Many of us have appreciated the serenity of a backyard pond at some point. A pond can create an exotic landscape that is both relazing and calming. Your family and friends will derive great pleasure from a backyard pond that is the focal point of your landscaping. But did you know that a pond in your garden can also benefit local wildlife?

Many species of fauna may enjoy the benefits that your pond will provide depending on where you live. Birds and butterflies, fish and frogs, turtles, bugs and snails will all gain from access to your pond. By attracting this type of wildlife, you can add to the enjoyment that your pond will bring you.

Humans Love Ponds Too

If you expand the term “local wildlife” to include your family and friends, you’ll see that there are many benefits to creating a pond in your garden. Scientific studies have shown that there are benefits to one’s physical wellbeing by practicint relaxation techniques and practicing relaxation techniques, and spending time by a backyard pond and listening to the trickle of water is certainly a relaxing experience. If you are feeling stressed, spending time by your backyard pond can have a truly calming effect and change your mood.

Backyard ponds can create beauty in your life. They can be almost anything you want them to be: an exciting science experiment, a place for relaxation and reflection, a way to educate your children about an ecosystem, or a unique garden feature.

Pond Pets

Backyard ponds can even provide an environment for special pets. Koi are very popular pets, and they adapt well to life in a backyard pond. Koi are a part of the carp family and can grow to 3 feet. Koi are known to live up to 30 years – or longer – so do not introduce koi to your pond unless you are prepared to care for them on a long-term basis.

However, if you can make the commitment to care for your koi, they can add to the relaxation and tranquility of your pond. Watching your fish swim and explore their pond is a magical exerience.

Getting Started With Backyard Pond Design

Due to the popularity of backyard ponds, you will find pond kits in nearly any garden center or superstore and you’ll find easy instructions to build a backyard pond here. If you would prefer to have a professional handle the installation, many landscaping firms should be able to help and by grabbing a copy of “How To Build Your Own Garden Pond” you’ll be well equipped to discuss your pond requirements.

Image via WikipediaPerhaps one of the reasons you bought your property is that it had a pond.  Investing in property with water is always a wise investment, as water is more precious than oil or gold in survival.  Backyard ponds can be fun for the whole family, if you take the time to maintain your pond.

First Off

The water in backyard ponds can’t be kept still.  This will kill off any valuable nutrients in the water and encourage the growth of algae slime and biting insects.  By keeping the water moving, even for half the day, you can keep the water from becoming a nursery for insects and green slime.  Stagnant water also tends to have an offensive stench to it which moving water does not.

Naturally, the water in backyard ponds are kept moving because they are connected to an underground or above ground creek, stream or river.  But because of overdevelopment and human overpopulation, the odds are that many backyard ponds have been cut off from their lifeline.  You need to revive your pond again by installing a filter and pump to keep the water moving.  There are even solar powered pond filters available!

You also need to be sure that the water in your backyard ponds are not getting too much sunlight or nutrients which can unbalance the chemistry of the water and make it nasty.  If there are many trees or plants dropping leaves into the water, consider trimming back the plants.  If too much sun is the problem, you can get a tarp to cover the pond from the worst of the sun and take it off at night.

Let The Games Begin

Now that the water is healthy, here are some game games you can play with backyard ponds:

The Duck Pond Game:  Get a whole bunch of rubber ducks or floating bathtub toys and mark the bottom so you can tell them apart.  Everyone chooses a duck/toy.  Gather them up at one end of the pond and let them go!  The first duck to get to the other side wins.

Duck Bingo:  This is with real ducks.  You can’t touch the ducks.  You section the land around the pond of into a bingo grid.  If the real duck poops in your pre-picked square, you’ve won.

As The Pond Water Turns:  You go sit and watch the activity around backyard ponds.  You pretend it’s a soap opera and make up impossible situations suggested by any plant, ripple or wildlife activity on the pond.  Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!