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Landscape design
Margarita Merkusheva 07/26/2019
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How nice it is to enjoy beautiful images of nature and breathe clean air. And there is a wonderful place for this - the dacha. Here you can realize your ideas. One of them is building a pond at the dacha with your own hands. Near such a body of water it will not only be pleasant to relax, but also boldly show off to your guests the masterpiece you created with your own hands. The size of the pond will depend on the free space on the territory, and the arrangement will depend on each person’s personal imagination and financial capabilities.
Film base
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Film as a base
The use of waterproofing film as a basis provides great opportunities for recreating a reservoir of various shapes, even the most unusual.
PVC film is also not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet rays and temperature changes. Its color lasts for a very long time. The service life is up to 10-15 years.
Butyl rubber film is more reliable. It is more expensive in price. It is used to create deep ponds.
The material is purchased with a reserve (+50 cm on each side) to ensure that its edges are well secured along the banks.
PVC film for pond
The work is carried out in the following order:
- The outlines are marked with lime or sand
- A shallow ditch is dug. Excavated soil is not thrown away
- New outlines are indicated. The bottom should be the deepest
- Using string and measuring tape, calculate the required footage of waterproofing material
- The bottom is covered with a layer of sand. Then non-woven fabric or geotextile is spread to protect the film from possible contact with roots or stones
- The film is spreading. The bottom and ledges are pressed down with pebbles
- The pond is slowly filling with water. It is important that the base material settles gradually
- After 2-3 days, the shores are drawn up. The edges of the cellophane are tucked in. Tiles and stones are placed on top, filling the resulting gaps with sand.
What could a pond be like?
First, it is necessary to determine the primary purpose of such a structure, and only then begin the construction of the structure and its further design.
So, according to functionality, an artificial reservoir can be divided into the following types:
Small ponds. They relate more to the landscape composition, complementing the overall picture. It won’t be difficult to create such a reservoir, but it won’t be possible to have active recreation nearby.
Decorative ponds. They have a slightly greater depth, and, as a rule, are subject to decoration with additional elements. These can be bridges, fountains, and much more.
For breeding fish. This pond will appeal to avid fishermen and will definitely please children, who will be able to watch colorful fish.
Swimming pools. An artificially created body of water that performs many functions, especially if its dimensions allow for swimming.
If you have already decided which option to choose, then it’s time to move on to the next stage.
How to prepare a pond for winter
A pond made from a plastic bowl withstands winter cold well. To prevent the bowl from deforming under the load of ice, several plastic bottles with sand can be placed in the container.
Cleaning is an important step in preparing a structure for winter.
In the case of a film structure, a similar method can also be used. In winter, equipment and plants should be covered. When leaves first appear, the pond should be covered with a fine mesh net. Before frost, the reservoir is cleaned and water is pumped out. Plants and fish must be sent to winter in warm rooms. Pumps and filter equipment should also be removed.
When cleaning large bodies of water, special equipment is used
In spring, the reservoir can be launched when night temperatures rise above zero. If all installation rules are followed and high-quality materials are available, you can build a beautiful pond in the shortest possible time. The use of stylish decorative elements will create a wonderful central composition on the site.
A beautiful pond is an important part of the country landscape
Tires on the move
Tires are a very affordable material that our people have learned to use in different ways, and the home pond is no exception.
True, in this case it will be more of a pond, but still. The creation principle is simple, and looks like this:
- We cut the wheel on one side;
- We cultivate the ground to remove weeds and debris, compact the soil;
- Place the film tightly;
- We decorate;
- Fill with water;
- We enjoy our work.
Decorating a pond at the dacha is a painstaking task, but worth all the effort and money. You can aim for a massive project or be content with a mini-copy of a pond; here everything depends solely on the mood of the owners.
In any case, you can be sure that the result will be an incredibly beautiful decor, near which you can gather for a picnic on a summer day, or just relax looking at the pond.
Plastic
Due to the increased popularity of country pools, the demand for suitable materials has increased. And companies that work with plastic began to produce ready-made monolithic structures.
This method will help you quickly organize a space for relaxation, but the material has a limited service life. Each manufacturer has its own, usually a figure from 20 to 50 years. To install such a structure, you need to dig a hole of suitable size. After installing a plastic pool, you need to fill the voids with sand.
Fish pond
Beautiful, bright fish will add variety to your life. Small aquariums have long been out of fashion. Nowadays, reservoirs that contain various living inhabitants are gaining popularity.
These can be decorative fish species. They will help you relax and are sure to attract children and pets. Or you can set up an artificial pond with fish or crayfish suitable for fishing and further consumption.
