Size, shape and location are chosen. The concrete rim is set and the inside soil is removed. Notice the sloping mid section that acts to separate the pond.
The smaller pond with water in the foreground was our original pond for many years. All animal life was transferred to the completed larger pond. Then the small pond was filled in with soil.
Newspapers line the pond and add padding.
Next the rubber pond liner is placed and water is added.
Ludwigia peploides (water primrose)
is one of many mainly native aquatic plants that shade and beautify the water.
Others include: Myriophyllum aquaticum (Parrot's-feather), Najas guadalupensis
(Southern Naiad), Potamogeton sp. (Large-leafed pondweed), Rorippa
nasturrtium-aquaticum (Water-cress), Typha latifolia (Broad-leaf Cat-tail),
Pontederia cordata (Pickerel-weed), Spartina patens (Marshhay Cordgrass) and
others. All the stones for our pond are native cap rocks from the Kamp Ranch
member of the Eagleford Shale group. For additional information on stone artwork
for your pond, go to Stonework for Ponds.
This is the sloping mid section
that was created in picture #1. It provides a continual moist soil for plants
such as water cress and it is a constant water source for butterflies. In
addition, this area provides easy access for the box turtles to enter the pond.
Nymphaea odorata (Fragrant
Water-lily) have beautiful blooms from mid June through mid September. Many
colors are available and the large lily pad leaves shade the water. Having a
wide variety of plants in your pond insures not only diversity of beauty but
also competes for nutrients, an excess of which leads to algal bloom.
Today there are Gambusia affinis (mosquito fish - yes, they will eat all of the mosquito larvae), dragonfly and damselfly nymphs and toad tadpoles. Around the pond, toads croak in spring and summer. Rough earth snakes and box turtles also call this area home. Many birds visit including mourning doves, blue jays, cardinals, robins and others. In a matter of a couple of months, your pond could be an oasis of solitude.
Coming Soon: View Elm Fork Nature Preserve pond
Royce & LuCretia Milam Copyright © September 2002 Wild Vision. All rights reserved.