Natural stone for a decorative reservoir or pond. How to choose stones for a pond and fit them into the design of the pond

You can absolutely correctly plant beautiful aquatic plants, it’s great to decorate the coastal area, but ruin everything by sloppy design of the border of the pond with the garden. Professional approach addressing this issue will solve not only the problems of decorating a garden pond, but will also eliminate the possibility of bank erosion.

There is a huge amount of information on the Internet about the installation of a reservoir, the choice of materials for waterproofing and edging, the selection of plants, but the technology for designing the border between water and the shore is not sufficiently covered.

Materials for designing a pond

Materials for decorating a pond should be harmoniously tied to the size of the garden and the style of the house. The most commonly used natural and artificial stone, crushed rocks, pieces of marble, pebbles different colors, ceramic and paving slabs, wood, gravel, sand. For ponds with a concrete base, marble chips are used, colored glass, fragments of porcelain and ceramics, which are fixed onto concrete that has not yet hardened, the fragments are pressed sharp edges inside.

All decorative elements the shoreline of the reservoir must be properly secured in its positions. Stones, ceramic and paving slabs, the brick is fixed with cement mortar, leaving pockets for planting.

Film pond edging

For a natural transition from the pond to the garden, you can use a special decorative film, which is covered with a layer of gravel, so it perfectly imitates a rocky terrain. Since the film with stones does not retain water by itself, they lay it on top of the waterproofing and carefully line the bottom of the pond so that its rocky edges extend to the shore. It is advisable to secure the edges and seams with film glue. Then large stones are placed in random order on the surface of the film along the edge of the pond, simulating a natural landscape. This film is the most good option to decorate a pond with your own hands, without resorting to the help of professionals.

Coconut mats for edging a pond

If the pond has steep walls, then when water evaporates, filmy edges can be observed. IN in this case for edging, woven dark brown coconut mats are used, which visually imitate soil and do not interfere with growth and development coastal plants, the latter, growing densely on a solid base, decorate and strengthen the banks well.

The technology for laying coconut mats is quite simple. The mats are laid without tension, starting from the shore part, they are placed along the border of the future reservoir with the shore, lowering the lower part of the coil about 50 cm into the pit, and carefully securing the upper part to the shore using U-shaped brackets from reinforcement. To secure the mat to PVC, a special mounting adhesive is used. At the junction of coconut sheets, the overlap should be at least 20 cm. When installing, take into account the direction of the overlap - the edges of the sheet should not be visible from the viewing side. From the shore, the mesh structure of the coconut mat is covered with a plant substrate, and that part of the mat that will be in the water is covered with sandy soil mixed with fine gravel.

Option for laying coconut mats

Another option

In this case, you can get by with a minimal amount or completely exclude it from the design of the reservoir. This method of designing the coastal zone of a reservoir simulates the most natural landscape and is well suited for landscape style.

Advantages of coconut mats for strengthening the banks of a reservoir

1. Environmentally friendly natural material.

2. Does not require large capital investments.

3. Easy to install.

4. Protects the banks from erosion.

5. Provides long term service due to the slow decomposition of coconut fiber.

6. Promote the growth of vegetation and strengthen the soil.

7. Improves water outflow.

8. Resistant to UV/UV radiation.

9. Resistant to decomposition processes of organic substances.

10. Closes the waterproofing of the reservoir when water evaporates.

11. Serves as the basis for the root system of aquatic and coastal plants.

If coconut mats are not used to secure the banks of the reservoir, and only waterproofing is planned around it, then the edges of the film waterproofing can be hidden under the lawn to a depth of 8 - 10 cm. But this method will not help mask the unsightly film edges when water evaporates and will not save you from waterlogging and erosion coastal part if there is an abundance of it. Therefore, after the usual heavy rain, a flooded meadow will suddenly appear in the clearing around the garden pond. In the summer it’s half the trouble, but in the fall? Therefore, there is no need to skimp on strengthening the banks; simply placing a coconut mat under the lawn is enough. For growth lawn grass there will be no obstructions, the waterproofing will be closed, and the coastline will be protected from erosion.

There are no special secrets in the technology of transitioning the boundaries of concrete or stone edging with a lawn. Both stone and concrete can directly border water, soil and vegetation.

How to decorate the edges of a pond with stone

The size of the stone framing the edge of the pond should be proportional to the size of the pond itself; large stones are harmoniously combined with a large reservoir, small stones with small ones. The shape and structure of the stones should also be similar. It is not advisable to use several various types stones

When making a pond from a concrete base or a polymer mold using a stone, it is necessary to prepare a substrate from the shore side - where the stones come into contact with the ground, first lay black lutrasil, cover it with sand, then gravel. Large boulders are placed along the perimeter of the pond so that part of the stone hangs slightly above the water, in which case all the edges of the pond are easily covered.

