It is wonderful when there is a lake or a river near the country house, because water has long been considered the element, symbolizing peace and tranquility. In addition, according to ancient beliefs, the owner, near the dwelling of which the reservoir is located, expects a life in prosperity and great happiness. But what could be better than your own pond, located in the garden or just decorating the yard? In recent years, many landscape designers have become fascinated with the creation of artificial reservoirs, and after them, the owners of country houses also lured away this idea to themselves. Moreover, it is possible to create such luxury independently, having studied only some details of the work.

Content

• 1 Pond in the country: where to start?
• 2 Making a pond with a ready tank
• 3 Artificial reservoir: apply the film
• 4 We decorate our own pond: plants and fish
• 5 Possible mistakes when creating a pond

A pond in the country: where to start?

The process of creating an artificial reservoir in the country itself is not so difficult, but it’s requires compliance some rules. An important place in the installation of the pond is direct preparation for work, which consists of the following steps:

1. Making sketches (sketch of the future reservoir).
2. Study of the terrain.
3. The choice of the optimal location of the pond.
4. Selection of materials for the reconstruction of an artificial reservoir.

Before you proceed directly to choosing the place where the pond will be located, you need to do small project. It is not necessary that this was a professionally executed sketch. It is enough to decide with the desired shape reservoir, its details. Pond design style should be directly related to the landscape of the suburban area. Therefore, choosing a suitable form for the tank, it is best to focus on surrounding area.

Next to the bed laconic simple forms It will look good similar reservoir. But for lovers of natural fit disproportionate design of the pond. With this technique, you can get the impression as if the water comes from the very beginnings of the earth and not introduced into the recess by artificial means. If you plan to make the addition of the pond fountain, then this moment must be resolved and clarified in advance. At this stage, it is necessary to determine the size of the reservoir.

He must blend harmoniously with a total garden area - for example, a large pond in a small area will not look very aesthetic. Although, at the same time, miniature tank with water against the background of a spacious courtyard will create no bad impression at all - on the contrary, this way a particularly cozy atmosphere will appear in the country house.

Determining the location of the reservoir, it is better to give preference to the site, which often get the sun's rays. It is desirable that the selected area was protected from the wind, for example, one of the walls of the building. If trees are a way of weather protection, they should be at some distance from the alleged pond. First, their roots can easily destroy the walls of a dug trench. Secondly, leaves or even fruits that need to be constantly cleaned so that they do not have time to rot can get into the water. Modern landscape designers advise to have an artificial reservoir in the southern part plot, as this rule dictates Feng Shui. It is believed that water, which is concentrated in the "correct" area, is able to attract good luck and prosperity into the house.

And, of course, be sure to choose base material for the future of the pond. From what will be made an artificial reservoir in the country, depends on the method of work. In this regard, there are two types of material for waterproofing pond:

• ready capacity in the form of a small bath (most often, from fiberglass);
• waterproof film for piling the pond bottom (PVC, polyethylene or butyl rubber).

Making a pond with a ready tank

For those who are going to independently work on creating an artificial reservoir in their summer cottage, the most acceptable way will be to use plastic molds. The fact is that they simplify the entire technological process to the maximum. Important is the fact that the blanks have useful qualities such as strength and resistance to external influences.

Fiberglass tanks not scary temperature drops as the seasons change, they are not deformed by the growing roots of trees and are not afraid of the bright sun. The only disadvantage of this method is that it is difficult to find a form for creating a large reservoir. But for ponds of medium and small sizes, you can easily choose a reservoir with the outlines you like. Usually tank area is about 8 m².

The acquired form for the future reservoir to install completely not difficult. In order to issue a beautiful decorative plastic pond at the summer cottage, you need to gradually perform the following steps:

• on the chosen terrain is necessary circle around the contours of the tank to get clear boundaries of the future reservoir;
• then you can start digging a hole for the finished form, orienting along the marked line, clean the bottom from stones and roots;
• the bottom of the pit follows cover by a layer of sand, approximately 10 cm;
• for clarity, it is worth checking how correctly dug a ditch using a level;
• after that you need to put the tank in the recess and fill with water. The fluid level should be less than half - about a third;
• the space between the walls of the tank and the pit should be filled with wet sand, while gradually raising the water level to the maximum;
• to decorate the pond: to enclose it with stones, to decorate plants or even have fish in it.

