Building a pond for your garden is not nearly as complicated as I first thought it might be. I built a pretty little pond in my front yard just off the front walk and next to the porch. Here, I could sit and enjoy the sights and sounds. And I did it in a weekend without ANY professional help! Here’s how to build a pond, and tips on easy maintenance as well.

 

How to Build a Pond in Your Backyard: DIY Pond Tutorial

Step One: Planning Your DIY Backyard Pond

Rough out the area the size you want your pond. A pond can be as large as you wish, but I chose to make mine approximately 4×8 feet. Check with your local code if you plan to place the pond in an unfenced area; some towns limit the depth of the pond if it is unfenced, usually to 12 inches, so that it’s not a drowning risk.

Decide if you just want a decorative pond, or a complete water garden with live plants and fish. I chose a decorative pond with a fountain feature, as I wanted an easy DIY pond and was a bit worried about the amount of maintenance required with a “live” pond. 

As long as you’re prepared that a water garden will require a deeper pond with more maintenance, it’s not a lot of extra work to learn how to build a pond with koi fish, live plants, or turtles.

Step Two: Digging Your DIY Backyard Pond

Once you have the pond shape marked with either paint, chalk or a spare hose laid out on the border, its time for the hard work! Dig! My original pond was 18 inches deep to allow for some goldfish my children wanted. Goldfish are tough as nails, but keeping up with the algae was tougher! 

When doing some repairs the following spring, I removed the fish and backfilled my pond until it was only 12 inches deep. Whatever you choose, excavate the pond to the desired depth and try to keep the sides as vertical as possible. This will make it easier to hide the liner later.

Lay some material in the bottom of the pond to cushion the liner against rocks, sticks, and other items likely to punch holes. Good low-budget ideas are newspaper, old carpet, or even sand.

Step Three: Measure, Place, and Cut Your Pond Liner 

Purchase a pond liner from your local supplier or discount store. Measure your pond depth x 2 and add to the length plus 2 feet – that is the length of your liner. Your pond depth x 2 added to the width plus 2 feet – that is the width of your liner. The extra 2 feet allows for fitting and cutting away of the excess.

Lay the liner over the pond and fit it into the bottom, fill halfway with water, and allow it to sit for several hours or overnight to settle the soil. Trim the liner to hang just 3- inches over the lip of the pond. Those few inches are important; it’s better to trim too little than too much, as you can always go back later and re-trim. If you are going to add a fountain pump, place it in the pond now.

Step Four: Cover the Pond Liner’s Edges

Now you want to hide the edges of the pond liner with rocks. Flagstone in my part of the country is pretty expensive, so I figured out a way to get the flagstone look for only $25. I picked up a case of slate floor tiles, and used a hammer to break them into pieces. 

I lay the slate over the lip of the pond with the broken side facing the pond center. Then I hid any smooth edges of the tiles with river rocks from my yard, simply layered on top of the slate. You can also use the local rocks to hide any excess pond liner as well. 

If you’re adding one to your pond, plug in your fountain pump, and set it onto a brick to achieve the right height if necessary. Make sure you have a GFI outlet to plug into; if not, consider a solar pump.

Step Five: Add Plants and Other Finishing Touches 

Add plants and accessories around the pond to make it a welcoming place for all your visitors! Be sure there is seating nearby. A birdfeeder in the nearby trees will ensure a steady supply of feathered friends to enjoy your pond oasis! 

See, you can build a pond without breaking the bank or needing a professional to help you! It really only takes a weekend, and it’s such a tranquil, beautiful addition to my yard. Highly recommend!

The first two photos in this tutorial were from ‘EHow‘, this one is my actual finished pond.

How to Make a Pond DIY in Your Backyard: FAQs

How deep should your backyard pond be?

For a small decorative pond without fish, 12–18 inches is usually deep enough. If you want to add some fishies, aim for at least 18 inches deep, or deeper (around 3 feet) for koi. In colder climates, deeper ponds (3 to 4 feet) help prevent the water from freezing solid in winter, giving fish a safe zone below the ice.

It’s also a good idea to include different depths in your pond, like shallow shelves (6–12 inches) for marginal plants and deeper zones for fish. These layers create a more natural ecosystem and support better water balance.

Can you just dig a hole and make a pond?

Technically, yes, but it won’t last long without proper preparation! The water will seep out, and the unstable walls might collapse over time. Most DIY backyard ponds need a flexible pond liner like we used, or a preformed shell to hold water. 

Proper edging, filtration, and circulation are also important. Without these, you may end up with muddy water, way too much algae, and structural issues. 

Do I need a permit to dig a pond in my backyard?

It depends on where you live and the size of the pond.

Small, decorative backyard ponds don’t usually require permits. Larger ponds, ponds with electrical components (like pumps and lighting), or ponds that alter drainage patterns may require approval from your local municipality.

If you’re part of an HOA, you should also review their rules before starting. Always check with your city or county building department to confirm requirements, especially if you’re using excavation equipment or making big landscaping changes.

Should a pond be in sun or shade?

A balanced mix of sun and shade is perfect.

Most aquatic plants need about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive, but full-day sun can lead to too much algae growth, especially if you’re in a warmer climate. Too much shade can limit plant growth and reduce the pond’s natural filtration.

If possible, place your pond where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Adding floating plants like water lilies can also help shade the water naturally and reduce algae growth.

How do I keep my DIY backyard pond clean?

It’s all about balance and maintenance, starting with proper filtration and circulation. A pump and biological filter help remove debris and support beneficial bacteria that break down waste. Adding aquatic plants also helps absorb excess nutrients that would otherwise feed algae.

Skim leaves and debris regularly, avoid overfeeding fish, perform partial water changes as needed, clean filters according to manufacturer guidelines, and use beneficial bacteria treatments from time to time. 

Grab a Shovel and Make Your Own DIY Backyard Pond! 

Ok, time to build a pond in your backyard, right? We think you will also want to check out our post on Perfect Pond Plants and Easy DIY Container Water Gardens!

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