The small stones with which the bottom of the reservoir is covered should smoothly turn into larger ones towards the shore. Moreover, when laying stones along the perimeter of the coastal zone, you need to make sure that a continuous line does not form. In this case, it is better to make the edging of the reservoir intermittent, alternating stones and plants in random order, avoiding symmetry. Large stones are placed flat, slightly tilted to the side towards the shore.

Before permanently fixing the stones in cement, they should be laid out in their intended places, then you need to examine the composition from all sides and correct any errors. Only after this the stones can be installed on cement mortar, deepening into the solution to 1/3 of their height. Don't forget to leave pockets for planting plants.

How to design the edges of a pond with the correct geometric shapes

Edging the strict geometric shapes of garden ponds can be done using wooden boards, ceramic tiles, stone slabs, natural or artificial stone. When choosing material for decorating the coastal zone, it is necessary to take into account that after rain wooden boards and glossy ceramic tile become slippery.

Natalya Vysotskaya, dendrologist, landscape designer, Ph.D. -X. sciences

In the process of creating a pond on own dacha many questions arise general recommendations not enough. Let's consider these questions.

How to make a natural pond?

First, let's define what is meant by this phrase:

How to choose a place and what to provide:

distance from trees, tall bushes. Leaves and branches should not clog the water;
good lighting, direct rays of sun throughout daylight hours unacceptable;
correctly positioned in the lowlands so that rainwater did not spill over the territory, but flowed into the pond;
choose a flat area with a slight slope.

What to consider so that the reservoir is “alive” and does not rot:

Making a pond

A properly made pond occupies at least 10th of the site. Deep - it warms up poorly and is simply dangerous, shallow - it blooms. On the forums, summer residents are recommended optimal size reservoir 2.5 - 3 m in diameter, 1.5 deep. The hole is dug manually or using machinery. Next, waterproofing is done.

Ecopond - involves natural waterproofing, called clay castle. Only this natural material contributes to the functioning of a living ecological system. This good way make a pond without film:

How to make a small pond?

There are a few simple ways arrangement of miniature reservoirs on the site.

Since the shape is a wave-like configuration, transitions during burial are taken into account. Special steps are made, one wider than the other. After installation, the voids are filled with earth.

The form is set slightly above ground level, a layer of sand of approximately 20-30 cm is poured under it, but first markings are made on the ground. Then you can start digging a pit. How to do this can be clearly seen in the pictures below.

How to make a big pond?

At first mark the contours. For irregular shape A regular rope will do; for a rectangle, square - hammer in pegs and stretch a string between them.
An excavator is used to dig a pit. You can calculate its dimensions using the formula for calculating the volume of a truncated cone. This can be easily done on a site like fxyz.ru. You just need to insert the numbers into the required line.
Further - level the walls of the dug bowl and make them flat. Provide terraces around the perimeter of the reservoir. They prevent the soil from crumbling and serve as convenient steps when laying waterproofing. They will be useful in the future when decorating a pond.

Important! Three zones are provided in the pit bowl: deep, 1.8-2.0 meters (below the freezing level of the ground). She is being prepared so that she can successfully winter. Medium – for plants. Small - in summer such places warm up well, fry and living creatures accumulate here, and microflora multiplies.

If you are digging a pond for swimming, you do not need to deepen the bottom, it is made smooth.

Next you need:

remove stones and driftwood from the bottom;
prepare waterproofing material.

The Landscape Constructions company recommends first filling the bottom with sand and laying it on top. geotextiles.

Among existing options waterproof coatings are usually chosen butyl rubber film. The main argument is durability. It lasts up to 20 years.

Lay out the film

How else can you waterproof a pond?

For your information! In specialized stores you can buy ready-made plastic mold for a reservoir of 1000 liters or more.

How to build a dam?

A pit is not necessary for a pond; it is enough to make a dam using a stream or a drainage area where water flows. Running water constantly fills the reservoir. They block it in the narrowest place. First, a ditch is dug, the bottom is lined with rich clay, and compacted. Then a clay wall is erected and buried into the bottom and edges of the ravine. The dam crest is raised one meter above the future water level, and the rapids are made steep.

Dams are built from natural materials: stone, gravel, logs, sometimes concrete. The base is supposed to be wide so that the structure can withstand water pressure.

When constructing such structures, remember about floods and consider water drainage in extreme situations.

The embankment is filled with a width of half a meter to 4 meters, a height of at least 0.5 m. The dam is filled only after the dam has settled.

Concrete dam. It is reinforced with rods, angle iron, and steel mesh. For concreting, waterproof cement is used, add liquid glass, PVA glue.

If there is a ravine

A ravine next to an area along the bottom of which a stream flows and overflows during floods can be turned from a potential enemy into a friend and helper. The ravine is blocked from bank to bank by an embankment. Rain, spring, or river water gradually accumulates in front of it, forming a water surface.

