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