FAQs 2: Where should I build my pond?

Updated: 01 May 2007
Things to think about when you are looking for a site for your pond
Q: I've got a rectangular shaped garden with a tree in the top left-hand corner
(horse chestnut) and a group of various deciduous trees in the bottom
right-hand corner. The garden is 15ft long x 12 feet wide, and the trees
cover roughly 2m2 in each corner. The rest of the garden is grass, with some
flower beds around the edges. Where would the best place be to site a Koi
pond? Do I have to be concerned about the trees dropping leaves in the pond?
Or should I consider cutting down the trees?

A: In many parts of the UK, you need planning permission to down trees. Near us any tree with a diameter trunk of more than 4cm at chest height is automatically preserved.
If your are up-wind of the prevailing wind in your area or all the trees have large leaves that a protective net can keep the leaves out, then there is little problem.
Trees that can present a problem are Oak, Laburnum, Yew, Elder and Willow.
These will have toxic to poisonous foliage.
If the pool is going to be fully planted, it needs to be in full sun. If you are going to run the water through a complete and efficient biological or other filtration system, you will want part shade or light shade for the whole of the day.
It needs to be in a sheltered area and not in too boggy or wet part of the garden.
Beware of the costs of installing electrics from the house to the pool and you will need easy access to top-up facilities.
If it is a fairly formal feature, it really needs to be close to the house. It sounds as though it needs to be close to the house anyway.
As an informal shape it can link patio and the informal reminder of the garden.
If it is flush with ground level ensure there is a good wide edging that has a fall a way from the pool, so that grass, cuttings, and debris from the lawn will not blow in. I would favour a part raise feature, with a wide enough wall to sit on.
A backdrop of tall evergreens against the the garden fence is a good visual ploy, but you may want to get all the way round. So the edging will double as a footpath and a divide from the border around the back of the pool.

If you want to know more the article from the beginning of the year called "The Perfect Pond Recipe"(click here) is just what you needÂ