How to build a small garden pond
Having a pond in your garden brings the beauty of nature right into your backyard, creating a focal point to your outdoor space. However, not everyone has the space for a large landscaped pond. Fortunately, creating a small pond is both manageable and rewarding. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a garden mini pond.
1. Choose your pond
The first step is to choose the type of pond you wish to have. You can either opt for a preformed pond, which is made of plastic or fibreglass and comes in various shapes and sizes. Or you can create a pond from scratch by digging the ground and lining it with a pond liner.
If you want an easy option, we recommend a preformed pond such as our Liberty Solar No Dig Nature Pool. This provides all the benefits of a pond without the hassle of lining. Preformed ponds are also less prone to leaks and require less maintenance compared with DIY options.
However, if you want to create a custom shape or size that fits perfectly in your garden, digging a pond from scratch may be the preferred option.
2. Choose a location
Depending on your garden’s size, you may be limited to where you can place your pond. Ideally, you want a spot that receives partial sunlight — about 4 to 6 hours a day to help support any aquatic plants and fish you might want to introduce.
Avoid placing your pond directly under large trees, as falling leaves and debris can cause issues for your filter and water quality.
Learn more about sizing and positioning your pond.
3. Gather your materials
For a preformed pond, you will need the pond shell itself, gravel for the base, and possibly some sand for levelling, as well as a level to check the pond is even.
If you’re going with a DIY dug-out pond, you’ll need a shovel (or a spade), pond liner, garden hose to outline the shape if needed, and optional underlay to protect the liner from sharp objects.
4. Prepare the area
Start by clearing away any grass, weeds, or debris from your chosen area. Then dig out an area slightly larger than the dimensions of your pond so that it can sit level on all sides. If you’re using a preformed pond, make sure to dig a hole that matches the shape and depth of the shell.
If you’re creating a custom pond, you may want to have varying depths to give your fish space to swim. A depth of 3 feet is recommended for large fish and 1.5 feet for smaller fish. If you’re keeping plants, shallow areas are excellent for marginal plants, whereas deeper areas are ideal for submerged plants.
5. Install the pond
As soon as the hole is ready and levelled, carefully place your pond shell inside, adjusting as necessary until it sits evenly. Add gravel around the edges of the pond to secure it in place.
If you’re using a liner, smooth out any wrinkles while ensuring it covers all areas of the hole. Use soil or stones to weigh down the edges, keeping everything in place.
6. Fill the pond with water
After installing your pond structure or liner securely, fill it up with water slowly to avoid disturbing its setup too much. As you fill it up, check for any leaks or shifts in position and make adjustments as necessary. Once the pond is filled, let it settle for a day or two to ensure everything remains stable.
You may need to add other equipment such as a pond filter and air pump to maintain water quality and oxygen levels. Learn more about what equipment you need in your pond.
7. Add plants and fish
Once filled with water, allow it to stabilise for a few days before introducing plants and fish if desired. As a general rule of thumb, do not stock more than 60cm of fish body length (not including the tail), per square metre of your pond’s surface area. Too many fish in such a small space can lead to overcrowding, which can negatively impact water quality and your fish’s health.
Learn more about adding your first fish to your pond.