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