How to Make an Artificial Rock Pond
- 1). Contact your local gas and electric companies before digging to make sure your site does not contain any wires or gas lines.
- 2). Outline the shape of the pond. Organic and natural shapes tend to blend into the landscape, but linear designs work well in some yards. Whatever you decide, use the lawn spray paint to mark the outer edge of the pond.
- 3). Begin digging, starting at the edges first. Once you've dug the outline of the pond, you can move inward. Ornamental ponds should be at least 18 inches deep, whereas fish ponds should be closer to 2 feet. Beyond those guidelines, you can go as deep as 3 feet if you like, but the extensive labor may persuade you otherwise. You'll want to leave a small shelf around the side walls of the pond for any aquatic plants that have shallow root systems. Remember that the rock bottom will take away several inches of depth.
- 4). Use the tamper to smooth and compact the pond bottom.
- 5). Add a layer of sand at least 2 inches thick on the pond bottom.
- 6). Take the pond liner and spread it out over the pond. Try to push it down in all the lowest points so that it contours to the shape of the pond you dug. Leave the excess to sprawl beyond the pond's edges for now. Use large landscaping stones around the perimeter of the pond to hold the liner in place.
- 7). Take your smaller landscaping rocks and add a layer of them throughout the pond's bottom and around the ledge. Make sure the liner is covered as completely as possible.
- 8). Trim the excess pond liner back to the stones that hold it in place. Fill the pond with water, and begin planting the aquatic garden you had in mind.
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