Artificial reservoir: apply the film

In the absence of a ready-made form, a pond can be created, so to speak, completely with one's own hands. Of course, this method will take more time and effort than the previous one, but you can show imagination and creativity in it, giving the reservoir unusual bends and lines or, conversely, making it more natural. "Film" pond can have absolutely any dimensions, as it does not need to be customized for a certain size. The thickness of the film depends on the volume of the reservoir - the larger the pit, the thicker the waterproofing material should be. Optimal values ​​range between 150 and 250 microns.

Pond formation using butyl rubber or polyethylene film is enough laborious process. It consists of the following steps:

• the choice of terrain and the designation on it of the contours of the future reservoir (rope or hose);
• digging the hole of the intended shape, in compliance with the specified size. The distance from the ground and to the bottom of the recess must be at least 90 cm;
• cleansing the bottom of the future pond from the roots of plants and stones;
• additional digging around the pit of a shallow ditch - in order to make the film more convenient to fix;
• the bedding of the pit with sand, the layer of which should be about 10 cm;
• placing the film in the recess so that it protrudes beyond the edges of the pit;
• pouring water into the pond;
• fixing the edges of the film with heavy stones and a layer of earth;
• decorating the pond.

The main feature of the "film" reservoirs - their slopes must be gentle and stepped.

The film is sold in rolls. The thickness of each is usually does not exceed 3 m, therefore, if you plan to create a large reservoir, then waterproofing material must be glued. It is customary to bond the film with high temperatures. If you do not have a special device, you can use a regular iron.

As for the type of film, it is best if it is black, since the transparent material is considered lower quality and can quickly come into disrepair.

We decorate our own pond: plants and fish

In order for the pond in the country to bring into the environment a little originality and comfort it needs to be decorated. An artificial reservoir, simply lined with stones, will not seem to be something special, but if skillfully surround with flowers or even put fish in the water, you get an interesting composition.

Around the pond can be planted various plants. Of course, the flowers should be predisposed to the existence of in a humid environment otherwise they will simply die. And directly in the pond itself you can put water plants in pots. For example, for this great water lilies will do.

If you wish, you can make fish in the pond. In this case, the bottom should be covered with pebbles or sand. In too small a pond, “living creatures” will not work - the water will freeze very quickly. Best of all, if an artificial reservoir will be to have depth at least 1.5 meters.

Possible mistakes when creating a pond

Unfortunately, often independent work on the creation of artificial reservoirs are not quite perfect. On the one hand, like, everything is extreme simple and clear but on the other - for some reason there are small and not very defects. Basically, all the shortcomings arise, at least for one of four reasons:

1. The works were not carried out "in season".
2. The location of the reservoir was chosen incorrectly.
3. The size of the pond does not harmonize with the surrounding area.
4. The pond is incorrectly decorated.

First, it is necessary to engage in the creation of the pond only in summer or, in extreme cases, in late spring. By this time the land has time to dry. Secondly, before the work you should definitely pay attention to the terrain. The future pond should fit into the landscape of the summer cottage as naturally as possible, therefore in no case should it be located in a valley or on an elevation — both will not give a very positive effect.

Thirdly, a large reservoir does not mean that it will necessarily look beautiful. Against the background of a small suburban area such an addition will be look ridiculous. In addition, when choosing the size of the pond should consider its purpose. For example, for breeding fish is better to do deep and wide a reservoir, but for decorative purposes, on the contrary, this is not worth it. And, fourthly, the design should be done skillfully, not trying to make a pond like a well.

Recently, this kind of landscape design as artificial reservoirs successfully used by many experts in this field. Anyone can make a beautiful own pond; main characteristics. With regular care, the reservoir will become a real decoration of the dacha.