| First of all: know what you want. If you need | | | | Do not land-lock a section of your yard that may |
| some ideas, visit the library or your local book | | | | later need drains, sprinklers or heavy construction |
| store and browse through landscape books, | | | | material. Place in advance or remove such items |
| garden and pond magazines. You can also search | | | | and install necessary drains and sprinklers. If it is |
| the web and read and study as much as possible. | | | | not convenient to run the sprinklers at this time, |
| Layout is the most important phase of the entire | | | | run 4 inch drainpipe sleeves under the stream or |
| project. I have heard many complaints from | | | | section of pond to enable running low voltage wire |
| disappointed clients after they had a chance to | | | | and sprinkler lines later. |
| get used to their new addition to the landscape. "I | | | | When it comes to the koi pond depth, if you plan |
| only wish we had made it bigger ... made it deeper | | | | to have it more than 18" deep, you will need to |
| ... added an island ... made it longer and constructed | | | | check with the local building codes to determine if |
| a bridge ... built it closer to the house ... installed a | | | | a 6 foot perimeter fence is required. You may |
| larger water pump for the waterfall … or ... | | | | also need door alarms and self-closing gates at |
| built the waterfall higher or wider." | | | | the side of the house. If the koi pond site is not |
| Most of these wishes could have been granted | | | | level, do not worry about it; you will have all the |
| for a reasonable cost before or during | | | | excavated dirt from the pond to level out uneven |
| construction. But waiting until afterward means | | | | terrain and get creative with terracing for an |
| incurring a major expense that may be cost | | | | upper koi pond and waterfall or a sloped portion |
| prohibitive. If your choice is to omit the item or | | | | of the yard for a stream or creek. |
| feature because of its cost, then make structural | | | | A pond can be placed on the side of a hill by |
| preparations to allow for adding it on later. You | | | | constructing a retaining wall to hold back portions |
| can plan and design the landscape to allow for | | | | of the hill. Drive a stake in the ground until the top |
| easy additions to the koi pond later just by the | | | | of it represents the water surface of the koi |
| strategic placement of trees, sprinklers, drain lines, | | | | pond. Continue with additional stakes in the shape |
| and much more. | | | | of the proposed pond using a level as you go. |
| When you decide exactly where you want to | | | | Keep in mind how deep the koi pond should be |
| place the koi pond, take your time laying it out. A | | | | and begin to remove the dirt. As you do so, note |
| garden hose is popular for this job because it can | | | | the condition of the soil and determine if you will |
| easily be moved around until the desired shape is | | | | need only shovels and a pick, or if you will have |
| achieved. Once that is accomplished, you can use | | | | to rent a jackhammer. Also, if the soil is sandy |
| construction paint and spray the ground in the | | | | and unstable, you may need to shore up the |
| outline of the hose. If there is any doubt about | | | | sides with plywood forms and supports prior to |
| where to locate the koi pond, give it a couple of | | | | pouring concrete. |
| days and ask for outside opinions. Then walk | | | | Most often the soil from a pond excavation can |
| around the yard while you observe the proposed | | | | be used to create berms in the landscape plus |
| spot from various angles, especially views from | | | | mounding for a waterfall. If the koi pond is large |
| inside your house, from the room where you | | | | the excavated dirt can be used to terrace a level |
| spend most of your time. | | | | back yard, facilitating a second, elevated koi pond. |
| Remember to take into consideration everything | | | | If there is no access to the back yard for a |
| around it. How close is the nearest tree? Will its | | | | bobcat or excavator, additional soil will need to be |
| roots pose a problem later? Is there going to be | | | | removed by wheelbarrow and can be dumped |
| sufficient sun throughout the day? Some water | | | | into a rented trash bin or dumpster. |
| plants require more sun exposure than others, | | | | The most important stage of the water feature |
| such as lilies. Make sure you know where the | | | | project is planning, not layout and excavation. If |
| main power, water and sewer lines are routed to | | | | you have not planned and predesigned your |
| the house. It is not so good to find out after the | | | | waterfall and koi pond by now, file this article |
| fact that the gas or water line runs right through | | | | away until you do. |
| the center, 36 inches below the surface of a 48 | | | | It has been a pleasure sharing with you. Until next |
| inch deep koi pond. | | | | time. Happy Koi, Peace & Joy. |