Building a Natural Swimming Pond (And Digging it by Hand)

In this video I show you how I transformed our small pond in front of the passive solar greenhouse into a natural swimming pond. You see me digging the hole, building a wooden wall for the swimming area, installing the bubble pump filtration system, building a jetty and planting the first water plants.
0:00 Intro
0:36 Digging The Hole
3:05 The Liner
3:48 Shovelling Sand Into The Swimming Area
4:01 Cleanup Work
4:10 Pond Layout
4:28 Building The Wooden Wall
5:29 Filtration System
7:17 Groundwater Problems
8:37 Planting Substrate
8:56 Jetty Part 1
9:28 Bubble Pump Test
10:05 Jetty Part 2
10:37 Building A Strong Edge
10:55 Planting Plants
11:23 First Swim
11:33 Landscaping
11:58 Seeding
12:23 Planting A Tree
12:33 Outro
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License code: TRKJTJANDMB67ICT

[@ryanwilson2334]

Unbelievable work! I cannot believe you did that all by hand!

[@lalogascoine3388]

You embody the old saying: "Where there's a will, there's a way". Great work, congrats!!

[@tzenophile]

I was about to say, where there is a pool there's a fool, but this looks really great, an example to follow!

[@draidangraham]

I started a job like this two years ago. Even with my own mini excavator I realised it was too much work for me. You've inspired me to think again. I wonder what you could do if you had machinery, you'd be unstoppable 😁

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Yes building pond is a lot of work! But keep going, it is worth the effort!

[@ukaszbozek6530]

10:55

[@ukaszbozek6530]

Y

[@taitsmith8521]

Machinery is overrated. Just work on it everyday for 20 minutes . It's about not missing any days and being habitual. There was a guy 20 years ago that ate a whole train car that had been processed into powder. Just a couple spoonfuls a day add up over time.

[@SamShudders]

You rock. I’m doing it. Starting with a smaller pond/fountain and garden in the center and horseshoe shaped orchard adjacent. Then a swimming pond will start. Thanks for the Inspiration and showing it can be done by hand. Also noting the air pumps vs water pumps.

[@robertmorris9998]

You did this by hand? Wow. You are an inspiration, and a reminder that a little work, over and over, will yield a big result. Thank you for posting this

[@safffff1000]

Lol, you could jump up and down on a shovel on my property and it won't dig in, this guys lucky to have such compliant soil

[@tzenophile]

@@safffff1000 try watering the soil first.

[@safffff1000]

@@tzenophile Rain hardly works. A 1800 psi power washer will slowly wash it away. Excavators or skid steers work, which I don't have

[@tzenophile]

@@safffff1000 That is why I would use a garden sprinkler, or maybe just a shower pistol, to get the right soak. And instead of an excavator (which could be rented for a day, fairly inexpensively) I once used a gas powered tiller to dig a pond, to loosen the soil before digging. A bit of hard work operating it, but it did the job.

[@nnthsttrls]

Heck yeah, dude. Hard work, but it's yours and it's rad.

[@lg3053]

WOW! I can't believe you did all this by hand. Amazing.

[@klerobi1]

A long time ago I had a business building natural swimming pools. What I learned is that you need a skimmer in every natural pool. The reason for this is mosquitoes, the skimmer pulls all the mosquito larvae into it. This is how we get a natural pool without mosquitoes. The size of the pump must be such that it turns over the entire amount of water in one day. It will probably be unpleasant when you sit in front of the pond in the evening and get bitten by mosquitoes, this is a solution for mosquitoes. I hope you are not angry that I am writing you this comment, very good video.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Hi there, thank you for your comment! The mosquitoes are a real concern with natural ponds, however the bubble pumps create ongoing waves in the pond throughout the warm months of the year and mosquitoes don`t like that. Until now I haven`t seen mosquitoe larvea in the pond! But thanks a lot for the suggestion, I very appreciate that!

[@rubygray7749]

​@@manuelangerer-permaculture You can always add a few small fish, which will eat any mosquito larvae.

[@Lila22.11]

What a hardworking and patient young man ❤

[@ChrisBGramz4u]

It always freaks me out when i am outside, without my phone, having a conversation with someone, then the next day there are videos on my feed about my conversation.

[@rhymeswithpizza4000]

WOW. What an amazing job and inspiration! Thank you for sharing all your hard work and the results!

