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Garden Pond Design: Planning Your Perfect Water Feature

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(Part 1)

Ready to add a peaceful water feature and wildlife ponds to your garden?

Welcome to our three-part series, where we delve into the art and science of garden pond design. Our expert garden design team has created this guide to help you start making a serene oasis in your backyard.

We discuss everything from choosing the best spot to mixing different styles, covering key points before you start digging. Learn how a good pond design can make your garden a home for wildlife or a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy nature.

Join us to start planning and designing a water feature that delights the senses and fits beautifully with your garden.

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2 different styles designed by Keltie & Clark

There are many aspects to consider before you even start to dig a pond. Here’s a garden pond design guide to assist you.

First, think about how much room you have for either small ponds or large water features, and choose the best spot in your garden.

Does size matter? Is it all relative? What do you want the water for, and how much can you afford to spend? In the end, a pond will increase the biodiversity of your garden and provide a pleasurable place to sit, listen, and observe the wildlife using it.

Location is key

  1. Do you want your backyard garden pond designs to be close to the house, allowing you to enjoy them on a summer’s evening with your preferred drink? Or would you prefer it to be further away from the house, as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
  2. When planning your garden pond, ensuring the water level receives adequate sunlight is crucial for the health of pond planting. This provides aquatic plants with sunlight in order to photosynthesise and support a healthy ecosystem. It also helps to maintain a stable temperature, which allows for the growth of beneficial bacteria in the pond.
  3. Prevent debris and shade from affecting your pond by avoiding overhanging trees, ensuring a clear space for plants, including native species, to thrive. There are three obvious reasons. It would block sunlight, which is beneficial to the pond’s ecosystem. You want to avoid tree debris falling into the water, which causes the pond to silt up and requires periodic cleaning. Also, the tree roots could penetrate the pond liner and damage it.
  4. Factor in the proximity to your electricity supply when building your pond, as this affects the overall materials and construction costs. We will help guide you through these choices.
  5. Lastly, for optimal backyard garden pond designs, avoid placing your pond in an area with a high water table, or where water already collects. Underground water pressure could damage pond liners. If your pond is lower than the rest of the garden, heavy rain could wash pollutants into the pond and damage the ecosystem within it.
Whites pond
Pond design by Keltie and Clark

Designing Your Garden Pond

After choosing a location, decide on the pond shape, size, and style that best fits your vision, whether it’s a natural pond for attracting wildlife or a formal koi pond. Part of our process as garden designers is to help you realise your dreams and aspirations. We will talk you through this stage to get an understanding of what you hope for from your water feature and find a solution that works for you and your garden.

Are you looking to create a natural retreat for wildlife, a serene koi pond, or simply a decorative feature within your budget? To attract wildlife, house fish, purely as a feature or large enough to swim in?

Backyard garden pond designs, especially swimming ponds, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Originally developed in the early 1980’s to promote the healthy benefits of bathing in natural water.

They are an attractive alternative to the clinical swimming pool and allow you to get closer to wildlife.

Personal Swimming ponds
Swimming pond in the back garden

Our expertise spans creating diverse pond types, from natural ponds that blend seamlessly into your garden, to ornate koi ponds, all tailored to fit your space and budget.