We present such a positive experience step by step:

Dig a bypass channel, temporarily direct a stream into it so that it does not interfere with work.
Make shields from boards, cover them with film, and top with roofing felt..
Make gaps in the ravine, insert shields into them, lay out a dam from stones.
Bottom of the proposed pond fill with clay, compact, lay a layer of sand on top, level. At the end there is a pond line with film, walls with stone.
In order to keep the water at a certain level, install overflow pipe. Excess water goes further along the diversion channel into the ravine. To avoid siltation, a septic tank is dug just upstream of the natural stream.

Such a water oasis requires virtually no costs, will avert the threat of flooding, and will decorate a vacation spot.

How to prevent a pond from freezing in winter?

In autumn, especially tender and valuable plants, the ornamental fish is moved into the aquarium. Pond at low temperatures freezes, it is impossible to counteract nature, but it is possible to make it easier for fish to winter in a reservoir and ensure an influx of oxygen.

Reed, cattail placed vertically. Oxygen penetrates into the water through the hollow stems.
Polystyrene foam, straw bundles on water will slow down freezing.
Do vent, pouring boiling water over the ice.
In severe frosts they cover insulation (straw, burlap, roofing felt). You cannot keep such a flooring for a long time, you need natural light. A wooden or foam plastic box is placed above the hole, an incandescent lamp is hung, the hole does not freeze.

Used here floating aerator, however, its effect is effective only at low subzero temperatures.

Quarry pond

Such bodies of water are called quarry ponds or gravel pits. Usually these are old neglected quarries in which peat or stone was mined. The water in them stagnates, and the fish are mostly small fish. Used for fish breeding when it is possible to ensure a constant flow of water. Specialized farms on quarry ponds produce up to 2 quintals of fish per hectare. Such reservoirs are of interest to entrepreneurs.

If there is a well

The easiest way to feed a reservoir is from a well. The owner of such a pond shared this scheme, with the help of which a good idea was realized, on a dacha forum. Water circulates and its consumption is small.

Water from the pond flows to the filter. In this case, it acts as a skimmer.
Water cleared of debris flows into the waterfall, saturating the reservoir with oxygen. The pump in the well turns on only when there is a need to raise the water level.
The relay is activated, turns on the pump in the well, water enters the pond, fills it to required level. Next comes the turn of the filter. All mechanisms come into play one by one. This scheme automatically maintains the water level necessary for the filter and waterfall to operate.

How to make a flowing pond

Bridge as a decoration for a pond

Straight, curved, hanging over the surface of the water - the bridge can be anything. Wood, concrete, stone, metal and their combinations are suitable for structures. Even the smallest bridge will enliven the area, become a continuation of the path, and add an unusual line to the landscape.

A simple bridge is easy to make:

Pond filter

Alexander Pisanets talks about how to make a filter for a pond in the video below.

One of the most popular elements suburban areas are all kinds of reservoirs that our craftsmen are happy to arrange in their possessions. In most cases, these are small picturesque ponds and streams, but when the dimensions of the site and the budget allow, full-fledged decorative and functional artificial reservoirs are obtained. So, a member of our portal with the nickname aboba He began landscaping his property with a gazebo with a terrace, and continued with the construction of a stone pond. The craftsman generously shared the process, result and experience with all forum members.

Where do ideas come from?
Materials and performers.
Construction of the pit.
Stone laying.
Installation of an overflow pool.
First winter.
Beach.
Operating experience.

Where do ideas come from?

Several years passed from the inception of the idea of building a reservoir to its implementation, during which the craftsman studied various technologies. The choice fell on a terraced pond lined with natural stone– sandstone, since the process of construction and finishing of such a structure seemed quite accessible. I collected information about the intricacies and nuances of arranging a stone pond on the Internet - pictures and websites of specialized organizations turned out to be worthy sources. Especially one particular photo.

aboba

I took this photo for the original project, many thanks to the owner of this reservoir! I hope my experience will be useful, especially ahead of the construction season.

Materials and performers

Considering the upcoming volume of work, aboba I decided to use hired forces in the person of three performers, and reserve for myself the position of general contractor, supplier, foreman, and where in our reality would we be without him - supervisor.

The craftsman approached the construction of the pond in detail. As one of the participants in his topic noted, not everyone has this approach to walls. Therefore, to reduce everyone possible risks, the pit will be covered twice with geotextiles, one layer of a special membrane, the bottom will be insulated and concreted, plus sandstone - horizontally and vertically.

Materials:

Insulation – EPPS.
Geotextile – density 350 g/m².
Membrane – butyl rubber film 15×12 m sheet.
Sand.
Cement-sand mortar.
Flagstone (plaster) – thickness 5 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm.
Waterproof adhesive for stone.
Concentrated stone cleaner.

Pit construction

Work started, as usual, although predictably, but unexpectedly.

aboba

In July 2014, I installed a gazebo on the site, sat on the terrace in the evening and wondered what’s next? I remembered that I had been wanting a pond for a long time, looked at it, figured, why not? I took a shovel, a watering hose and outlined the approximate perimeter of the pond - I liked it.

They started digging the pit after another two days, without using heavy equipment - with shovels in wheelbarrows, wheelbarrows behind the site, and not just pouring it out, but also leveling it. They reached the specified horizon in two more days, after which they deepened it to the design depth of 2.30 m.

