Garden ponds: 5 proposals to transform the outdoors into an oasis of peace and relaxation

There is something magical about the gardens embellished with ponds and small streams. The water brings harmony and a touch of freshness, making even the most barren landscapes more inviting. Water relaxes the senses, helps meditation, and creates fascinating light reflection displays. And anyone who has a garden, whether small or large, can put this element into these spaces by using simple containers or creating artificial ponds from scratch. Their insertion is not too complex but does require a minimum of planning - starting with the choice of the right location. Usually, ponds are positioned to the south, in areas which are not exposed to too much direct sunlight.

Equally important is the choice of the shape and size of the pond. These are essential features to decide before moving on to digging out the soil, (which usually will be a minimum depth of 100 cm [40 inches]). The ground must also be cleared of any stones and other debris, then covered with a layer of sand, followed by lining the hole with waterproof sheeting. If the garden is very small, you can create an aquatic habitat using simple water container tanks.

If your garden is large enough, dig a hole in a shaded area, not too close to deciduous trees and line it with a protective, waterproof sheet. Place decorative stones inside and a stone border around the perimeter. Beautify the surrounding landscape with ornamental / decorative plants that thrive in a high-humidity environment.

You can further decorate the pond by adding water lilies, lotus flowers and also multiple varieties of aquatic plants, (whic are useful for counteracting the formation of algae). Ludwigia, Marsilea mutica, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Sagittaria teres: choose your favorites and plant them in your water garden.

If the garden is small, use tubs, old zinc baths or even wooden barrels, fill them with water and populate them with marsh and aquatic vegetation. Nothing prevents you from also including some goldfish or tadpoles into the artificial pond.

Depending on the style of the garden, you can focus on minimalism or further enrich the landscape surrounding the pond, creating a very attractive corner. Lighting is also important - thanks to spotlights and other lamps / lanterns, you can enjoy the water landscape in the evenings and at nightime.

Fountains, waterfalls and other water features are all elements that give life to the water in the pond, making it even more fascinating. Not to mention that these features are useful from a practical point of view: in the warm seasons they keep the water at a lower temperature; in the cold season they prevent the formation of ice. You just have to choose the pond that's right for you and start building it.