Water Garden Questions And Answers. How do I Start A Water Garden???

Q : How do I get started ?

A : Preferably you will start with some sort of sketch or scale drawing of
the site in which the pond will be installed and of the pond itself. Use a scale
of 1/4" or 1/2" equals 1' . This will help you to decide what size liner you
will need. Use the following formula to figure liner size regardless of shape,
size or location of marginal shelves...

Length of liner = length of hole plus twice the maximum depth plus 2 feet.

Width of liner = width of hole plus twice the maximum depth plus 2 feet.

EXAMPLE : A pond hole that measures 7'x 12' with a depth of 36" will use a liner 15' x 20'.

Additionally, decide ahead of time if you are going to keep fish ...
If so then the pond must be at least 36" deep in order to over-winter.
If not then 18" to 24" is usually sufficient to over-winter plants but not much
wildlife. The size of the pond dictates the gallons of water. You will need to
know total gallons of water when you choose a pump and filter system.
Use the following formula to figure total gallons ...

Length of pond surface x width of pond surface* x average depth x 7.5 = total gallons.

EXAMPLE : A pond measuring 7' x 12' with an average depth of 30" (2.5') = 1575 gallons

(* these measurements will differ slightly from the dimensions of the original hole
depending on the amount of rockery you use to line the inside surfaces .)

Before you dig consider consulting a professional or some one who has
installed a pond. This will help you to learn from their mistakes and hopefully
avoid too many of your own...

For more information on these and other water garden topics go to our
'tips & tricks' page. Or contact Us.

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