To compensate for possible frost heaving of the soil, the bottom was insulated with EPS sheets.

To protect the waterproofing membrane from damage from the soil, the perimeter was covered with the first layer of geotextile with an overlap.

On top non-woven fabric They laid insulation, the quality of which the craftsman was completely satisfied with, although it took some effort.

aboba

I ordered butyl rubber film as a sheet, the quality is simply super - no rubber smell, smooth, pleasant to the touch, but very heavy! My piece weighed about 230 kg. To maneuver him through the terrain, reinforcements of five more fighters were called in in addition to the existing ones. Thanks to my clear commands, this close-knit combat unit coped with the task perfectly.

After laying, the craftsman filled the pit with water so that all the layers were straightened out, the bottom settled in place and for visualization. The pit filled up overnight and, due to the general contractor's vacation break, stood like this for two weeks. Result - pure water without any foreign smell, the film coped with the task.

The water was drained and the membrane was covered with a second layer of geotextile, this time to protect against possible damage by stone during laying and operation. To ensure that the side walls rested on a solid foundation, the bottom of the pit was concreted on top of the canvas.

Stone laying

Five days after concreting, we began laying the flagstone. The stone was ordered in such a way that it was 5 cm thick for the bottom and walls of the first tier, 3 cm for the second tier, 3 cm for the horizon of the third tier, and 2 cm for the vertical and facing of the coastal zone. For ease of work, we purchased diamond blades for a powerful grinder in advance, but thanks to a happy accident, the dusty and loud cutting process was reduced to a minimum.

aboba

Once I accidentally hit the center of the plaster with a small sledgehammer, and it split into even pieces that looked like they were created for masonry. And so it went - they chopped the stone with a sledgehammer, very precisely, you just need to select the point and force of the blow, they sawed the stone only to fit it in place. In the masonry I used waterproof stone adhesive in pure form, without adding cement. I liked the quality, the solution is plastic, dries quickly, holds tightly.

Fascinated by the masonry process, aboba I made my first mistake - I forgot to put a filtration pipe in the first and second tier, but remembered it in the third.

After finishing the bowl with plaster, the stone was mechanically cleaned of dirt, the effect was pleasing.

It was time to improve the coastline - to strengthen the structure along the entire perimeter, a reinforced tape, 10 cm deep and 15 cm wide, was poured. As soon as the concrete gained primary strength, they lined the outer wall, the cavity between the outer and inner walls filled with solution. We did without glue, since the DSP is quite sufficient for the surface part. Large pieces of flagstone were laid on top.

The craftsman ordered enough stone to be enough for both the pond and the landscaping of the site - they started with the gazebo and the adjacent area, and from there it wouldn’t be a problem with the paths. It turned out that it was more profitable to order delivery of such a volume from the field (Rostov region) than from local dealers. The stone was laid on the same brand of glue, but for the corresponding work.

Mechanically, it was only possible to remove the remains of glue and dirt from the stone; if you “bite” deeper, the stone deteriorates, but no special effect is observed. Helped bring beauty and cleanliness special remedy, but must be used with extreme caution.

aboba

A concentrated solvent for lime and concrete, the product is good, but you need to use it carefully, because real chemical reaction with heat release. Apply with a brush to avoid the substance getting into the seams between the stones, so as not to destroy the masonry, leave for 10 minutes and wash off with plenty of water from the sink high pressure. A 10 liter canister was enough for the entire pond, paths, and a 5x4 meter area. The cleaning result is good, in the photo on the bottom all the washed out dirt is in liquid form.

Overflow pool

While the construction of the pond was underway, the craftsman came up with the idea of adding a small overflow pool with a waterfall and an alpine slide to the pond. Arrange a utility room nearby for filtration equipment and other engineering systems complex. They didn’t put off the implementation, fortunately, there was plenty of stone. Like the pond, the pool plateau and walls were lined with plastic and formed alpine slide, we immediately laid out several flower beds for future landscaping. A utility room was dug next to the hill, the bottom and walls were insulated with EPS, and lined with ordinary ceramic bricks. In the process, all communications were brought inside.

First winter

The perfection of the slide had to be postponed until the next season due to the onset of cold weather - the pond had to be urgently filled to prevent deformation of the walls. Literally two days later the ice disappeared; the craftsman compensated for the pressure of the ice with bottles of sand.

In winter, participants were interested in the topic possible problems with the bloom of stagnant water, but the craftsman thought through everything and implemented it. Water for filtration will be taken from the left side of the bottom, processed and fed back through the waterfall, where it will be enriched with oxygen. In addition, a surface skimmer has already been purchased to keep the surface clean.

