Building a Natural Pond, Step-by-Step [plus tips for making any pond look more natural]

I walk you through the steps of creating a new natural wildlife pond. Full of important information you need to create your own pond.
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Building a Natural Pond, Step-by-Step [plus tips for making any pond look more natural]
In this video I walk you through each of the steps you need to complete in order to create your own pond. We will talk about:
- dealing with slopes
- collecting rain runoff
- using carpet for an underlayment
- adding the pond liner
- adding stones
- making planting shelves
- reducing algae in the pond
- adding a dock
- adding plants
As a bonus I discuss 5 tips for making any pond look more natural.
List of Credits:
Images:
All slides and videos belong to GardenFundamentals.com or are public domain images, except for the following:
Music:
is either public domain or from Kevin Macleod: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

[@ADAWC]

Most honest and best professional suggestions for this kind of pond I've ever heard so far👍 Keep up the good work🙏

[@francus7227]

I have already built my 1st pond. I didn't learn as single thing in this clip because I have done a lot of research for my 2nd pond. This clip made me feel GOOD because it let me know my plans are good ones. My 2nd pond is gonna be super. Thank for the clip.

[@deka-lh5zk]

I regret I can "like" this video just once. The topic was covered completely, clearly, fluently explained and - factually reliable. Hats off!

[@pearlruth]

I just finished reading your book on Natural Ponds and finally have answers for the unique location for my pond that no other book addressed. Other books show a level location on the lawn. My pond is on a gentle slope in a woodsy bog and heavy yellow clay. My goal is creating a natural eco-system and already have the joy of a hundred frogs, 5 or 6 leaping for the water at each step. I've had a great blue heron, snapping turtle visited to taste the tad pols, and a water snake. No fish for me, I want to swim in it next summer. The landscaping starts next year. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Sounds like a great pond. You might enjoy our FB Group: facebook.com/groups/GardenFundamentals/

[@Lbff1225]

Terrific video!! Wish we had more land for a large pond. We’re currently in the city with a tiny backyard, so we’re going to attempt a tiny dragonfly pond (fingers crossed) Thanks for the video!

[@manalani3724]

thank you as always.

[@sharoncasavant7650]

Thanks! Can't wait to make my 4' pond!!

[@enechikhadwe]

Good work❤❤❤❤

[@ca147]

Thanks for the video! Hoping to build a smaller pond in our backyard mainly for our pet turtle, but also for my son to splash in on hot summer days.

[@riedhurtig8495]

Wow! Inspiring and informative. Looking forward to using lots of your tips and wisdom for my pond project. Thank you

[@andrewacevedo1297]

Thank you very much for this great video.

[@johanetalicekriel1362]

Thanks for all this amazing info! Your voice is so soothing too. Best wished from South Africa

[@hoangngocloi1066]

Thank you for your share.

[@freddieg1095]

Great video. Thanks

[@maritimegardening4887]

Great video Robert - very thorough and informative!

[@katkat3640]

Our section is quite small but I would love to have a small pond somewhere for wild life

[@dogsforever6473]

good information...Thanks for that....shall we use sand instead of pebbles inside pond...and minimize the pebbles

[@dougfranco9995]

i have also added a small island with a sumac tree or any scub tree in the state ....me 7a Tn. and feeder fish .Toledo Goldfish Live Comet Common Feeder Goldfish for Ponds, Aquariums or Tanks are very nice and can handle the new crane and eagles you will be feeding , much cheaper then ryukin, the yamagata kingyo, sabao, and tamasaba ,

[@porojandaniel5738]

hello! very good info! can the natural pond sustain itself if you introduce fish in it, not necessarily koi, but local species, without filtering?

[@chrys77cross]

I need to turn an established dugout into a pond because the house we're building will be overlooking it. How to turn it from being muddy into a beautiful pond? Looking forward to this series!

[@chrys77cross]

Does an established dugout area need a liner or can we clean it up just with water plants?

[@jowoo7237]

Any thoughts on plastic chemicals leaching into the water from the liner and carpet? Thanks for the content.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

The amounts are going to be extremely small - not a concern.

[@biggamehunter23]

Which type of dragon fly will breed in the horse trough or a rubermaid pond? I need a smaller pond that will hopefully allow me to introduce purchased nymphs every spring to kick it off. The pond will be up year round. Thanks

[@natashaowens2177]

Old carpet does decompose and it does it quite quickly if you look up other videos.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Mine is about 12 years old - and I checked it - looks like new - except dirty. It does have to be synthetic carpet.

[@natashaowens2177]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 that's interesting. Either another person (pond business owner & other pond owners) either lied & manipulated their information as well as video (which I wouldn't doubt) or they managed to come across non synthetic carpet. If/when I do this I hope that the carpet will work; cause free/cheap would be outstanding!

[@cindyrussell5963]

Hello, thanks for this most informative, simple and practical video! Question? Is this a pond natural considering you have carpeting and lining in it? Also, Can this pond be done without the carpeting and lining? After Hurricane Dorian, I had massive flooding in my yard. The water took a while to dry up and I notice fish and larvae were in the water. So, would I get the same affect using tap water?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Is any man-made pond natural? It is natural by many definitions. You don't need the liner if your soil will hold the water. Most garden soil needs a liner.

