Choosing Your Garden Pond Location

By Jamie Boyle

When deciding to build a garden pond in your backyard the first thing you need to do is choose the right location for your water garden where you'll build it. This sometimes can take some time for people to decide where they want it. I'm going to show you some pond tips that will help people in how to choose your garden pond location.

1. First thing is you want to choose your pond location where you will get about 4-6 hours of sunlight each day. Building a garden pond is not only a body of water which you can add fish but also water plants as well. A pond is not a pond without water lilies, pond plants and marginals. By choosing the right location for your pond with proper amount of sun will allow you to add plants to your pond later on. Most pond plants require at least 4-6 hours of sun a day, to grow, flower and make your pond beautiful. So ask yourself, will you be adding water plants to your pond in the future? If yes, make sure the location gets the proper amount of sunlight.

2. Here is one of the problems many pond owners have after building their water garden, damage to the liner from trees and maintenance. Don't build your pond next to large trees. What happens when the trees grow their roots can actually puncture the liner causing damage in which you will need to repair. Another thing that trees do is shed their leaves which then fall into your pond polluting your water chemistry. If left their in your pond a build up of organic matter and decaying leaves can cause your goldfish or any other type of pond fish like koi to get sick with diseases and parasites. So make sure you think about nearby trees as this can impact the ultimate decision on where you will build your pond.

3. When building your garden pond consider putting it close to where you and your family will spend the most time. Do you have a patio or deck in which you like to barbecue, sit and relax or read a book? Maybe place it next to your patio where you can observer your pond, feed your fish and listen to the sound of your waterfall. My parents have theirs close to their kitchen window so they can look out and still be able to see the fish. Build your pond next to a place where you will get maximum benefit, use and enjoyment.

4. Another thing to consider is building your garden pond close to a water source. Remember you are going to need the pond filled when your done building it, so build your pond close to water access. During the summer months you are going to need to top off your pond due to evaporation in which water you'll need. I don't think your going to want to go buy 300-400 feet of garden hose just to fill it if you build it far away from the house. So think about where you will get your water from.

5. Do you have access to electricity where you will build your garden pond? If you don't you will need to hire an electrician to lay down some wire and get you access to electricity for your pond pump, air pump, UV sterilizer or any other type of equipment you will need for your pond. Not having electricity close by will add to the cost of building your garden pond.

6. What type of land do you have? Is it flat, sloped or a little bit of both? Consider building your pond where there is a slope to the ground already as it can be used for building a nice river stream or even a water fall. Use any existing landscape to your benefit. It can save you time and money.

These above tips at choosing your garden pond location will help you ultimately decide where you will want to build you garden pond. When building a garden pond it takes time, planning and cost money, so take your time in choosing where you want your water garden as it's not something that can easily be moved. This pond will stay their for years to come so the right location for your pond is important not only for you but for the pond fish and water plants as well. I hope this helped you in planning on building a pond and choosing the right location for water garden. Water gardeing is fun and this is something you will get years of enjoyment with.

POND TIP***
Remember when building a garden pond always check with local laws in installations of pools and ponds to see what requirements you will need such as fencing and safety measures you will need to do concerning the depth of your pool or pond. Safety is very important not only for you but for people who may drop by uninvited. Safety is number one concerning any water source.