Top 5 Things to Consider When Adding a Pond to Your Landscape
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A garden pond serves as a tranquil haven to any homeowner. It contributes to the overall feeling of serenity and is an ideal relaxing place in your own backyard. Furthermore, having a pond as an addition to your landscape could certainly increase your property’s value.
The following are the prime considerations before adding ponds to your yard:
· Location
· Size
· Water Quality
· Plants
· Maintenance
#1
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Location
– This is the most vital aspect that determines the success of your pond. Of course, it needs to be placed on a spot that is visually appealing and accessible; however, there are still some other elements that rely heavily on the location. Here are several factors that must be considered:
· Sunlight. Your pond must receive at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. Most plant species and floras demand direct sunlight. However, too much of it could cause algae to thrive. Therefore, a supplementary exposure of indirect light for about six to eight hours is also necessary.
·Leaves. Naturally, you would not want your pond to get populated with falling leaves and pine needles. Unattended leaves will decompose within the pond. If you cannot find a location free of overhanging trees and plants, then you might employ catch nets to help solve the problem.
· Drainage. Your area needs to have excellent drainage systems and is far from flooded buildings and swamps. Excess rain will cause your pond to overflow hence it needs a place to dissipate. Moonlighting Landscape & Design could help you with drainage solutions.
#2
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Shape and Size
– After you determine your ideal pond location, the next thing to do is to layout your pond. Ponds come in a variety of sizes, anywhere from tens, hundreds, or even thousands of gallons. But, the most crucial consideration for designing a pond is its chemical stability and temperature. Water stability is directly proportional to the pond size. Therefore, the larger the pond is, the more stable the water temperature and chemistry becomes. This is due to the fact that pH (potential hydrogen) and temperature changes take place more gradually in large volumes of water. Now you might ask, what is the ideal pond size? Well it actually depends on your preference. Most successful pond owners go for a few hundreds of gallons. However, if you wish to have thriving species of plants and fish, then you could go for a larger pond. You might want to consult your landscaping company for help regarding the appropriate size, shape and depth that would meet your needs.
#3
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Water Quality
– In order to sustain life forms in your pond, you also need to consider water quality. It is normal to have water attributes change, but it must occur gradually and not instantly. Abrupt changes in water parameters are the leading cause of poor pond health causing plant and animal deaths. Your water’s chemical and physical attributes must be taken into account and be monitored constantly especially if you have a newly built pond.
· Potential Hydrogen (pH). The pH levels are used to determine the degree of acidity or alkalinity of your water. It is highly possible to have pH levels of community waters to change; however, it should not occur drastically on your pond. Healthy pH levels for ponds range from 6.5 to 7.5. Moonlighting Landscape & Design may advise you with the necessary treatments to help maintain water stability.
· Chlorine. Most water supplies are being treated with chlorine for sanitation. This however, is toxic for aquatic lives. Fortunately, chlorine in the water can be easily removed. There are dechlorinators available that will help keep your water stabilized.
· Temperature. Temperature is one of the intangible aspects in the environment. Although you could not do much to keep it from changing, you could still maintain necessary water temperatures to sustain aquatic life in our ponds. Such actions include the addition of certain plant types, water change and deployment of pumps. Your landscaping company can recommend actions to help complement temperature change.
#4
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Plants
– Plants play a vital role in any pond. It makes garden ponds look attractive and natural, and serves as breeding sites for fish. Water plants also help regulate temperature and help cleanse out nutrients that may pollute the water. The following are the common types of water plants that you may employ in your garden pond.
· Free-floating plants. These are those water plants that float on the surface of the pond, leaving their roots drooping in the water.
· Deep-water aquatic plants. These water plants have their leaves floating on the water’s surface with their roots submerged for about 18 inches in depth.
· Submerged aquatic plants. These water plants are entirely submerged underwater and serve as oxygenators for ponds.
· Marginal water plants. These plants grow in shallow water and thrive around the perimeter of the water garden.
#5
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Maintenance
– The most common problem that is encountered by pond owners is green water. This is caused by an overabundance of free-floating algae consuming plant nutrients. There are certain methods that one could employ to resolve cases of green water. Although there are many natural ways such as the addition of aquatic plants, netting and water change, the most effective solution often employed by pond owners is the application of filtration methods. If you are unsure as to what filtration methods to use, you may seek help from Moonlighting Landscape & Design. If you consider installing a garden pond in your yard, it might be best to work with Moonlighting Landscape & Design to ensure that it is built to cater your needs.
