"I love "all things water," and I was thrilled to read the most comprehensive book on designing and building natural ponds. Pavlis has provided detailed, step-by-step instructions about all aspects of ponds. He even discusses large dams, rain gardens, bog gardens, maintenance and much more. What intrigued me was ways to build ponds that did not require any pumps or filtration, and could be set up by anyone with basic skills in shaping soil, placing stone and planting. A must-read for the garden enthusiast and designer."
— Dr. Ross Mars, Permaculture Elder and author, The Permaculture Transition Manual and The Basics of Permaculture Design

"I've never put in a pond, but after reading Robert Pavlis' Building Natural Ponds, I am confident that I could do it. And, after reading the book, I will! The book is very thorough, with guidance for every step from planning to digging to stocking with fish to planting to...well, everything you need to know."
— Lee Reich, PhD, author, The Pruning Book, Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden and Landscaping with Fruit www.leereich.com

"Build your own "golden pond" with this complete, authoritative and wonderfully illustrated guide. Robert Pavlis has a knack for making a complex, natural ecosystem seem both straightforward and accessible. Building Natural Ponds is the perfect book for anyone who wants a pond, or is eager to improve the one they already have by making it a healthy, functioning ecosystem without any pumps, pipes, chemicals — or algae. From small ponds to large, with a plethora of plant options and covering everything from planning and designing to construction, Building Natural Ponds covers it all. Pavlis is just the right person to lead us to some water in our backyards or on our homesteads."
— John D. Ivanko, co-author, Rural Renaissance and ECOpreneuring

"There are many reasons to add a water feature to the landscape. Whether it's a tranquil stone lined goldfish pool, or a larger pond for swimming, fishing and irrigation, a pond can greatly increase the biodiversity and beauty of a landscape. They can help manage storm water and provide harvests of food and craft materials. Building Natural Ponds is a detailed guide to planning, designing and building ponds, enhancing both your landscape and your life with open water."
— Darrell E. Frey, Three Sisters Farm, author, Bioshelter Market Garden and The Food Forest Handbook

"I've always warned gardeners that a pond, however wonderful for its contribution, will be the most maintenance-demanding aspect of the landscape. The dream is to create a balanced miniature ecosystem in which you don't need massive pumps and filters — after all, there aren't any such machines in a natural pond. How can that dream be realized? With nature's help, Robert Pavlis shows us how."
— Ken Druse, award-winning author www.KenDruse.com

"As someone who has struggled with an assortment of pond challenges over the past 15 years, I can say with certainty that this is the book that every pond owner or wanna-be needs to read. It's always wonderful to come across an author who, like me, ignored all the people who said something couldn't be done — and learned how to do it."
— Deborah Niemann, author, Homegrown and Handmade, Ecothrifty, and Raising Goats Naturally

Robert Pavlis , a Master Gardener with 40 years of gardening experience, is owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden featuring over 2,500 varieties of plants. A popular and well-respected speaker and teacher, Robert has published articles in Mother Earth News , Ontario Gardening magazine, a monthly Plant of the Month column for the Ontario Rock Garden Society website, and local newspapers. He is also the author of widely read blog GardenMyths.com, which explodes common gardening myths, and GardenFundamentals.com, which provides gardening and garden design information.

Introduction

1. Understanding a Balanced Ecosystem
Oxygen Cycle
Nutrients
pH
Algae
Animals
Trees and Shrubs
Plants
Microbes
Maintaining Balance in the Ecosystem

2. Environmental Benefits
Pond Ecosystem
Breeding Site for Amphibians
Dragonflies and Mosquitoes
Birds and Mammals
Water Conservation
Environmental Awareness
Less Lawn
Permaculture Food Sources

3. Natural Looking Designs
Native Ponds
Man-made Ponds
How Natural Can You Get?
The Borrowed View
Enjoy the Pond
Stones, Stones, and More Stones
Plants Are Key
Your Final Design

4. Planning and Design
Location
Legal Issues
Access to Electrical Power
Size
Depth
Water Source
Bogs and Rain Gardens
Trees
Pond Liners
Human Access
Rocks
Shape of the Pond and Planting Shelves
Plants
Excavated Soil

5. Building
Site Evaluation
Soil Type
Installing a Preformed Pond
Flexible Pond Liners
Digging the Hole for a Flexible Liner
Preparing the Hole
Installing the Pond Liner
Footings for a Dock or Bridge
Adding Water
Protecting Planting Shelves
Stones for the Planting Shelf
Leveling the Pond Edge
Adding the Spillway
Allowing for Inflow
Edging the Pond
Adding the Finishing Touches

6. Fish
Fish Care
Hobby Fish
Game Fish

7. Plants
Planting
Fertilizing
Starting Small
Too Many Plants
Plant Pests and Diseases
Undesirable Pond Plants
Selection of Water Plants
Workhorse Water Plants

8. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Don't Do These Things
Adding Water
Removing Organics
Winter Care
Pond Leaks

9. Large-scale Ponds
Special Pond Types
Regulations and Permits
Water Sources
Liner Options
General Construction Considerations
Aerators and Fountains
Constructing Dams
Designing the Inflow
Designing the Outflow
Plants
Eutrophication

10. Pools, Bogs, and Rain Gardens
Natural Swimming Pools
Bogs
Rain Gardens

References
Index
About the Author
A Note About the Publisher