So you want to install a water feature

If you're looking to do some DIY around the garden before the sun starts disappearing over the yardarm even earlier, why not consider installing a water feature?

This addition can spice up your garden landscape and won't be too difficult to install if you have the right tools.

Firstly, decide whether a fountain, waterfall, birdbath or rock pond is what you would like to see in your back garden.

Then decide where you will place it. Steer clear of areas too close to trees as the growing roots could cause issues in future as they seek out moisture.

However, you want to also avoid placing these items in areas where they will get too much sun as the smaller ecosystems they contain may be damaged by overexposure. If you have a fishpond, the fish might not survive due to a lack of oxygen and could even create unattractive algae blooms.

Here's what you need to do in order to create a beautiful outdoor water display.

Dig a hole

You may want to hire a dumper or a wheelbarrow to make this job easier. Make sure you have worked out your measurements ahead of time so you don't end up with a hole that is too big or too small for your purposes.

Lay the padding or pool liner

Pop this into the bottom of the hole. You may want to lay carpeting down first before the lining pad.

In order to complete this task, make sure you are following the contours of the hole so you are not left with bubbles anywhere.

Add the pump

If you are going to add a fountain to your display, this is when you will need to install your pump by routing the water line along the stone foundation location, while avoiding areas where heavy stones will sit.

Make sure your pump is positioned at the correct height and position rocks around its base to keep it from moving around.

If you are adding any other decorative rocks or features, this is the perfect time to add them in.

Fill in the hole

Get the hose ready and fill in the pond. Make sure that the underlayer and liner are settled in the right place and keep filling until you have reached the right level.

Complete the pond

The penultimate step is to arrange rocks around the outside of the pool in order to hide the underlayment and liner if they are poking out.

First, make sure you trim any excess liner and then add your water plants and stones around the edging.

Test your fountain

Finally everything is set to go. Just give your fountain a quick test to make sure it is running as expected and you're all done.