Evolution of the backyard pond

The pond started with an idea that came to me one night in a dream. 

The concept was to build a raised bed, like some people do with vegetable gardens, and put a pond liner in it. The original dream it was going to be 12' by 12' and would have a rubber pond lining in the front about 12' by 8' and the back would be dirt to plant back ground plants in. As I started putting the dream in to reality I realized that the size was not the right proportions for the backyard. You see a year prior I had built a 12' by 8' with 4"x 4" framed box that I put a silk tree in surrounded by "grass".

Silk Tree in Grass Bed

So I started building the frame work for the raised bed. Using pressure treated  2"x 8"x 12' I laid out the first layer of boards using steel reinforcing brackets in the corners. As I moved it around, it became very clear it was the wrong proportions to the area. So adjustment were made, leaving the length alone and adjusting the depth until it felt right. A second layer of boards then were added on the top giving it a 16" height. More steel brackets were used to reinforce all the boards. 

My wife, Sharrie, suggested instead of using a pond liner we should use a plastic preformed pond and we picked up a 125 gallon preformed pond from Home Depot. We also went to the local rock store and bought a ton and half of planting soil and also up some rocks to use around the edge of the pond. 

Now the hard work began! Wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow soil was moved from the driveway, where they dumped it, to the backyard. Slowly the bed started to fill. When it was about half filled, it was time to start fitting the pond in. Because the preformed pond was free form, the importance to end up with a level pond took multiple tries to back fill and level. Also a 3" flexible plastic tube was buried so that electric cords could be pulled from the lower front of the frame to the back of the structure. 

Frustrating was the word of that day!

It was a long couple days

A well deserved rest was taken while the soil and the water filled pond settled in. It would a week before I would work on it again. Of course, with the settling the pond was not level any longer and the soil had shifted. So a day of emptying, adjusting and refilling was on the agenda. 

Meanwhile, I had ordered a 200 gallon an hour pond pump, a waterfall insert and all the pieces to make them work. Have you even had a puzzle that was missing a piece or two? Well laying out the rocks, from the local rock store so that the pond edges were hidden was that type of challenge. To say a lot of trail and error would be a understatement.

Starting to look like something

Over the next couple weeks adjustments were made to make sure everything was level and that the raise bed was built strong enough to hold the weight of the sand and water. All in all my thinking was good and no structural issues was found! 

It was time to head to the plant store. Because of the location of the pond to the deck, it would be important to keep the plants at the front lower so not to interfere with the sight lines. Toward the back taller plant would set a wonderful backdrop. Lantana and creeping wire plant were some of the choices for the front and red fountain grass for the back. To be honest most of the first choices of plant were not well thought and some had to be replaced the next year. More on plants later in the blog.  Some goldfish from the local pet store and the pond is starting to take shape.

A pond in the making

For the fish and overall pond water health a filter was added to the waterfall system and water plants from a online pond supply. 

Algae slowly became a problem so some algae eating fish (common bottom feeders) were added and also some water conditioning chemicals were needed. We lost a few fish over the summer, whether be the heat or to predators but the ecosystem was starting to balance itself out. 

A raised walkway was added so you can walk from the deck to the pond.

Water Plants

Walkway added

Time to prepare for winter! Honestly I had a lot of ideas how to weather the pond over the winter and did not do any of them. I did not do my homework and did a lot of reacting instead of planning. Winter in Vegas is mild compared to the winter wasteland of Minnesota (where I grew up) but still there are freezing nights and very cold winds that can kill plants and freeze water. By leaving the pump running kept the water moving so it would not freeze and goldfish can handle the cold water. The plant needed some extra love. On cold nights landscape fabric was laid over everything to try to keep some daytime warmth in and when the sun came out it the next day it was pulled off. The plant still suffered and a few plants including the fountain grass died. 

Education comes in many ways....

Winter cold and summer heat protection was needed. So a canopy over the pond bed was constructed.  On the four corners of the pond bed a pair of 8'x4"x4" placed at 90 degree angles were attached. At the top of these a wood  was added as a roof edge and lastly slats were placed across them to create some shade for the pond bed. This also will be used next winter to create a green house to keep the temperature at a more plant friendly temperature. We will see how this works this summer, it will most likely need to be modified.

This spring the pond plants have started to truly enjoy their place in our backyard. The few plants that did not over winter were replaced (using better judgement). The fish are starting to get large and have settled in to their home. We had a pump issue, a cracked housing, and because of a delay of being able to get the replacement parts a new pump (the same model) was bought. When the replacement parts are available we will get them so we have a back up.  By the way, during the time without a pump, we used a aquarium air pump and hand poured water back and forth to put air in to the water. It got the fish though! Here are some current pictures of the pond and plants,

Well there it is; the evolution of the backyard pond. As all things in life it will continue to evolve as the nature takes over. We have added hanging baskets from the top with cascading flowers and the bees have found the sweet smell and taste of the lavender. Solar lights now shine down from the top to gently light up the pond in the evening and submerged lights add interest to the water. 

A place for reflection and peace!

For those who are interested in more details on what plants are working, the type of equipment (pumps and such) or any other questions, just call me 702-203-6827 or shoot me an email rwesterenstudio@gmail.com. Also when this "Stay at Home" is lifted and you want to see the pond just contact me to make arrangements, we can have a glass of wine and enjoy it. 

I hope you enjoy the evolution of a pond and some of my other blogs. If you did please pass it on to your friends. Until the next time - I bid you peace