It's spring and you are looking for a new and exciting hobby? Something you can enjoy in your own backyard? Why not make your yard a centerpiece for beauty and enjoyment by installing a pond? Once completed the pond will be a source of great pride and an attractive means of relaxation and enjoyment.

This hobby has been around since 2000 B.C. The Egyptians were among some of the earliest pond builders. Also, around that same time, the Orient was a mecca of water gardening and fountain building. These ancient societies were pioneers in creating some of the most beautiful gardens and are the reason water gardening continues to be so prevalent in the world today.

Today, it is no longer a hobby for the rich and famous. A pond can go almost anywhere and be of any size from a 20 gallon whiskey barrel to a 10' x 10' setting. Ponds are now popping up everywhere.

When you decide that this might be a hobby you want to experiment with, you will need to do some preparation for your new adventure. First things first, you need to select a location to set up your pond. This is by far the most important step in the beginning. You need to decide if the pond is going to be the focal point of your yard or is it going to be a hidden oasis, away from the rest of the world.

When selecting the location for a pond, you should avoid being in close proximity of trees. Fallen leaves decay quickly in water, threatening your fish by damaging water chemistry as well as clogging your filters. Unless you plan on skimming the pond everyday, avoid putting it amongst trees.

If you are going to plant your pond with flowers such as water lilies, depth is recommend for such plants. Also where winter can be rough, deeper is better. By creating a deeper pond, this allows you to winter your fish outdoors. If your pond is too shallow, you will have to bring your fish indoors during winter, thus necessitating a large aquarium in your home. Also, be certain to check local ordinances. Bodies of water beyond a certain depth may require to be fenced in.

Soil quality is another consideration to help decide location of your new pond. Soil rich and firm is necessary to prevent cave-in or distortion in the shape of your new pond. Soil that is too wet or sandy, or soil that does not drain well will wreak havoc on the form of your new water garden.

For those that plan on planting the new water garden, sunlight is a requirement. Ideally, an area with six hours of sun per day is best for plants. However, you must not select a spot that is over-exposed to sunlight. Over exposure can cause an abundance of free-floating green algae, resulting in reduced oxygen levels for pond fish. Excess sunlight can also overheat the water, again causing problems for fish.

If you select a location in a grassy area, be certain that you have an area of at least 12 feet between your pond and any grass. This is important to prevent contamination of your pond from fertilizer and weed killer dust. As well as keeping grass clippings from finding their way into the pond.

Finally, you need to figure out how you are going to provide electricity and water for your pond. The best way to ensure reliability and safety is to consult with a licensed electrician. You may need to install additional electrical outlets to run the accessories for your pond. Ready access to water is also required, as you will be filling your pond with tap water. Also, from time to time, you may need to replace water lost to evaporation.

We have discussed the main requirements and aspects of selecting the location of your pond. My next featured article we will discuss the types of pond liners available for creating your new water garden.