Beach

To the right of the gazebo, observant forum members noticed a round platform, and there was an assumption that this was a future dance floor. In fact, this is a branch of the Mediterranean on a separate site.

aboba

The idea to create this miracle arose when the pond was filled with water for the first time. There is somewhere to swim, but there is no beach with sand where to sunbathe! Disorder! At foreign resorts there is water, sand, sunbeds, and umbrellas, in general, a complete Eden! Are we worse? So I thought in the evening, and came up with a certain concept beach holiday on the banks of the Moscow region.

For implementation, a fertile layer was selected from a circle with a diameter of five meters, a sand cushion was made, compacted, and EPS was laid. Brick was used as formwork, reinforced with mesh, and concreted. When the concrete had set, we cut out a hole for the umbrella using the indispensable sledgehammer and grinder, and installed the umbrella. Purchased in winter White sand waiting in the sacks for his time.

Even if a dacha is a place where work comes first and then rest, we do not forget about the beauty that helps us not to lose heart and enjoy every day spent there. Therefore, today we invite you to feel like landscape designers and build a pond in your dacha with your own hands.

Rules for creating a pond with your own hands and requirements for materials

A pond in the country is not a luxury, but in some ways even a necessity. As the ancient philosophy of Feng Shui says, water near the house brings financial well-being and calms.

In addition, it allows you to save relative humidity on a separate area, pleases the eye and allows you to create original solution in a designated area. Therefore, more and more often, summer residents create ponds and small ponds with their own hands, as in the photo.

Not everyone has a pond on their territory that can be tidied up, surrounded with stones and made an element of the landscape. More often we create a pond at our dacha with our own hands from scratch, faced with many issues that have to be resolved during construction.

Let's start with the fact that you need to decide on the location of the reservoir. For this the following factors should be taken into account:

relief of the territory;
the location of trees and other plants with a powerful root system and foliage;
illumination of the selected area.

Carefully study the terrain of the area. You may already have well-placed indentations, holes, or ruts that you have made in the past. All of them will simplify the process of digging the pond itself.

In addition, do not forget that plants tend to grow and occupy everything underground. more space. Over time, the roots can spoil or even destroy the bottom of your pond, and the leaves, seasonally falling into the water, will rot and bleed bad smell. Which will require more attention from you to care for the pond, but not the joy of having it. Therefore, before you start digging, it is worth considering how far away the trees and bushes are located.

Most landscape designers recommend placing a pond near the house. This will make it easier for you to illuminate it without requiring separate lanterns and lamps. In addition, there is always enough free space near the house with natural light, because There are no tall trees or dense vegetation nearby blocking the light.

If you have found a place that meets the above requirements, then you can begin work.

But first, you should stock up on materials and a rough design for your future artificial reservoir.

Exists several ways to create a pond with your own hands in your dacha area:

from the finished bowl;
made of PVC film, polyethylene or rubber;
using available materials.

Besides in addition to materials to make the bottom, you will need:

shovel,
measuring instruments,
finishing and decorative materials,
water.

After creating a pond, you can put fish there. But then the depth of your artificial reservoir must be at least a meter so that the fish do not freeze in winter.

The procedure for constructing a pond

If you have decided to arrange a landscape, have chosen a location and are thinking about the appearance of your future pond, then first decide main question– what will it be like? Will you choose a ready-made bowl or cover the dug pit with film? It's up to you to decide. And we will help you create it according to all the rules.

Dig in the finished bowl

A ready-made mold cast at the factory is an excellent and simple solution for those who want to enjoy a charming and calm view of the pond after a busy day at the cottage.

Nowadays, specialized stores offer bowls different sizes, type and content. They may be:

simple plastic baths;
containers with several depth levels;
bowls with complex contours of the shore.

Therefore, everyone will be able to choose the form that best suits the territory and landscape without extra costs by time.

In addition, there are others advantages of ready-made bowls:

the plastic form is durable and not susceptible to ultraviolet radiation;
the bowl is non-toxic and easy to install;
The average shelf life of this form is tens of years, which makes the pond durable and of high quality.

The main thing is not to damage the bowl when installing it in the future pond. The form cannot be repaired or restored. However, if you are building to last, you can choose a fiberglass bowl; it is famous for its strength and lasts 2-3 times longer.

So, you have chosen a bowl, found appropriate place, cleared it and are ready to create a pond with your own hands at the dacha. What's next?

First you need to transfer the contours of the bowl to the ground so that it fits exactly into the dug pit. For this you will need:

bowl;
pegs;
shovel;
rope.

To make the contour as similar as possible to the shape of the bowl, you need to place it on the ground and retreat 10-20 cm from its edge. Following the shape of the bowl, stick the pegs into the ground and stretch the rope along them.

This way you will get the outlines of your future pond, under which you need to dig a pit of 20-30 cm. more height bowls.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the top level. It is very important that the surface of your pit is level, otherwise the ground around the pond will always be wet and sticky, spoiling appearance shores.

When you achieve the desired depth and shape, be sure to sprinkle everything with sand and compact it thoroughly. This sand bed will become the foundation for your pond. Afterwards, you can install the mold and fill the free space between the side of the bowl and the ground with sand.

When your future pond becomes stable, you can begin filling and decorating it.