[@Justin-nl2vv]

Excited to see the plants grow in! Great work!

[@MessyTimes]

You are an inspiration, sir! Thanks for showing us your process.

[@KristiesLexicon]

This looks like paradise! I hope we get another look once it's all grown in. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@sodamine]

I can’t wait for the next years for updates of this pond and how it’s doing!! ❤

[@davidcedar2810]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing the process!

[@ericsplace3004]

This looks great! Your hard work really paid off. Thank You for sharing this video

[@emmaslow]

This is beautiful. Thanks for giving so much detail, and for sharing the wobbles along the way - this is the first natural swimming pond video that has left me feeling like the whole thing is do-able! Thanks :)

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot for your kind words and feedback! :)

[@carolewarner101]

Yes, I feel the same way!

[@1957Babbs]

Bravo! What an incredible amount of work.

[@kittimcconnell2633]

Really lovely! May you enjoy it for many years!

[@bus535joyfully3]

Beautiful!

[@johnsmit5516]

What an amazing job. All credit to you. And with only hand tools I hope you and your family get to enjoy it for many years to come.

[@shaash5236]

Exhausting work! You don’t mind an enormous project all on your own !

[@amy5376]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this... in such a gracious, kind way. 😊

[@carlitomk]

Good work, buddy … inspiring to see it all done by hand! I hope you and your family get many hours of enjoyment from it.

[@gardeningwithoutboundaries]

It is absolutely gorgeous! I really felt for you when the rain came. But the end result was well worth the hard work! Magnificent!

[@graysongross7399]

Amazing work! I can't believe you did this all by yourself!

[@mjohanson1281]

Thankyou. Beautiful. Showing what you did and changed later is most helpful

[@GertjanakaSouL]

Amazing! Good job! The dedication and results are mind blowing! Enjoy your swimming pond!

[@triskerslake3763]

So much hard work, yet such a wonderful result! Bravo!

[@MrShnoz]

What a beautiful pond you built there! Looks so natural and peaceful. Great project!

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks!!

[@voiceofnature.]

wow Manuel, was für ein wunderschönes Projekt und so inspirierend zu sehen was ein Mann alleine alles schaffen kann! So schön euch 3 am Ende zusammen im neuen Herzen eurer Oase zu sehen!!! Ach ich kann kaum in Worte fassen wie sehr ich mich mit euch freue!!! Alles Liebe zu euch!

[@RealAdrianReactions]

Hallo Guten morgen

[@kroselavy]

Impressive !!! Such a nice job, the deck is beautiful

[@romanbozic5297]

You are strong! Bravo for good work....

[@DorrianGrey]

Incredible project!

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Awesome, I know how hard it is to move large amounts of soil etc around manually wheel by wheelbarrow. Brilliant job, thanks for sharing.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot!

[@alternativelivingbulgaria]

This video is excellent ❤ I'm saving it for when I'm ready to do the same. Sending love from Bulgaria.

[@sachinsalunke2597]

big fan of your work and pleasant Voice.

[@Calli.ramira_13]

The pond is so pretty 🥹

[@kassap118]

You are an example to others ,I respect your courage ,May god look after you and your family .

[@greeneileen]

Well done. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@JensOdense]

Wow, that pond looks great! I am looking forward to seeing it in a in spring or summer next year, when it is hopefully nice and grown in. Really good job :)

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks! I'll do an update on the pond next summer!

[@roxanaconti2419]

So beautiful!! Inspiring, thank you for share!

[@user-xx2ev6cf5v]

Молодцы!!! Великолепная работа.

[@rahulsudattkamble434]

The pond looks beautiful

[@user-lb1eh8hn8s]

An excellent presentation on how to construct a fantastic pond. Really well done😊

[@hawaiidoves]

that was really interesting. I like how just air bubbles doing their job, kept the water gin clear!

[@hansmarheim7620]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@Tupunaforever]

well done, your pond looks amazing and thankyou for your hard work and video.......

[@GaSoliNa2o]

Hammer! Sackstarke Leistung Manu!

[@Adnancorner]

I took german classes, couple of years ago. For some reason I love listening to someone who speak German as native language. You have very soft and pleasant voice.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks, I appreciate that! :)

[@user-qc3pf5kk1u]

Восхитительно! Вы - большой труженик!

