| Do you have a space in your backyard you would | | | | trickling sound of water to your backyard. They |
| like to fill with a water feature? Most home-owners | | | | typically also the pump and pre-filter that is required |
| would like a large pond, but don't want it so big that | | | | to circulate the water, and to pump the water to |
| a child or dog could fall into. You also probably don't | | | | your watercourse. The pump is an essential part of |
| want to dig a 3-foot hole either- recently, you may | | | | any water garden, because, without proper water |
| have discovered that your "backyard dirt" can | | | | circulation, your pond will rapidly transform into a |
| actually substitute as modelling clay, and it has a | | | | breeding ground for mosquito larvae. |
| similar composition as concrete. Maintenance is also | | | | In addition to the pond, the watercourse, the pump, |
| another issue- do you have the time to nurture your | | | | and the equipment included in a mini-pond kit, all you |
| pond, to keep the water clean, keep debris from | | | | will need is: |
| falling into it, and to periodically clean the filters and | | | | |
| pumps? Or would a 800 gallon pond quickly turn into | | | | 1. A carpenter's level. |
| a cesspool and attract nasty glares from your | | | | 2. Sand, to backfill your pond. In addition to backfill, |
| neighbours? | | | | the sand will also provide adjustable flooring for your |
| If you're like most home-owners, you would prefer a | | | | pond shell, which will come in handy when you are |
| small maintenance-free and easy-to-install pond. A | | | | trying to level your pond. |
| small pre-formed pond is probably the ideal solution | | | | 3. A shovel, to dig your hole. |
| for you. Unlike liner ponds, preformed ponds already | | | | 4. A garden hose, to fill your pond with water. |
| come in a pre-defined shape. Mini preformed ponds | | | | 5. A space in your backyard that is relatively close to |
| are typically 2-3 feet wide/long, and 1 foot deep. | | | | your house, to maximize its impact. Be sure to |
| They are especially low-maintenance since the | | | | consider the slope of the land and to ensure that the |
| volume of water is only in the 30 gallon range, it is | | | | pond avoids rainwater runoff. |
| quite easy to periodically empty the water and to | | | | Optional backyard water gardening supplies include |
| refill your pond. | | | | landscaping rocks, aquatic plants, fish, and a fountain |
| Mini-preformed pond kits, such as Algreen's 30 gallon | | | | and/or spitter. |
| kit, sometimes include a small watercourse to add the | | | | |