You can line the shore decorative stone, plant water lilies or other water-loving plants along it. Install small figurines of swans or others created by yourself.

Making a pond from film

If for some reason you do not want or cannot buy a ready-made bowl, then you can always make a pond with your own hands without it.

Enough to stock up:

Shovel;
a rope or hose to outline the contour of the future pond;
thick film.

You will need the rest (water, decorative elements and figurines) later when it is finished main stage- creating a pit for a pond.

As when creating a pond with a finished bowl, first you need to decide on the size of the future reservoir and its contour. Afterwards, mark its borders on the ground using a rope or hose, which can simply be laid along the drawn border, or can be wrapped around driven pegs.

When you are sure that you like the shape and approximate appearance of the future pond, you can start digging. Here the process will always be the same, because we just need a foundation pit.

The pond level should be the same. Therefore, check the evenness of the banks using building level or timber laid on both sides of the pit.

When you reach the desired depth, fill the bottom with sand, compact it well, and then lay it with geotextile so that the film does not tear over time. To do this, you can use a special material sold in construction stores, or you can do it on your own. Take, for example, old carpets, rugs, roofing felt or linoleum that fit the area of the dug pit.

Now that the bottom is ready, measure your future pond and calculate the size of the film you need to create it. Usually for this it is enough to know the area of the pit and its depth. Then add an allowance of 50 cm on each side to strengthen the film along the shore. And you can already go shopping.

The film must be very strong and dense in order to withstand the weight of the water that we will eventually pour into the pond. Therefore, do not skimp on this primary material and choose it wisely - the film thickness should be at least 300 microns so as not to tear under constant pressure.

So, as soon as the film is laid out on the bottom:

Level it out it so that there are no folds and swellings.
Line the shore with stones so that when filling it does not gather at the bottom.
Prepare the plants, if you want the pond to have water lilies or other living decorations.

He will share with us a trick on how to arrange plants and flowers in a film pond. Maxim Maximov in your master class:

The film pond is quite economical and allows us to create it of any shape and depth, which is impossible to do with ready-made form, cast at the factory. That is why many choose this option to create their own pond in the country with their own hands.

But do not forget that the deeper you want to make the pond, the more likely it is that the shore may crumble. That is why we recommend that after the pit is dug, you strengthen its walls. Depending on their height, you can use tiles or slate. And how best to do this, he will tell us Talla Khukhrianskaia in your master class:

When all technical points solved, the pit can be filled with water. To do this, just throw a hose connected to the water supply into it.

In addition to the stone, which has an important function and holds the film on the shore, you can place decorative figurines, flower pots and crafts that you made for your garden with your own hands. Design the pond so that it reflects your creative nature and pleases the eye.

Don’t get carried away with the decor, because the pond needs to be cleaned periodically so that the water in it does not die out and turn a beautiful country pond into a large puddle. And to do this, be sure to leave a place on the shore so that you can approach the pond. Better yet, provide a stream that will drain the water.

We create a pond at the dacha from scrap materials

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to find the right and high-quality Construction Materials, but if the desire to create a pond with your own hands does not go away, do not despair. Simple materials at hand will also come to the rescue, of which any summer resident has enough.

A pond can be made from a variety of things:

from an old car tire;
from old bath, remaining after repair;
from a barrel, basin or bucket.

Bath pond...

...from old tires...

...and from an old barrel

If you truly want to create an unusual and original pond, then the lack of capacity will not stop you.

We use old containers

As we have already said, a pond can be made even from an old bathtub. After all, in essence, it is no worse than the finished form.

The process of creating such a pond will be similar to the previous ones:

dig a pit for the form;
fill it with sand and make a cement screed;
insert bathtub;
fill with water.

Due to its weight, the bathtub will sag greatly in the pit, which is why it is recommended to tighten its bottom with cement - to strengthen it. So that over time the pond does not go deeper.

Also, use sand and soil to stabilize the bathtub inside the pit. To ensure a tight fit of our improvised bowl to the banks, fill in all the voids.

And do not leave the side of the bathtub open, it will not look aesthetically pleasing and will spoil the appearance of the future artificial pond.

And he will clearly show and tell you how to dig a bathtub and shape it into a pond with your own hands. Vitaly KIY in your video tutorial:

However, if your country cottage area It’s not big enough to have a full-fledged pond on it, don’t be discouraged - you can make a pond with your own hands at the dacha from small containers, as in the photo.

Take an old metal or wooden basin, a small barrel or tub. All of them can become an original decorative pond, which does not even have to be submerged below ground level.

By a small pond from an old basin there are many advantages, so don’t deny yourself the joy of creating a modest artificial pond if the area of the site does not allow for more:

does not require excessive costs - everything necessary for its installation is at hand;
it will take a little time to arrange it - from a few minutes to a couple of hours, but not a day or more;
it can be placed anywhere;
if you installed the pond on the surface and did not dig it in, then you can always move it to another place by simply pouring out the water and filling it again after moving it;
he doesn't require special attention for care - it is enough to change the water from time to time and wash it from the inside so that the bottom is clean.