[@tigerbomb508]

I think you will be good if it holds water

[@unchoosen1272]

You have done great work. I like your technique to making a natural pond. This summer I would like to make a pond about 10 ft by 6ft and 3ft deep in one part and shelves all around. Im in wisconsin..gets cold in winter. Basically I want to attract frogs and toads and dragon flies. They are already in my yard. How many gold fish would you recommend for my pond size?...thanks for your time.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Buy a dozen.

[@unchoosen1272]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 thanks.

[@ingebuchanan7517]

Thank you so much for your excellent video. Just one question. When planting in the pond without soil, is it OK to plant as soon as the pond is filled, or should there be a delay to allow nutrients to accumulate in the pond?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Plant right away - the pond already has nutrients.

[@ingebuchanan7517]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 Thank you so much, I'll definitely plant them as soon as the pond is filled. 😊

[@jackson32]

I want to build a pond for water catchment. Is there anything else I need to do for that? He never mentions water catchment as a reason for a pond.

[@lukeswain98]

I want a pond without plants as you speak of. Where can I see a video and buy your book thanks

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Buy the book on Amazon. amzn.to/3SLuEeV

[@gdrozd555]

What's a ballpark cost for something like that?

[@jenandfelix33522]

Great video but it doesn’t really explain how to fill your pond with water and how to control water levels. If you have any info on that please share. Thank you

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

With a hose. I don't control water levels except top it up once a year.

[@CuriousinNY]

Can you swim in the pond on a hot day? How do you keep the pond from freezing and killing the fish and plants?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I could, but for a natural swimming pond, I would design it a bit different. The pond freezes in winter. provided the CO2 level does not get too low, a hole in the ice helps, the fish and plants are fine.

[@CuriousinNY]

Garden Fundamentals Do you have a book describing how to turn a 28,300 gallon in ground pool into a natural swimming pond? Then if the water is green I know it’s ok. Or would the fish and plants be able to keep it clear? I’ve been trying to research how to do this and you are the closest I have come so far.

[@sabreprincess9258]

What about aeration?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

You don't need artificial aeration. Gas exchange happens at the surface of the water.

[@bufordfox8095]

What if you found some large lumps of natural in the place your building

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

not sure what you are asking?

[@saeed6811]

What about making the shelves 90 degrees?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

90 deg relative to what?

[@saeed6811]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 relative to the ground where you sit to enjoy the pond. This way it is easier to lock large rocks and level them perfectly.

[@samanthanicole18]

Can you use other things instead of a liner

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Maybe - but why would you? Making ponds takes a lot of work - do it right the first time.

[@samanthanicole18]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 because liner is expensive if a 13 year old wants to make one

[@tammy5666]

Your title is confusing. I don't consider a rubber lined pond "natural".

[@ADAWC]

He is trying to help people to build durable natural looking ponds. The liner is hidden. Other ways may cost more and may need more man power to build

[@eleonoragrossen8083]

how can you call a pond with liner "natural"? are there any liners in nature?? i guess not...

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I call it natural since we don't use pumps, chemicals or electricity.

[@patricianealfarley7150]

‘Natural’ is a widely used word these days. It comes on the plastic packages on a lot of our food. I like a natural look in my home but my plants are in pots. I garden organically but I use deep beds. I have a pond with a liner that provides a habitat for a wonderful natural waterworld of living things in nature. I love what the water provides. Without my liner I’d miss out on the beautiful natural world of waterscaping. 🐚🪷🦋🐸🦆🐢🦎🐠🦢🌿🍁🪺🌈⛲️💙

[@garyscott3656]

Using carpet is not a safe or good idea as :out carpet is made chemicals that will decompose and leech into soil and water. A more natural way is always better your grandkids will appreciate it too

[@holversonmusic3141]

Cool video, but I wouldn't consider the pond "natural" since you put in a plastic liner.

[@moedeclerk6688]

liner = not natural mate

[@klm20079]

liner is no natural... why people keep saying that.. you got good clay... pres that shit

[@ildeperfo100]

скучное видео.

[@NickDanger3]

Sorry, if you build a pond by throwing oodles of synthetic carpet material all over the ground, it is not a “natural pond”

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

For soil that does not hold water - it is as natural as it gets.

[@everythingmatters6308]

Your exposed carpet is leaching microplastic fibers into your pond. I have your book. It is my only criticism, but it a huge issue you are ignoring. You need to come up with a better idea.

[@joephelan5427]

Sorry but i do not think stones around the edges look natural.

[@ADAWC]

Stones are part of nature. You can redesign it however shapes or sizes that fits your eyes. A most important function for big stones to lie around the pond above the water is to absorb heat from the sun and then slowly release the heat back to the water at night. This is important in cold climate regions and in the winter. It means life and death to the water features.

[@thenaturalswimmingpondco.1883]

Do not build it this way

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

My initial pond built this way is 15 years old - almost no maintenance! Seems to work.

[@spicypeteinthailand8732]

Fairly good advice, but the pond used to show as an example is only an example of a very unnatural, horribly landscaped, and generally ugly looking water feature.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

I am sure your video will be better.