How To Create A Mini Garden Pond

18 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog


If you have a small garden, you might think that you haven't room for a garden pond. However, you can create a mini pond by undertaking this simple project that can be completed in just a few hours. Here's how to do it.

What you'll need

  • a large, watertight container (an old bath is perfect)
  • several planting baskets of different sizes
  • aquatic compost
  • several aquatic plants
  • a few old house bricks
  • waterproof sealant
  • pea gravel
  • a feature that's taller than the rim of the container

You can obtain everything you need for the pond from an aquatics department in large garden stores or specialist suppliers.  Old baths can be sourced cheaply from reclamation yards.

How to do it

  1. Start by giving the container a thorough clean to get rid of any grime.  You can do this by using a scrubbing brush, washing-up liquid and water, remembering to rinse away any residual soap thoroughly afterwards.  
  2. Now use silicone to plug up any drainage holes in the bath, following the manufacturer's guidelines.  
  3.  Place the bath in the final site for your pond.  It's important to do this now, as you won't be able to move the finished project easily once it's full of water!  
  4. Take the house bricks and place them around the inside edge at the bottom of the bath.  The bricks are there to lift the plants up to the right level.  
  5. Place a layer of aquatic compost in the bottom of each of your planting baskets.  Take the plants out of their pots and arrange them in the baskets in twos or threes.  
  6. Put more compost into each basket to cover the plants' roots and water them thoroughly.  Wash the pea gravel through under running water to get rid of any dust, and then place a few centimetres on top of each planted basket.  
  7. Arrange the baskets in the bath, making sure that the taller plants go at the back to provide a backdrop for the smaller ones.  This is important if your pond is to be placed with its back to a wall or hedge.  If the pond is going to form the centrepiece to your garden, put the tallest plants in the centre and the smaller ones around the edges.  This allows the whole display to be seen clearly from all sides.  
  8. Fill the bath with water, leaving a few centimetres from the top to allow for rainwater.  
  9. Last of all, add your chosen feature.  You can choose anything for this; a mini stone bird bath, a decorative rock, or perhaps even a garden gnome!  
  10. Your mini pond is pretty maintenance-free.  All you need to do is remember to top up the water levels during spells of hot weather and remove dead leaves from the surface.

In conclusion

You can have a tranquil, attractive water feature in your garden, even if you have limited space.  For more information about which plants would be most suitable for a mini pond, ask at your local garden or aquatics supply store.


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