A pond takes quite a bit of construction and isn’t easy to alter once it’s in place, so think well before you dig. Choose a style that matches the area in your garden where you want to put it: a formal pond looks good in a formal area, but not in a wild corner, and vice versa. Think about the maintenance a pond will need - a small pond with plants and fish needs nearly as much upkeep as a flowerbed of the same size. And don’t forget safety….. if you have small children, instead of a pond, maybe you should consider a bog garden or a wall fountain which have no standing water. Even shallow water isn’t free from danger.

Having dug the basic hole for your pond (use a hosepipe to outline the shape you want) line it with a smooth layer of newspapers, sand or old carpet to prevent the plastic liner being punctured. Lay the liner in the hole but don’t stretch it too tight - you need to leave room for it to expand. Make sure the liner is large enough to overlap the edges and weigh it down. The edges can be covered with turf to soften the appearance. Add a further layer of sand or soil over the liner once you have laid it to prevent it from being broken down by sunlight. Fill the pond with water and let is stand for a couple of days before stocking it to allow any chlorine in the water to dissipate.

You’ll be surprised just how quickly insects, frogs and plants colonise your new pond. A bucket of water from an established pond will help to boost the wildlife of your own more quickly. Try and have a mixture of submerged, floating and emergent plants, those that are rooted in water but whole foliage extends into the air.

In the early years, blanket weed can cover ponds in warm weather. This can be pulled out carefully but once the pond has settled down, blanket weed will usually be kept in check by the pond animals. Other plants can also threaten to take over and need to be cleared out but don’t remove more than one-third of any species in a year as the pond creatures need them. You’ll cause the least disturbance to most pond animals if you only remove the plants in the winter months. Keep the water level up and, in the winter, try to keep a hole open for the frogs and to allow birds to wash and drink. A tub of hot water placed on the ice will melt a hole.