What types of country ponds are there?
One of the most difficult decisions when creating your own decorative pond is the design. To decide on the future appearance of the reservoir, you need to clearly understand why you need it. Based on the main goals, several types can be distinguished:
Pond as a decorative design element
It is a deep body of water. May include various lighting elements, a fountain, a decorative border or a mini-bridge. Unlike a small pond, it often serves as the center of a recreation area.
Located in close proximity to the veranda, benches, and picnic areas. Ideas for decorating a pond at your dacha can be seen in the photo.
Design of a decorative pond in a designer style
The shapes of the design style of the reservoir differ from the natural one and its design is more strict. Often it incorporates one concept and is designed in the same way as the entire summer cottage.
If you don’t have enough imagination in designing a pond, we recommend making a pond in a free landscape style.
The shape of a designer pond is usually made in the correct shape or in the form of some kind of pattern, but always maintaining the geometry of the lines.
A pond with straight edges in the courtyard looks very stylish and minimalist, and when round flower beds are planted around such a pond
Any material can be used – from reinforced concrete rings to rubber tires. In turn, these types of materials require high-quality refinement.
You can use any plants for arranging a pond, even the rarest ones - those that bloom lushly and brightly or deciduous ones with an unusual shape. Clay pots with plants planted in them also look beautiful.
Pond Styles
You can also make a Japanese style pond. You can't use a lot of colors here. If you make a pond in the Chinese style, then lush vegetation is welcome, and emphasis should be placed on dwarf trees.
In ancient England, gardens resembled Chinese ones because they had the same strict geometry, but were not decorated with lush plants.
A garden designed in the French style is characterized by a clear layout, smooth geometry in the flower beds, and bush fences that rise above the ground. The atmosphere in the garden is reminiscent of the days of medieval palaces.
The pond in the Celtic style looks very ascetic. Only stones are used here, and a combination of stones of different sizes is encouraged.
Lanterns by the water at the dacha
Additionally, you can also decorate the pond with small lanterns. These are like special decorations for your pond. Also, an illuminated fountain looks very impressive. How to build such fountains is described in other articles.
Fish pond
Beautiful, bright fish will add variety to your life. Small aquariums have long been out of fashion. Nowadays, reservoirs that contain various living inhabitants are gaining popularity.
These can be decorative fish species. They will help you relax and are sure to attract children and pets. Or you can set up an artificial pond with fish or crayfish suitable for fishing and further consumption.
Swimming pond
Swimming pools in the country are also popular bodies of water. You can make a similar pond in your country house with your own hands. They serve not only as a decorative element, but also allow you to relax, cool off and swim.
This can be a very shallow and small pool; it is suitable for children. Or a full-fledged pond for adults. It all depends on the size of the plot and your capabilities. But remember that such a pond will require constant cleaning and special winter care. Also read about the compost bin.
Some care tips
After constructing a pond at your summer cottage and designing the landscape, you will have to take care of the reservoir. What is included in the concept of care:
- In spring, the filters and pump are usually turned on in mid-April. Immediately you need to carry out bottom cleaning and clean the surface of debris. At the same time, annual plants are planted.
- Tropical plants have been planted since June.
- Bottom cleaning should be regular and done using a bottom vacuum cleaner.
- In summer, a skimmer must be used to remove debris from the surface of the water.
- In summer, thread algae must be removed. If oxygen generators do not have time to clear the water of green algae, you can use special chemicals - algaecides.
- Water lilies and irises need to be fed with fertilizers.
- All summer it is necessary to monitor water quality with special tests.
- In the fall, tropical plants are removed from the pond, placed in containers with water and placed in a bright, frost-free room for the winter.
- In the fall, during the leaf fall period, it will be more convenient to cover the surface of the pond with a fine mesh so that the yellow leaves do not sink to the bottom, and to remove it by winter.
- In winter, the water from the pond is drained. It is necessary to drain water from all pipes and hoses. Remove and clean filters and pumps.
Choosing a pond location
How to make a pond? First of all, you need to decide on the place where it will be located. When choosing a territory, you need to decide whether you want a secluded pond or one visible from all sides.
If it is intended as a decorative element, then it is necessary to arrange it on a flat, open plane. If you plan to install a pool, then the best solution would be to place it behind the house or behind some bushes, trees, etc. Read here: vine fence.
