in our own pond and pleasing the eyes of the household? In addition to the decorative function, such a pond will also perform the function of an antidepressant: fish swimming in the pond are an excellent soothing and relaxing agent.

This pond should be large enough for your fish to feel comfortable. It can be of absolutely any shape. But whoever you are thinking of breeding - crucian carp or ducks - do not forget about the need to filter the water, as well as enrich it with oxygen.

For swimming

Homemade swimming pond - salvation on a hot summer day! The size of such a pool will depend on your wishes and on the capabilities of your site. If the size of the plot allows, then you can build a beautiful pond in your yard in which you will swim in the summer. You can also get by with a smaller pool, in which it will be no less pleasant just to plunge into to cool off on a hot day.

Artificial reservoir style

Conventionally, ponds can be divided into two large main groups, each of which has many varieties:

• regular pond;
• landscape pond.

A regular pond is created using a pre-made mold. Surely you have thought out a landscape project in advance, so you already have a good idea of ​​how a home pond should look like. Based on the wishes for the design of the pond, you can choose the appropriate finished form: they are not only regular geometric, but also more complex types: broken, asymmetrical, and so on.

Landscape pond differs from the regular one in that the finished form is not used during its construction. Therefore, any configuration can be given to it.

Dimensions and appearance reservoir can also be different: you can build a small pond in japanese style, the main advantage of which is simplicity, but you can give free rein to imagination, not being limited to the standard round shape and create a large reservoir filled with various decorations.

How to make a pond with your own hands?

Let's assume that you have decided on the type and functionality of the pond. Now let's look at how to practically implement the conceived idea.

Where to begin?

Of course, one should start by determining the location and size of the future pond. The choice of location is very important. Still, a pond, even if it is functional, should please the eye of the owner, complement the landscape composition, fit into it perfectly, or even become an accent in your design project.

When choosing a place for a pond in the country, you should take into account not only and not so much its visual advantages, but a number of other factors that influence the choice of a place:

• Plot size. It goes without saying that the size of the pond will be the same as the size of your garden will allow.
• The relief of the site. Different terrain allows you to achieve different results: on a flat surface, you can create a wonderful laconic pond, the water in which will delight the eye with its smooth surface; uneven surface allows you to fantasize with fountains and waterfalls.

• Groundwater level and soil. You must consider these factors when determining the depth of the pond (you may need certain consumables and additional strength).
• Lighting. It is preferable to find the pond in the shade: exposure to direct sunlight for a long time will increase the evaporation of water, and microorganisms living in the water are activated, and the reservoir will lose all its attractiveness. To prevent this from happening, when choosing a place, pay attention to the light mode. This is especially true for small reservoirs and reservoirs with fish.
• Environment. Of course, the trees and shrubs surrounding the pond look very attractive, but do not forget that the foliage falling from these plants will pollute the pond, and the close proximity of the tree roots can spoil the waterproofing.

• Power supply. Special attention you need to pay attention to the location if you plan to decorate the pond with fountains or lighting in order to think in advance about the electrification of this part of the suburban area.
• Expansion perspective. You always need to take this point into account, perhaps in the future you will want to enlarge the pond itself or expand the recreation area by the reservoir, you wish to fix or redo something.

To do this, be sure to leave a piece of empty space in the garden on one side of the pond.

• Consistency with other buildings: after all, the pond is part of the overall composition, therefore, it is necessary to take into account the general appearance of the summer cottage, thinking over the design of the reservoir.
• And finally, the visual component. Of course, the pond should be pleasing to the eye, so its location must be arranged so that it can be seen from most parts of the garden.

The size of the pond, of course, depends on the size of the site, but not only on this. The size of the reservoir also depends on your design project, in the end, just on your desire.

So, let's consider the main parameters:

• Dimensions. There are no specific recommendations regarding the area of ​​the pond. Some sources have information that the reservoir should be located on an area up to approximately 10% of the entire garden area, but these are not fixed standards.
• Length and width. These parameters are taken into account based on the total size of the site. If you dig a hole for a reservoir with your own hands, then they also depend on your physical capabilities.
• Depth. Depends on the size of the reservoir, its potential functionality, soil and your physical strength (again, if you dig a foundation pit yourself).

