Koi Pond in a Water Garden

The water garden is becoming an increasingly popular feature in homes today. For some, it will be a well placed garden feature such as a small wildlife pond, for others a full size koi pond with the appropriate filter system.

Every water garden is different, each one incorporating special features and ideas. A wildlife pond will probably be situated in a shady, damp corner of the garden, while a koi pond may be well best positioned where you can see the fish swimming around in it.

But whatever the size, type or location of a pond, it must be designed around certain criteria. The availability of garden space or the types of fish to be kept in the pond are just two examples. People who keep koi in their ponds must provide the best possible conditions for them, so that they remain healthy and their owners can enjoy them at their best all year round.

How to design a koi pond? Installing a koi pond in a garden is a large and costly step, and there are many points to consider when designing such a pond as part of your water garden. Koi pond design has developed rapidly over the last few years and new ideas continue to come along on a regular basis.

Give careful thought to choosing the effect you wish to create and how to achieve it. Mistakes can be expensive to put right and time spent at the planning stage will pay dividends in the long run.

A koi pond can become the centerpiece of a garden or be an integral part of it, blending into the landscape. Much will depend on the land and the koi you intend to keep. Bear in mind that in good conditions, koi can grow to 75cm or 30in or more and when well fed, often outgrow their pond after a few years.

Large filter systems are therefore essential and, whether placed in or above the ground, will take up further garden space. There are some concepts that should be designed into every koi pond to ensure that it runs efficiently.