Ponds made from a basin or small barrel can be installed on a reinforced, flat surface, filled with water and decorated decorative figures or flowers.

But if your basin has long lost its decent appearance and there is no way to return it to its former luster, then simply dig a small pit to suit its size, install it there like an old bathtub and cover it with pebbles along the shore.

As you can see, old containers allow us to fantasize and create incredible ponds with our own hands in a dacha of any size. And this helps us realize our creative potential.

Pond for the dacha made from a tire

However, if renovations in the apartment are not planned, and the old basins have long since become leaky or turned into flower beds, do not despair, you still have a chance to get your own pond.

And for this you will need the most irreplaceable and available material – car tire. Tires in modern country society have long turned into a universal substitute for building materials.

And it’s not surprising - the strength and shape of the tire allows you to make anything out of it, including a pond. And the size of the future reservoir will depend only on the size of the tire you choose.

First you need to prepare your future container - cut it along the top edge so that only the sides remain. For this you will need a jigsaw or sharp knife(if you chose a tire from a passenger car).

Afterwards you can move on to the pond itself.

Installation steps:

Outline the outline of the tire and dig a pit to the height of the prepared bowl.
Fill the pit with sand and compact the bottom.
Insert the tire inside.
Cover the tire and the bottom of the future pond with thick film.
Fill the edges of the film with sand, and then decorate with turf, stone or embankment so that the film is well fixed.
Fill the pond with water and decorate it with pre-designed decor.

Your tire pond is ready. And it is not inferior in beauty to either ready-made bowls or large film ponds located over large spaces.

In addition, it is easier to care for and keep it clean, and it does not require a lot of water or effort to arrange it.

As you can see, if you have long wanted to feel landscape designer to turn the cottage into a nice place a vacation where you can not only work, but also enjoy nature away from the noisy city - you can always create a pond with your own hands without much expense.

If you liked our ideas, read other articles in the series!

And a pond. Even a small body of water attracts those around you like a magnet. The water is mesmerizing even in small quantities... Moreover, you can build a pond with your own hands in a few hours. But this is a small artificial reservoir. Building a large one will require both money and time.

Where to dig

Small artificial reservoirs are best viewed from above. Therefore, if there is a corresponding depression on the site, it is best to do it here. There is, however, in this negative side: You will have to raise the edges of the bowl higher to prevent rainwater from getting inside. The second option is to come up with a water drainage system (make a drainage system above the reservoir).

If there is a key somewhere on the site, it is logical to make a natural pond by digging or deepening the existing bowl, lining its borders with cobblestones or stones, and planting plants. The stream, which is sure to exist in this case, can also be improved by lining its edges with cobblestones, drowning them in the soggy soil, you will give greater strength to the bank, and you can plant moisture-loving plants between them.

Even a small waterfall is a magical sight. How to dam a pond if there is a natural stream on your site - dig a pit, cover it with stones and direct the stream into it

Not everyone has such a luxury on their property as a stream or a spring. We have to make artificial reservoirs. When properly designed, they look no worse than natural ones.

How to make an artificial pond with a bowl (without film)

The simplest and quick way to make an artificial pond at the dacha - bury the finished bowl in the ground, shaping and decorating its edges. There are plastic bowls - ready-made different forms, sizes and colors (mostly blue, green and black).

Construction of a plastic garden or country pond- it’s not a difficult matter. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

It is necessary to dig a pit in the shape of a bowl. If the shape is very non-standard, you can turn it upside down at the installation site and outline the outline with something (even dig it with a shovel). The bowl is taken to the side and a pit is dug. It should be a little larger in size - a little wider, but not deeper. The edges should either be flush with the ground or protrude slightly. If you can raise the edges a little, it will be even better: when it rains, dirty water will not flow in.
After the required depth is reached, the bottom is leveled to the horizon: it is first leveled with a shovel, then compacted and the excess is removed with an even bar. The surface must be smooth and hard: the plastic must have good support. If the ground is poorly leveled (clay), you can pour 5-10 cm of sand, wet it and compact it.
The next stage is installing the bowl in the pit. If the bottom has been made level, the edges of the bowl will be level with the horizon. Now the space that remains between the wall of the bowl and the pit must be filled with soil or sand and compacted well.
Now it’s time for the design: the installation is complete, you can fill in the water.

How to use this technology to build a pond in the courtyard with lighting, see in this photo report (you can scroll through the photo gallery yourself by clicking on the thumbnails below).

We are digging a pit. We decided that the sides would be 1-2 cm higher than the level of the path - there would be less debris inside, and we would decorate the edges with stones. On this side, just below the maximum level, we cut a pipe into the bowl so that excess water would drain. She was taken to the sewer

But it is not always and not everywhere possible to constantly add and remove water to the pond. Then you will have to either plant plants that will clean it, or change it periodically.