• Zoning. Experts distinguish three parts:

1. Coastal(100-300 mm): plants growing in shallow water are located in it, and there is an entrance to the reservoir.
2. Shallow(300-900 mm): here is the place for other plants that live deeper.
3. Deep sea(from a meter and beyond): the area required for fish habitat. The larger and more diverse the living world of the reservoir, the greater part of the area is allocated to the deep-water zone. Also keep in mind: in order to winter period the fish in the pond is not frozen, the lower part of the pond should be located below the freezing level of the ground.

• Content. Have surprisingly, a large body of water is easier to care for than a small one.

What do you need?

When you have decided on the location and size of the future reservoir, it is time to purchase materials. Now on the market of construction and finishing materials you can purchase everything you need for arranging a pond:

• One of the most financially costly options is concrete pond... This reservoir will serve you for a long time, but take into account the functionality of the future pond: if you are going to build a pool, then this option may be the best choice for you, if not, study other proposed options and choose the most suitable one for you.

• Plastic containers- a simpler option. They come in different compositions (made of polyvinyl chloride or fiberglass), so their service life is also different: on average, from 10 to 30 years. The work on installing the bowl is simple, so this option is quite convenient: you need to dig a hole, set the mold, fill the voids with sand. However, there are also disadvantages in this option: plastic forms are quite expensive, they also need particularly careful transportation, are unstable to ultraviolet light, but they are resistant to frost.

The best choice in this case is a fiberglass mold with a rubber base.

The strongest and most reliable film is butyl rubber: it will last up to 50 years, it is also frost-resistant and very durable.

• You will also need the following materials and tools: a shovel, a hose for irrigation, a cord (for marking), stakes, a wheelbarrow for removing land, a purifying filter (especially relevant for reservoirs where fish are bred), a pump (with its help, the pressure required for filling water is formed, it will also be needed for construction of fountains and for the operation of cleaning filters), a sterilizer (needed for water purification), a compressor (aerator) (necessary for reservoirs in which fish live, as it saturates the water with oxygen).

Plan and calculations

So, you have thought about how your future pond will look like, found a suitable place for it, decided on the dimensions, materials, but you still do not know exactly how many materials will be needed to build the pond of your dreams. To find out, we will make calculations and, based on the size of the pond, we will calculate the optimal amount of materials required for its construction.

Suppose we decided to take polyvinyl chloride film (PVC) as a basis, since this material is affordable, durable enough and easy to use, and also subject to repair.

PVC film comes in different colors: black, brown, blue (or cream):

• black film will cover the bottom and allow you to observe the reflection of the sky on the surface of the reservoir;
• the brown film resembles a real bottom in color, which will make the reservoir more realistic;
• light film (blue or cream) will allow you to see its inhabitants under water, for example, fish.

When buying a film, you should take into account the composition (PVC is more durable than, for example, polyethylene film) and thickness (we need a film that is more than half a millimeter thick).

It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer, strength, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and the absence of toxic substances.

1. The length of the film is equal to the length of the reservoir + 2 the depth of the reservoir + 400-500 mm, just in case.
2. The width of the film is equal to the width of the reservoir + 2 depths of the reservoir + 400-500 mm, just in case.

It is necessary to glue the film with glue bought in the same place, in a hardware store, for example, "Tangit" or adhesive tape.

After you have dealt with the film, you will need to sketch your pond. First draw a mini-sketch on paper and then directly on the ground, indicating the depth and width of the container, and the depth and width of the steps. You can write with a garden hose or sand - this is convenient.

Making: a step-by-step guide

After all the preparatory stages have been successfully completed, you can proceed to the main steps:

1. Remove the top layer of soil.
2. Digging a hole.
3. We remove the ground.

Everything sounds pretty simple, but be careful, do not forget to take into account all the necessary further recesses (for plants, for steps, etc.), as well as the features of your reservoir (waterfall, pond, pool). When installing a pool, a large pit will have to be dug with an excavator, as in a full-scale construction.

When the job is done, the pit was dug up, and the walls were well rammed, you can proceed to waterproofing. If you do not pay close attention to it, then water will flow into the soil, and we do not need it at all. If you act correctly, then everything will turn out as it should.

There are three ways to form a substrate at the bottom of your pond:

• The simplest and cheap way- fill the bottom with sand and stones. But the result of this method is short-lived: a few years and such a substrate will cease to function properly.
• Another way is to cover the bottom with geotextiles. The result is, of course, more durable, but the cost of this method is also higher.
• This method is the most reliable: cover the bottom with PVC film. It is not very energy-consuming, and the result is the most durable.

