How to Install a Preformed Garden Pond

Ponds are a wonderful addition to a garden. They provide a place to grow water plants and even fish. Installing a preformed garden pond is somewhat easier than dealing with a liner, but it will still require quite a bit of digging.

Things Needed:

• Preformed garden pond


• Pump


• Can of spray paint for marking the ground


• Tape measure


• Shovel


• Sand


• Piece of scrap two-by-four


• Level

1. Select the site for the pond. Ideally, this should be a level area that receives a great deal of sunshine. If unsure of the location of utility lines, call the local utility company to have them marked before you dig.


2. Place the pond on the ground in the desired location, and mark around the edge with the spray paint.


3. Measure the width and depth of any preformed shelves in the pond.


4. Use the spray paint to mark these locations on the ground inside the outline.


5. Dig out the areas marked as wide and deep as the preformed shelves in the pond.


6. Put the pond form back in place, and mark around the bottom of the pond with the spray paint.


7. Remove the pond, and measure the depth of the bottom of the pond.


8. Dig the area for the bottom of the pond 2 inches deeper than the measurement for the depth of the pond. Digging the hole in this way will prevent unnecessary digging and provide better support for the shelves in the preformed pond.


9. Add 2 inches of sand to the bottom of the hole and smooth with the piece of two-by-four. Check to make sure it is level. Continue adding sand and raking smooth until the surface is smooth and level.


10. Rinse out the preformed pond with water, and set it in place.


11. Use the loose dirt removed from the hole to begin back filling around the edges of the pond. Only fill to about halfway up the sides of the pond.


12. Start filling the pond slowly with water. Continue adding sand or loose dirt around the edges of the pond as it fills.


13. The edge of the pond should sit slightly above the surrounding ground. Create a slight grade of about 10 degrees sloping away from the pond to prevent rainwater from draining into it.


14. Install the pump according to the manufacturer's instructions.


15. Let the pond sit for 48 hours before adding plants. If adding fish, dechlorinate the water first.