Building a Pond: The Ultimate Guide to a Beautiful Garden Pond - Step by Step Guide

For most do-it-yourselfers or gardeners, creating a pond in the garden will not be too big a task. In fact, building your own pond is a great job to do. But what should you pay attention to when building a pond? And how much does it cost to build a pond? With good preparation and our comprehensive instructions, you can build your own virtually maintenance-free pond step by step. Whether a natural pond, tight pond or small pond; for each variant we give you the advice you need.

Simon van der Velde


- 5 pond construction tips from Simon -

1. Pond construction plan

Don't dig first and only then think about a design plan but turn it around. What do you want to do with your pond? What is the purpose? A swimming pond, a koi pond? How big can and should the pond be? What is the planting plan? This has a direct impact on the depth. So first deepen your plan and only then the pond itself. Of course, the size and purpose of the pond play a major role in developing the plans.

2. Pond plant selection

The design possibilities in terms of plants are very large. It is important that a balance is and remains, so that all the plants get the space to grow and bloom at the right time without crowding each other out. There are enough examples of one species winning out and remaining in the end.

3. Pond planting plan.

Provide a planting plan, where the plants themselves ensure that the pond remains clean and healthy. Do the positioning of the plants so cleverly that the chance of algae growth remains minimal. A statement by Simon van der Velde is that you do not really need filters and other technical aids to keep a pond clean and clear. The plants can do that very well themselves. Maintenance is mainly done in spring and autumn. In the summer you sit with a drink in your hand and enjoy a nice growing and pleasantly blooming collection of pond plants.

4. Pure Nature

Do not be tempted to buy all kinds of measuring devices and water improvers. None of this is necessary: if your fish swim well and the plants grow nicely, then the pond is in balance and the water is of good quality. These are the indicators!

5. Setting up a pond

First plants and substrate in the pond, then water. Often when my help is called upon to advise on pond planting or problems, the pond is already filled with water. A fully filled pond does not allow for improvements to be made. Also, placing plants in deep areas is easier when the pond is not yet completely filled.

excavating and constructing a pond step by step

Constructing a pond

What is involved in making a pond? What preparations do you need to make? With a practical step-by-step plan to follow, we will guide you through each stage of constructing a pond with liner. If you build a pond the right way a filter or pump becomes superfluous and you will have little to worry about with your water feature.

Constructing a mini pond

Creating and decorating a small pond

If you have a modest garden, then a small pond is an excellent fit. We call a small pond this way if it contains less than 10,000 liters of water. It is perfectly possible to keep fish in a small pond. We give you specific tips on what to think of when creating and decorating the pond, of course with the right pond plants.

Create mini pond in 5 steps with our handy mini pond kit

Making a mini pond

If you have limited space, a mini pond is the ideal solution. Constructing such a pond is not difficult and will definitely help increase your living enjoyment. By adding a mini pond, you can expect that various species of animals will come to enjoy the water. Below, we explain what materials you will need and explain how to responsibly set up your mini pond so that you will enjoy it for years to come.

Van der Velde Water Plants Terrace Pond

Terrace pond making

The solution if you have a small home is to install a mini-pond or patio pond. It is not complicated and really enriches your living space, thanks in part to the animal life that it attracts. We explain which materials you need and how you can design your patio pond in the right way so that you can enjoy it for a long time.

pond substrate

Pond substrate, the foundation of the pond

Not all pond stores recommend pond substrate, but we do. Pond substrate is in fact one of the most important ingredients for keeping your pond biologically balanced, without the use of a pump or filter. The coarse, porous grains attract good bacteria that help to keep the water in your pond clean.

Organic plant pond in the garden

Organic plant pond in the garden

Thanks to rich planting and a layer of pond substrate on the bottom, a biological plant pond or organic pond keeps itself in balance. An important part are the right aquatic plants, such as oxygen plants, water lilies and marsh plants. With our explanations for the best place, setup and maintenance, you can create your own organic plant pond in the garden.

Natural swimming pond

How do you build a natural swimming pond? And can you do it yourself? We believe that you can, provided you do it carefully. Thanks to our step-by-step plan you know what needs to be done at each stage and make a natural swimming pond yourself. Important part is the right planting, such as marsh plants and oxygen plants.

Van der Velde Waterplants koi pond

A koi pond in the garden

A good koi pond is not something you create overnight. The popular koi need the right environment and care to thrive in your koi pond. For example, place the aquatic plants in a separate part of the pond, otherwise your koi will quickly eat them. With Simon's tips you can get started for a koi pond in the garden.

natural pond with plants

Create natural large pond

As a nature lover you choose a natural pond in the garden - at least if you have the space for it. Characteristically, this pond blends into its surroundings, as the rich planting ensures. It is a magnet for insects, birds and other animal life. A thorough overall plan is essential if you want to create a natural pond in the garden.

mirror pond rectangular

A clear mirror pond

If you like sleek design, you may find a shallow mirror pond to be an addition to your garden. Thanks to its sleek, often rectangular body, the water surface is flat and reflects its surroundings. But what should you pay attention to and how do you keep your mirror pond clear? Simon gives you tips and explains which aquatic plants are suitable.

pond-without-pump-or-filter

Pond without pump

A healthy pond with a spacious plant filter and pond substrate on the bottom, does not need a pump or filter. Nature itself keeps the pond in balance. You can even keep some fish and your pond requires little maintenance.


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Frequently asked questions about pond construction

Ponds are often excavated incorrectly. Therefore, it is important to make a good design of the desired pond. We have often come across people who just started digging a hole and wanted to put foil in it. This was all quite successful. But then they came to the design of the pond. This is not easy when no zones have been created. Because a pond without zones, consisting of a square hole, say 1.5 m deep, can contain little or no plants. It may sound crazy, butwater lilies can also drown if they are too deep. The leaves then no longer come to the surface. Hence our advice if you want to create and design your own pond in the garden.

If you want to construct your own pond with foil, keep in mind the average cost of € 200 perm2. Making a good plan can prevent unnecessary costs. Simons Pond Advice BookThis book gives you all the tips & tricks to save money and to build a successful, clear pond in one go.

Constructing ponds can be done year-round, except when it's freezing. Weather conditions have changed so much from 25 years ago that the seasons have become less and less different. For example, we stock our nursery with aquatic plantsyear-round .Plants don't grow as fast in the fall, but they overwinter and sprout right back in the spring. They are hardy. Thus, you can dig a pond and plant pond plants all year round. The only exception to this rule is when it freezes, because then there is ice on the water. Then the construction of a pond will be more difficult.

One of the best times to plant your pond is in the fall. In that case, the plants will experience the winter period and will be stronger for the start of the growing season in spring. In many (online) stores, liner and pond substrate are for sale during the winter period, but pond plants are not. At Van der Velde Waterplanten, water plants are available year-round in the winter.

This is highly dependent on what kind of pond you want to build. For this purpose, Simon has listed the most frequently chosen ponds plus his advice. See all types of ponds and tips


Curious about all the natural pond supplies?


There are four groups of aquatic plants that can help keep your pond clear and create a biological balance.


Pond plant packages

100% organically grown and only hardy varieties


All about pond construction

From digging to filling, this is how to build the perfect pond for an attractive addition to your garden.

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