When choosing an area for a pond, pay attention to several criteria.
The amount of free space. The design of the pond at the dacha will depend on the amount of free territory. Its size, shape and appearance.
Availability of natural light. Due to the fact that the reservoir is created artificially, you must remember that the water level in it depends only on you. If you place it in a strongly lit place, the water may bloom, deteriorate or evaporate.
It is advisable to find a place where the sun will hit the water for no more than four hours a day. This will help preserve the pond and simplify its care.
If you are going to breed fish in water, then the location of the reservoir should be in the shade. Fish do not tolerate heated water well, and evaporation under the sun's rays reduces the oxygen level in the water.
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Do-it-yourself concrete foundation installation
Concrete work begins before waterproofing with the casting of a base plate made of M150 concrete, which is designed to protect the reservoir bowl from ground movements. On top of this slab, after it dries, waterproofing is laid.
After the base for the bowl has been dug, a drainage system has been installed, a sand and gravel cushion 20-30 cm thick has been poured, a concrete preparation 10 cm thick has been poured, and the walls of the pool are reinforced. For this you will need reinforcement A 12 mm. The rods are connected with knitting wire in the form of a mesh with cells of 20 x 20 cm.
Installing mortgages is an important stage of work. Before the start of formwork work, the following components are installed: bottom drain, nozzles, lights, skimmers. Electrical wiring is also being installed. The formwork is installed using moisture-resistant plywood 15 mm thick and wooden support beams. High-quality formwork will help save material and other leveling agents.
Concreting is carried out with high-grade heavy concrete with plasticizers. The walls vibrate to prevent voids from forming. It is more convenient to fill the bowl in 2 steps - first the bottom, then the walls. To prevent water from penetrating through the cold seam of a leaking joint, a self-expanding bentonite cord is placed into the joint when pouring, which increases 6 times when exposed to water.
The pool bowl is leveled with a layer of plaster. Using plaster, you can achieve a perfectly smooth pool bowl. The plastered surface of the bowl has no cracks, voids, depressions or other irregularities.
Landscape
The depth at which groundwater flows. If they leak close to the surface, you will have to additionally strengthen the pond.
Opportunity for further growth. You or your children will likely want to change the design or make some adjustments to the size of the pool. Or add some entertainment elements nearby. Therefore, when considering the location of the reservoir, take into account the possibility of further redevelopment.
Availability of electricity. Lighting and fountains are powered by electricity, which must be taken into account when choosing a location. There are several options. You can place a recreation area next to the house.
If you want to make a pond in a remote area, you will have to bury the electrical cable in the ground. Appreciable depth is required to comply with safety regulations. But, if there are joints on the wires, then you will have to arrange the necessary access to them.
general information
Even a small artificial pond made of plastic makes the cottage very cozy.
You can set up a recreation area next to the pond. Advantages :
- reasonable cost of plastic mold;
- easy preparation for container installation;
- shore strengthening and installation of terraces are not required;
- quick installation and dismantling of the reservoir;
- the ability to choose the shape and size of the plastic bowl;
- high decorativeness of the element;
- easy care;
- environmental friendliness;
- You can breed fish in an artificial reservoir based on a hard plastic bowl;
- carrying out the work does not require special skills.
Rigid base shape:
- round;
- oval;
- rectangular;
- wrong.
The pond tank, made of high-pressure plastic, withstands operating loads well. With careful handling, the service life is up to 15 years.
There are no negative aspects of high-quality plastic. There are features that you need to know about before purchasing a bowl and installing the container.
Consider the nuances:
- There is no need to dismantle the artificial reservoir for the winter. The correct choice of frame container will help prevent water from freezing. Minimum depth – 80 cm;
- Before buying a bowl, think about the shape and decor of the future reservoir. Select a rigid container strictly according to your plan;
- If necessary, you need to completely change the water.
What materials can be used to build a pond?
The choice of materials is a very important stage. At the moment there is a large selection of bases for ponds.
Plastic
Due to the increased popularity of country pools, the demand for suitable materials has increased. And companies that work with plastic began to produce ready-made monolithic structures.
This method will help you quickly organize a space for relaxation, but the material has a limited service life. Each manufacturer has its own, usually a figure from 20 to 50 years. To install such a structure, you need to dig a hole of suitable size. After installing a plastic pool, you need to fill the voids with sand.