Landscape
The depth at which groundwater flows. If they leak close to the surface, you will have to additionally strengthen the pond.
Opportunity for further growth. You or your children will likely want to change the design or make some adjustments to the size of the pool. Or add some entertainment elements nearby. Therefore, when considering the location of the reservoir, take into account the possibility of further redevelopment.
Availability of electricity. Lighting and fountains are powered by electricity, which must be taken into account when choosing a location. There are several options. You can place a recreation area next to the house.
If you want to make a pond in a remote area, you will have to bury the electrical cable in the ground. Appreciable depth is required to comply with safety regulations. But, if there are joints on the wires, then you will have to arrange the necessary access to them.
Manufacturers
Ponds for summer cottages made from plastic molds are quite popular now, so the choice of manufacturers is quite wide. Not only foreign, but also Russian manufacturers can compete for price/quality ratio. Among them:
- Chris Group has been specializing in the manufacture of plastic products for 18 years. The company's prices are among the lowest on the market, because Chris Group has its own production.
- "Composite Lux" produces foundations for ponds made of fiberglass. It is one of the leading companies in the pool manufacturing market.
- "Your SELIGER" specializes in the manufacture of frame pools and decorative ponds.
- The most popular are German and Heissner.
Decoration with plants
When decorating a pond in the garden with plants, you should understand that they are divided into those that are planted on the shore along the edges of the pond, and plants that live directly in the water. The root system of shore plants will additionally strengthen the walls of the pond. When planting plants in a pond in the garden, it is important to keep in mind the speed of their growth, otherwise, after a long absence, there is a risk of finding a pond completely covered with a thick carpet of vegetation.
Deciding on the installation location
The pond needs to be installed in a place where you can admire it, and not hide it behind seven seals.
Accordingly, when creating such a masterpiece, it is worth considering several points: area, light, relief, presence of groundwater, soil composition, reflection, landscaping, visibility, power supply (if necessary), the ability to further expand your creation.
The list of work on the construction of an artificial pond should begin in the spring. This is necessary so that the latter can “take root.”
Butyl rubber as insulation
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most optimal options for organizing and strengthening a pond.
If the chosen option involves a rocky bottom and greater depth, then experts recommend using a membrane made of this material.
The service life of the structure in this case can reach over fifty years. In addition, an indisputable advantage is the fact that the material can withstand sudden temperature changes.
Photo gallery
A selection of photos with the most striking landscape ideas for the design and decoration of large and small, but beautiful ponds on the site near the house - for your inspiration:
Caring for a decorative lake
The peculiarity of the plastic structure is that if you leave water in it during the cold season, you don’t have to worry about the lake freezing. The products can withstand temperatures down to -30°C and are excellent for temperate climates.
Plastic forms are easy to maintain:
- the structure must be periodically cleaned of silt and overgrown algae. This can be dealt with without draining the water;
- It is better to install pumping equipment with a filtration system. The circulation of water will prevent the process of its flowering, which will save you from unnecessary hassle of cleaning the bowl from plaque;
- It is necessary to remove leaves and branches falling into the container from the trees. In autumn, you can cover the pond with a special net so that falling leaves do not clog it.
As you can see, a decorative pond does not require much effort on your part to care for. But it fits perfectly into any landscape design, and due to the variety of shapes and sizes, it allows you to realize the most daring design solutions.
These articles may also be of interest to you:
- How to quickly make a garden pond
- Construction of ponds and waterfalls at the dacha
- Decorative garden pond in a private house
- Installing a tap and a mortise clamp on a pipe
Types of ready-made forms
Garden ponds are made from various types of plastic, since this material is waterproof, does not corrode, and is not very sensitive to low temperatures.
- Polyethylene – small reservoirs with a volume of 130 to 900 liters are made from plastic. They are designed for 10 years of operation, are quite durable, and resistant to ultraviolet radiation. However, the material does not tolerate repeated bending, and cracks that occur cannot be repaired.
- Polypropylene - differs from the previous version in being much more resistant to bending. This property extends the life of the product – up to 20 years. Installation is allowed on surfaces with shallow relief. You may also be interested in a polypropylene pool bowl.
- Fiberglass - or fiberglass, a composite material of organic origin. It has very high strength with low weight. Ponds with a large volume and a depth of more than 1.5 meters are made from fiberglass. The durability of the material exceeds 30 years. Fiberglass pool edges are often coated with a stone finish to give the product a more natural look.
Plastic pools not only do not need to be put away indoors for the winter, but it is not even necessary to drain the water from them.
You will find all the information about fish farming in artificial reservoirs here.