[@JOSnTHELORD]

Your a machine! All that digging with a single shovel. Amazing job!

[@scox7748]

A lot of hard work. Amazing result. Can't wait to see the 1 or 2 year update.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@rachelmadrone3168]

That is beautiful and so inspiring!!

[@harryledwith3311]

Congratulations Manuel - fantastic work and result!!

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot!!

[@KP-ei9yp]

Well done, this is beautiful!

[@griefTime]

Respect. Huge work!

[@OG-Everthing]

bravo my friend

[@shoptastik2250]

Gorgeous!

[@dennisthompson7857]

Happy future with a big Smile from Australia.

[@mickflood]

Absolutely incredible we’ll done

[@sedbaka]

stunning work !!!!!!!!!!

[@paisleyMoon7]

I would very much be interested in watching more harvesting, planting, any gardening, cooking and recipes. I'm really hoping you'll add more content. 😊

[@jerrychetty2524]

Man your work is just so awesome and incredible effort ❤

[@Icantevenstandit]

Absolutely lovely ❤

[@sparkymark68]

This made me smile 😊

[@outdoorstudiose]

What an amazing build. So much work and so well rewarded. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@aliciaflippen]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[@robertdoupe4142]

I feel your struggle. I install pond lining for people all over Montana, that ground water can be a big problem. You have done a wonderful job.

[@milantasic6669]

Amazing and stunning work really great job !

[@markmurphy4319]

Wow. Just an amazing job.

[@Zaash5]

You are so determined and I am subscribing, ….. thanks for sharing so well the basics and the process ….

[@user-sy3ec5zx9b]

Wonderful/beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

respect for your effort. Thanks also for the info. You will be happy for the result

[@jcagaspar]

This much hard work deserves at least a subscription, thanks for an amazing video.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks! I appreciate that a lot!

[@madmaz8890]

Phenomenal effort !

[@mojominecraftmike]

love david pagan butler and his ponds, super excited to see you make one!

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Yes this system is so cool!

[@kaf2303]

Well done! Your physical labor reminds me of a huge retaining wall I built a long time ago when I was a teenager out of railroad ties and 24” spikes and a 9kilo sledge hammer.

[@Harrison2253]

Unbelievable accomplishment 👍

[@Eastsodakfreedom]

You have a nice pond as the reward of the hard work of your hands to get the project done. Nice summary video, ill be interested to see update videos in years to come how the drain and pump system hold up. Thanks

[@fabin9297]

Amazing! Congrats!

[@Ma-pz5kl]

well done Sir !!!

[@lisakenton2392]

You are what I call a real man. Congratulations on a job spectacularly well done. You are are inspiring.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks!

[@stammvegacami]

Wow! This is amazing! Hopefully it will last forever ❤

[@chrislowsky3091]

Fantastic!

[@ivanlarin86]

Such a wonderful pond! Best regards, sir!

[@northernfishmother]

One rock at a time, One shovel full at a time. It is all worth it. Looks amazing. I am still working on mine.

[@infinitesoultv]

Просто превосходно! Ты большой молодец!

[@randrfarm]

Looks great! Seems like it cleared up very quickly. This is a project we look forward to at our farm as well.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Yes, the bubble pumps do a great job! All the best for your future pond build!

[@planereality3675]

Thats pretty insane. Awesome job

[@Muttley69]

Wow amazing what an air stone's and a few plants can do for that amount of water, we'll done looks stunning

[@kitoro846]

Very nice work!

[@mariaeduardaandrade8371]

Impressive work! Well done

[@justinmorrow2932]

Inspiring pond and an excellent tutorial.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@eliahajjeassaf1864]

You work is a mere soul therapy, this what I called it therapy by work❤

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Yes I feel like that too when I do work like this!

[@aaronbaron3155]

All of that topsoil must have come in handy as well..... 2:46 and I should have waited to comment. Brilliant idea using the dirt that way. But based on how well you designed your system overall, I'm not surprised. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@69georgiepie]

Wow great job! You sure did deserve that swim! Bet that was a wonderful feeling 🙂

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Simply lovely. Serious work ethic and it was definitely rewarded.

[@37garysnyder]

love this many thanks for sharing

[@operator6471]

excellent work.