Let's take a closer look at the third option, since its result will allow us to enjoy the pond in our garden for many years. The main thing is to follow the instructions.

The fact that we have chosen the film method of waterproofing does not at all prevent us from filling the bottom with sand before laying the film: this way we will protect the film from unnecessary damage by stones or roots. When laying, unfortunately, it will not work out completely without folds, but it is better to make one large fold than many small ones: then you can press it with stones or glue it. The main thing is not to stretch the film, otherwise it will break through under the weight of water.

To fix it, you need to dig an additional track, lay the film, fix it with rods and sprinkle the track with stones, and then lay the hole itself with them. When you are finished with the film, you should pour water into your pit. Do this gently, without harsh pressure. You should act carefully: the film, although strong, can still deteriorate and tear from improper actions. 1-2 days after filling with water, you can cut the film.

Now it is necessary to strengthen the bank so that the reservoir looks beautiful and neat. Let's pay attention to the soil: if it is black earth or clay, then you can make vertical walls, if it is sand, then the walls should be inclined. It is believed that the ideal slope of the pond bank is 45 °. With such a slope, the coast does not crumble, and during the freezing period the ice does not bulge. Do not forget about plants: since the depth of planting is different for all plants, it is necessary to provide shelves for planting in advance.

You can strengthen the gentle banks with a geogrid or geomat, and steep banks - with gabions, piles and retaining walls. By the way, there is an option for those who are not yet ready for such large-scale work on their site, but still want to be the owner of a small island of happiness in their garden. A pond can be built from completely improvised means. For example, from a tire.

The pit will need a much shallower depth, the film will need much less, and in the end there will be as much joy. The creation process is extremely simple: you need to dig a hole in the size of the tire, insert it into this recess, lay the film on the bottom, pour water, decorate the outside with stones.

Of course, the pond will be very small, but if it is properly decorated, it will delight the eye no worse than a full-fledged reservoir.

What plants to plant?

Of course, in order for your pond to look spectacular and attractive, it must be decorated accordingly: decorated with plants. In order for your body of water to be as close as possible to a natural body of water, you need to do landscaping.

We offer several options:

• You can plant plants at the bottom of your pond. It is better to use local plants: they will take root faster.

• You can also plant various plants in some kind of container., for example, in a barrel and put around a pond. At the same time, you can plant whatever your heart desires, choosing containers to taste and, in accordance with the style of the pond and garden composition in general: it will look impressive, while not being visually separated from the overall picture. In addition, just by replacing the container, you can easily change the appearance of the entire environment, if suddenly former appearance bored.

• The highlight of your design project can be the decoration in the middle of the pond. Place in the middle of a pond beautiful stone, and on it install a pot with some interesting plant or decorate it with some figure, for example, a mermaid. Such a move will certainly attract the attention of others.

• To keep the water in your pond clean as long as possible, you need to protect it from leaves, branches and insects falling from trees with a special mesh construction.
• If, nevertheless, the leaves are in the water, a landing net will help you: just remove unnecessary debris from the water so that it remains clean as long as possible, and the reservoir will delight you with its beauty. But a landing net will not help get rid of debris from the bottom of the reservoir. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to clean the pond with a water purifier.

The time has passed when summer cottages were associated only with a shovel and potatoes. Today it is, first of all, a place of rest from the bustle of the city, an opportunity to relax and have a good time in contact with nature.

The presence of your own lake helps to achieve the desired relaxation, the creation of which is quite possible with your own hands, which will be discussed in this article.

A bit of history

Before taking on the installation work, let's turn to the origins of this engineering miracle.

The fashion for arranging our own reservoirs came to us from the East, while three different styles can be distinguished:

1. Near East . These are places where water is of particular value in light of its scarcity. Therefore, the extravagance of creating a whole artificial lake is inappropriate here. Instead, strict geometric shapes small in size with built-in fountains.

1. China. Here the art of creating reservoirs has resulted in a whole philosophy. It is customary to inscribe their features into the surrounding landscape so that they blend harmoniously with nature. A lonely “dream island” in the middle of the water is also common attributes.

1. Japan. The lack of space instilled in the Japanese a craving for asceticism and the rational use of every inch of the land. In this regard, the artificial reservoirs adopted by them are created in the form of a small vessel with water - a tsukubai, which has a stylized stream flowing from bamboo pipes and bonsai planted along the coast.

From the East, the considered decorative element garden plot successfully migrated to the West and was reflected in the following two directions:

1. England. The local design of reservoirs, as well as in China, is in harmony with nature and fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape.