Pond from an old bathroom

You don't have to buy a bowl at all. Any container can be used. Even old bath. It turns out very well. All the steps are the same, the pit is dug first, a bathtub is placed in it, what goes next, see the series of following photos. In them, a pond from an old bathtub is transformed into a truly charming corner.

The platform was also entangled with wire - so that the clay did not float and the platform did not sag. This is already a month later, such beauty - a garden pond built with my own hands makes me happy

Pond from a car tire (with film)

A mini pond can be made from an old one car tire, or rather from a tire. The larger it is, the larger the reservoir. The most difficult thing in this matter is to cut off one side part. If the resulting edges are sharp, they need to be processed sandpaper. The second most difficult task is to dig a hole suitable size. The difficulties ended there. The rest is quite easy.

The cut tire is installed in the hole, covered with earth on the sides, and compacted well. Also, earth or sand is poured inside and the bottom is leveled. Take a piece of thick polyethylene film, you can fold it in half and cover the resulting tank. Don’t try too hard: just pour water, it will straighten the film itself.

Instead of polyethylene, you can take banner film (available from advertising companies that produce outdoor advertising) or a piece special for swimming pools and ponds. They are much stronger (but more expensive).

The protruding ends of the film are tucked around the walls of your pond and decorated with stones. The construction of the pond is completed, next comes decoration and planting. See how to make a pond from a tire in the photo report.

The next stage of making a mini-pond for a summer residence is decorating the edges with stones

There is certainly nothing complicated about such a device. Anyone can build such a pond at their dacha with their own hands, and the investment is minimal.

In general, mini-ponds are made from tanks, barrels, pans, even flower pots. The main thing is that there is a body, and designing it is not very difficult: experience gradually comes. They are placed in the garden, at the dacha, near the house. It is possible to supply water, make a stream, it can be placed under trees, for example, or shrubs. Both beauty and benefit at the same time.

Making a pond with film

By creating this artificial pond made of film, you almost exactly repeat the work described above, only without installing the bowl:

mark the shape of the future pond;
dig a pit, forming ledges if necessary;
clean the bottom of any sharp objects: roots, stones, etc.;
level the banks of your pond;
spread the waterproofing film;
fill the pond with water;
fix the edges of the film;
decorate.

A country pond created using this technology can be of a more substantial size. Important point: on loose soil, simply making a pit and laying down a film will not work. We will have to come up with some measures to strengthen the banks. In this case, you will have to either install a bowl, or make a more serious structure - from brick or concrete. Next, let's look at examples of how to inexpensively make a pond from film.

First project: sides flush with the ground

Eight simple steps and your pond at the dacha is built. How to dig and arrange a pond at your dacha and make it look natural, see the photo report.

Second project: raised sides

Second option homemade pond in the first stages it is built almost the same as the first one. Only after the pit reached the design depth were the sides raised, lined with bricks along the edges and concreted. The result was a pond with raised sides. A water circulation system has also been made. It is shown in the figure below.

As you can see, this pond is more multi-layered and its displacement is more serious. If you want to have a pond of at least medium size and not build a serious bowl, you can do as shown in the figure: fill the created pit with sand, cover it, and only lay the film on top. Geotextiles evenly distribute the load and do not allow plants to grow. This is especially true if you are building a pond in the garden and there are shrubs or trees nearby.

Serious projects: brick and concrete

If you want to have big pond at the dacha, and if you want to build it with your own hands, you will have to study the topic of building swimming pools. Firstly, the construction of the bowls repeats all the stages one by one. Even the forms are sometimes made stepped. True, the banks are not decorated with plants, and they are not planted in the pool itself... But the construction process itself, with reinforcement, plaster, and waterproofing is the same. Moreover, the water supply and water treatment system is also similar. Except that chemical cleaning methods are not used in ponds, but filters, screamers and ultraviolet light can be used.

In general, a large pond is not a cheap pleasure. Moreover, it requires expenses not only for construction, but also for maintaining a large reservoir in normal condition: filters need to be regularly cleaned and cartridges or backfill replaced. But of course the pleasure is great...

Not the largest pond, but it required 10 bags of cement, 30 bags of sand (20 coarse and 10 fine), a hydrophobic additive - 5 bags to make the concrete water-repellent. Plastered on a mesh fixed in the ground

Pond Plants

When shaping or choosing a bowl, consider not only its shape and depth. If you want plants to grow in your pond, a marshy riparian area is necessary. If you form a pond using film, you can make a profile approximately like the one in the picture.

It is more convenient to do this if you fill the pit with a layer of sand at least 15 cm thick. With its help you can make the relief the way you like. To make the work easier and the film not torn, lay geotextiles on the sand. This thin membrane is very tear-resistant. You can do whatever you want without breaking it. Having formed the desired bottom topography with its help, you can line the film and lay stones on it, fill it with water and plant plants for the pond at different levels.

To ensure there is enough oxygen in the water, you can plant Elodea, hornwort and swampweed. They are in the photo below. Planted in water, these are aquatic plants.