Decor ideas for a small backyard pond
July 28, 2017 1:45 PM Subscribe
What can I do with my backyard water feature? Fish aren't an option. Looking for creative, low-maintenance ideas!
Hello! Our house came with a small fish pond in the backyard (photos including our now-departed fish :(). It used to have goldfish, but after several gory raccoon attacks, we decided to remove the goldfish. We kept the small mosquito fish and currently still have the filter going as well as the oxygen thingy that was in there for the goldfish, though I guess maybe we can remove that? The filter creates a small waterfall in the back of the pond that is not very visible.
The pond is about 3 to 4 feet by 3 to 4 feet and is surrounded by palm trees, wood decking, and some other plants. This is in coastal San Diego.
What would be some attractive/cool, fun, and (most importantly) low-maintenance things we can do with the pond now? I was originally thinking water plants - there were some nice lily pads in there when the fish were living there, but something started eating them and they were looking really ragged and gnarly, so they came out along with the fish. I'm open to trying again with plants if they're super easy and no- (or very low-) maintenance. Other things I've considered are floating candles and/or a floating fountain of some kind? I want to be able to leave whatever it is in there all the time. Also, it's really hard to get stuff in and out of the pond because of how it is built into the deck and surrounded by various plants. So I need things that either never have to come out or, if they need to come out rarely, are really easy to get out from the sides or by using a net or hook. And it can be weird and/or wacky, too! Or normal. Either way. Thanks all!
Hello! Our house came with a small fish pond in the backyard (photos including our now-departed fish :(). It used to have goldfish, but after several gory raccoon attacks, we decided to remove the goldfish. We kept the small mosquito fish and currently still have the filter going as well as the oxygen thingy that was in there for the goldfish, though I guess maybe we can remove that? The filter creates a small waterfall in the back of the pond that is not very visible.
The pond is about 3 to 4 feet by 3 to 4 feet and is surrounded by palm trees, wood decking, and some other plants. This is in coastal San Diego.
What would be some attractive/cool, fun, and (most importantly) low-maintenance things we can do with the pond now? I was originally thinking water plants - there were some nice lily pads in there when the fish were living there, but something started eating them and they were looking really ragged and gnarly, so they came out along with the fish. I'm open to trying again with plants if they're super easy and no- (or very low-) maintenance. Other things I've considered are floating candles and/or a floating fountain of some kind? I want to be able to leave whatever it is in there all the time. Also, it's really hard to get stuff in and out of the pond because of how it is built into the deck and surrounded by various plants. So I need things that either never have to come out or, if they need to come out rarely, are really easy to get out from the sides or by using a net or hook. And it can be weird and/or wacky, too! Or normal. Either way. Thanks all!
I'd guess it was the fish eating your water plants so I'd try plants again. Mosaic plant is awfully pretty, as are many waterlilies. I'm near NY so I can't tell you where to shop locally but a nearby botanical garden may be able to suggest a place. There are also online places - I've used Pond Plants Online.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:49 PM on July 28, 2017
posted by sciencegeek at 2:49 PM on July 28, 2017
Oh and the way to pot up aquatics is to put them in a plastic tub with topsoil and then cover with gravel. Do not use potting soil or it willl float away. Potted this way you can basically drop them right in.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:51 PM on July 28, 2017
posted by sciencegeek at 2:51 PM on July 28, 2017
A pump and a Japanese Deer Scarer, in bamboo.
posted by Midnight Skulker at 3:15 PM on July 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Midnight Skulker at 3:15 PM on July 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
You can either submerge a basket with gravel / river stones / lava rock, or buy a floating plant basket, and put Irises in there - they love it!
If you ever wanted to grow mint, the mint is also exceedingly happy to have its feet in the water.
posted by ftm at 3:28 PM on July 28, 2017
If you ever wanted to grow mint, the mint is also exceedingly happy to have its feet in the water.
posted by ftm at 3:28 PM on July 28, 2017
Perhaps a people-centric water feature? Your description of the existing equipment sounds something like a small stream/pond where you could dangle your feet on a hot day. For me, this would require crystal clear water—no plant roots or slimy stuff on the river rock/shells/whatever line the bottom. Floating candles would be cool too, as long as they didn't crowd out the people.
If the water is moving, do you still need mosquito fish?
Lovely spot, btw. Too bad about the raccoons.
posted by she's not there at 3:02 AM on July 29, 2017
If the water is moving, do you still need mosquito fish?
Lovely spot, btw. Too bad about the raccoons.
posted by she's not there at 3:02 AM on July 29, 2017
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The mainenence is that the pump will die every 5 yrs, but that's a 10 min. swapout depending on how you run the electric cord.
posted by at at 2:41 PM on July 28, 2017 [1 favorite]