Natural gardens are all the rage right now, with trending garden designs including wildflowers, natural materials, and features that are wildlife friendly. The goal of today’s gardener is to recreate a stunning natural space that is as wonderful to humankind as it is to the animals and insects that visit your garden.

For those with larger garden spaces, this can even include adding a pond. Ponds are wonderful ecosystems and add so much to your space. They are beautiful to behold, they add evocative soundscapes and they can help local wildlife. There are so many reasons to add a pond to your garden, so use this guide to help you decide whether or not you should add a pond to your garden:

Do You Enjoy the Sound, Sight, or Feel of Water?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is if a pond or other water feature is necessary for your garden space. If you find yourself drawn to water, then go for it. There are always ways to add water to your garden, big or small. If you have a small garden, you can enjoy the sound of running water by adding a waterfall or water blade. If you love the idea of sitting next to your own pond and watching life underneath the surface, then a larger, more natural pond is just the right thing for you.

Do You Have the Space for a Pond?

Ponds tend to be big, especially if you want to add fish or other aquatic life into the mix. Koi fish, for example, need at least 1000 liters per koi to be comfortable and happy. For most, a pond this large just is not feasible, but that does not mean that you cannot have one.

Small ponds are also great to add, the only difference is that you may not be able to add fish or other aquatic plant life. Regardless of the space that you have, chances are you can absolutely find a water feature or pond solution that will work for your space.

Are You Ready to Take Up Your Pond as a Hobby?

There are many, many ways you can make pond maintenance easy. A great pond filter from water-garden.co.uk, as well as a waterfall feature, can keep your pond clear and healthy. The right aquatic plants can also work to balance your pond naturally, and there are several species of pond fish that can work to clear out algae and keep the pond’s ecosystem balanced. That being said, there is still a lot of work to be done to keep that ecosystem stable.

That is why you need to be ready to take on your pond as a hobby. If you are not ready or inclined to treat your pond the same way you do the rest of your garden, that is okay! You might be better suited to a water blade or other closed-loop water feature that requires a clean once in a while, but other than that is more an art feature than an ecosystem.