1. France. The so-called regular style is used, characterized by accurate division into zones, the use of regular geometric shapes and reservoirs that rise above the ground.

Creating your own reservoir

It is not easy to make a summer cottage pond with your own hands, but it is quite possible. Let's go through all the steps in order.

Determining the style

The design of the reservoir in the country should match its surroundings and please you. These are the two most important criteria.

So, if you place it in the back of the garden, then you can follow the Chinese and British, disguising an artificial pond as a natural one. If you are planning to locate the tank near your home, then the regular style or geometric shapes of the Middle Eastern will look more appropriate.

Choosing a place, size and suitable building materials

After you have decided on the general concept, you need to make other equally important decisions:

1. Location . An artificial reservoir in the country house should be illuminated for about five hours a day and be open from the south-west side.

This will provide two main, albeit conflicting, conditions:

• It will limit the intensity of algae reproduction, which will protect the water from violent seasonal "blooming".

• Ensures the normal development of ornamental plants decorating the pond.

1. Dimensions. Ideally, it is assumed that the home lake will occupy 3% of the total area of ​​the site. But not every gardener decides to allocate 18 square meters from their standard six acres for decorative arrangement. In addition, the larger the pond, the higher the cost of its creation.

Therefore, be guided when choosing the appropriate sizes:

• With their material capabilities.
• Compatibility with existing buildings.
• Personal preference.

With regard to depth, the reservoir is usually divided into three stages:

Tip: so that the fish have a place to spend the winter, it is enough to dig a hole of the appropriate depth in the middle of the tank, and not make the whole pond like that. This will save the population and save your material costs.

1. Material. There are three possible options, distinguished by their reliability, cost and implementation complexity:

Name	Application features
Concrete	Installation of formwork and fittings, mixing or buying a ready-made solution - all this leads to considerable costs and difficulties. Of course, the strength of such a structure will be high level, therefore, it is recommended to use such a laborious method for large multifunctional objects.
Plastic	The finished polypropylene container is much easier to install. In addition, manufacturers offer a wide range of shapes and sizes. But even though the project will end up being cheaper than concreting, it still remains quite expensive and limits the flight of design imagination.
Film	As the saying goes: "cheap and cheerful." Low cost material, ease of installation and the ability to create a bowl of any shape make this option the most rational for a summer cottage.

Installation work

Now let's look at how to make a reservoir in the country on our own:

1. It all starts with a sketch. Try to depict everything on it in as much detail as possible and taking into account the scale. Also think about what will become the "highlight" of your composition: a stone of an unusual shape, decorative tree or even a sculpture.

1. We apply sand marking of the proposed contour at the selected location. At the same time, we check the level of the banks with a spirit level, which should be done periodically during the entire period of construction work.

1. We carry out earthworks:

• We remove the first ball of earth with a depth equal to the height of the upper step.
• Then we draw the contour of the next deepening and dig it already.
• The last step in the center is to create a wintering hole for fish.

1. We measure the dimensions of the resulting pit, adding 50 cm of allowance, and, according to the data obtained, we buy a dense polyethylene film.
2. We put sheets of old roofing material or linoleum in a bowl to protect the polyethylene of the main layer.
3. On top, lay the film.

Advice: it is advisable to put polyethylene on a hot sunny day. This will give the material more elasticity and allow it to go around all dangerous sharp areas without damage.

1. We dig a small trench along the perimeter, tuck the edges of the film into it and fill it with gravel.
2. We reinforce the edge with stone blocks to prevent soil shattering. We spread it with a decorative stone.

1. We place the prepared plants in plastic containers and place them on curtains.
2. We lay out the bottom with gravel.
3. We fill the tank with water. At the same time, measure the volume of liquid used for this on the counter to make it easier to calculate the right amount chemicals and select suitable pumping equipment.
4. To prevent stagnation of H 2 O in the pond, we remove the source above the level of the bowl and connect the hose of the submersible pump to it, located previously at the bottom of the tank. We decorate the mouth of the received stream with stones and plants.

Conclusion

Your own pond at the summer cottage is everyone's dream. But the apparent complexity and high cost of this venture can stop many.

We considered a way to build a reservoir on our own and without significant financial costs. Patience, accuracy, adherence to the above recommendations and creative imagination will allow you to achieve the desired result.

The video in this article will provide you with Additional information directly related to the materials presented ().

Make your dreams come true!