With bowls, Boxes and buckets – The quick way to the water

Mini ponds are a summer treat for balcony owners, for all, who cannot decide on a large pond and, of course, for the impatient, who don't want to waste time.

Each vessel is suitable as a mini pond, it doesn't even have to be waterproof, because with a bet, Pond liner or silicone is quick and easy to seal. Small bowls look pretty with a floating plant or two, large tubs provide space for swamp- and aquatic plants or can become a water lily pond.

There is only one caveat: The water basins should be chosen in this way, that the water in it does not heat up too much and does not evaporate too quickly. That means, that dark vessels and small bowls with a large water surface are best placed in partial shade.

On hot days, all ponds have to be refilled with water frequently. Conversely, it is skimmed off, when the water level has risen significantly after heavy rain. During longer periods of rain, the parasol can also be used as protection.

Sensitive marsh also come for planting- and aquatic plants, that are overwintered in the house, because before the frost the mini-pond is emptied anyway and brought into the house.

Fiber cement boxes in all colors

1 Faserzement-Blumenkästen sind schön schlicht und leicht zu verwandeln. They can be easily painted with varnish or weather protection paint. Block drainage holes with a stone and silicone and paint the box inside and out.

2 Für Bodenprofil und damit verschiedene Wassertiefen sorgt die Kiesschüttung.

3 Auf dem Kies liegt ein Pflanzkorb aus Jute. The swamp zone is created in it.

4 Ein flacher Stein sorgt dafür, that the basket does not slip off. Now the rest of the floor is covered with gravel and the pond soil is filled into the basket. Normal garden soil is not suitable, because it is usually too rich in nutrients.

5 Um auch innerhalb der Sumpfzone verschiedene Pflanztiefen zu schaffen, partitions are used. Large shards of pottery and broken clay pots are ideal for this.

6 Nun können die Pflanzen eingesetzt werden. The cover of gravel prevents, that soil is washed away.

 

In a terracotta bucket, of course

Your- and terracotta vessels become watertight, if you rub them from the inside with liquid silicone. The transparent coating forms an elastic layer. Seal the water drainage holes with pebbles and silicone beforehand.

1 Verschiedene Pflanzzonen werden mit Reststücken alter Tontöpfe abgeteilt.

2 Die Topfscherben stehen gut, if the gaps are strewn with gravel. A disused coaster marks the deep water area. After planting, the soil is covered with gravel and larger stones.

Foil in a self-made wooden frame

This small wooden pond is made from residual wood. To do this, make four equally sized side parts and a base plate from strips and crossbars. So that no screw heads are visible, is screwed from the inside. Then place the sides on the floor support slats and connect the side parts with small angles. Now just insert the pond liner and nail it to the crossbars.