I have really enjoyed reading everyone's journals of start to finish pond building, so even though I am about 10 days in, I decided it would be a great place to start... and hopefully encourage others who are thinking of having their own pond.
The original spot I wanted for my pond was next to an existing wild flower bed near to the house, but now I am glad I chose the spot I have, as it will be much easier to expand over the years!
In the first photo, you can see the apple trees, in front of that, the electric netting, and in front of that a little spot with garlic poking up. I had planted a potato cage there a few years ago, and last summer there was some extra garlic there. It was already dug up nice and deep, good loose soil, so that became the spot for the pond. It is also level, with a slope to the east of it, perfect for my future stream.
Hubby dug and placed the existing preformed pond, about 5 x 3, and I planted some annuals, so that it would look decent for our daughters wedding reception, which we held last weekend. He placed 2 water lilies, 1 pitcher plant and 10 gold fish in the pond, and I had a small fountain pump.
If I had thought about it more, I would have realized that I should have gone bigger to start, because of course, now, I want to go much bigger! In the third photo, you can see the white hose outlining the area that will be about a 18 x 8 pond, with a small waterfall connecting the 2. The waterfall end will be the "deep" end, probably about 3 1/2', with a pebble beach on the other end. On the other side of the small pond, will be my meandering stream, running down hill, for about 40 feet, starting at a tree. About 3/4 of the way down, there will be a small, about 2 x 3 pond, about 1 foot deep.
I've just started digging the stream, and have about 6 feet dug.
My biggest problem right now, is figuring out the type of solar pump to get for the stream, and small waterfalls. I know I most probably won't have the big pond dug this summer, or much of the stream, and so am stuck with what to do about a pump, so that I don't have to buy one this year, and trade it in for a bigger one next year. I also need to come up with some sort of a filtering system.
The other problem is, even though I did do some digging yesterday, we have had so much rain here, that it makes it difficult. We are supposed to get storms later today, and pretty much rain all week.
So for now, I sit and dream, and plan.
