May 04 2006
Frog Pond
Two weeks ago, Kris mentioned that it was time for a big outdoor project. We are enjoying cloudless days and premium temperatures, so I thought it was a great idea.
The Mission: Build a pond in our (tiny) backyard.
When Kris brought it up, I began to formulate a design in my mind. I drew up some rudimentary plans, and Kris did the math and the research. We wanted a raised pond (we did not want it to become a doggie swimming pool), and we wanted it to fit in with our bricked patio we built two summers ago. We decided on a rectangle frame, with a small sitting bench on the side, and a 4.5 foot pond that holds about 75 gallons of water.
So, we were off to the various hardware stores to gather our supplies…
With the wooden 2×4s to build the pond frame…
Kris whipped up the structural frame very quickly. (All while I was enjoying my festival Saturday!)
Next up, bricks and mortar. Thank goodness we had Jen to help us. She is a skilled brick mason.
That is 176 bricks. That is a lot to carry out of the store and load into a compact car.
Lolly the mortar mixer. Using those biceps.
I have a new appreciation for masonry. After trying my hand at it (with less-than-perfect results) I can say that this is hard work! We pulled out the level a million times, and I was always off. Here is the section I did.
Keep on bricking all day and some of the night, and what do you have? A very nice addition to the backyard!
We completed the brick with a nice wooden bench top, and set the pond liner. I placed some of my herbs (and strawberry plant!) on the side bench, and Kris put some small floating plants (mini-lily pads) into the pond. After the mortar is completely dry, we can spray wash the facade and get some of the white residue off of the bricks.
It is so rewarding to complete a do-it-yourself project! Kris did a great job really putting this together (He was much faster and better at the whole brick thing than I was!) and now all we need is a lotus blossom and some fishies! We are planning to put some small fish, like guppies, into the tank to combat any mosquito larvae problems.
More gardening (terra and aqua!), as well as some great crafts for this lovely green MAY month to come…
What a nice idea! I love the idea that you all came up with. You really did a nice job on the masonry.
Two days until the MD Sheep and Wool Festival!
XXOO
i love your little pond! way to go!
and nice to have you back, lolly
Fabulous!
I love it.
I need to go dig the leaves out of mine.
Lolly, That is beautiful. I’m thinking that I need to do something like that when I get a house! Absolutely brilliant!
that is the cutest little pond ever. i’m thinking though to avoid having too many mosquitos that maybe you should put a little pump in there to move the water around.
AHH lOVE THAT POND. this is absolutely my favorite month- GREEN….and by the way, you are looking so good, it’s not even funny, miss Lauren….
What a fantastic idea, Lolly and what a gorgeous result!! Congratulations! My husband and I used to be Home Depot regulars, when we owned an apt (now we rent) - we built our kitchen and bathroom from scratch and we loved it! I miss the smell of naked wood and mortar and the excitement of a new project! Oh, big cuddle to your doggies!
What a great DIY project! I’m sure you’ll be enjoying it (with pride) for many years to come!
Lolly,
I am so impressed with your pond. You and Chris did a great job and I know you will enjoy it.
When I saw the title of your post, I immediately thought “uh oh”. But that’s one Frog Pond I wouldn’t mind visiting. Great job!!
I’m so impressed! You need to have a DIY show!
you do not need to have anything in your pond except for minnows. they are like $0.30 at your local pet store (sometimes referred to as “feeder fish”). and they will eat any mosquito larva in the pond. they are great because you won’t have to feed them much, because they will be eating the bugs. little fishies are amazing that way…
by the way, i am really jealous, your pond looks fantastic… way to go!
You did a great job, both of you! It looks fantastic!!
Wow! I am so impressed that y’all built that yourselves. It looks wonderful. The frame alone is dazzling, and then all those bricks,… and I’m just in awe.
That is so cool! I love it and what a great addition to your yard.
What a great, great job! Wonderful addition to the back yard. How smart are you guys?!
Lolly,
That looks wonderful! I would love one like that in our yard but I think it would remind the little ones of a water table or pool, not so good.
I was walking on the trail behind my house yesterday and saw tons of little tadpoles in the stream. I love watching them grow into frogs so I am considering getting a couple and putting them in a container to watch.
looks wonderful! you guys did an amazing job, and my lord you’re fast.
ps you can send kris up here, I have a few jobs for him
Your pond looks great!!! We’re going to start laying a brick patio soon so it’s good to hear that other DIY-ers have had good expierences with the whole brick thing. Yeah for DIY-ers!
Great idea! Very impressive and I love the bench top idea. So pretty!
Wow! That’s a gorgeous pond! I’m so impressed. We’ve been talking about putting a pond in our backyard — but at the rate we’re going, I figure it’ll take about six more years until we actually go out and do it…
Now that is a creative look for a pond. You guys both did a fantastic job! Your right, our patios so look the same! I have photos I will post at a later time of my husband building me a garden in the back yard to plant vegetables in. Yes, I do love DIY projects!
Now that is a creative look for a pond. You guys both did a fantastic job! Your right, our patios so look the same! I have photos I will post at a later time of my husband building me a garden in the back yard to plant vegetables in. I love DIY projects!
Damn girl you are so talented and creative. I love it! Well worth yours and Kris’ hard work!
Very nice-just a perfect little pond!
What I want to know is was your bumper dragging with all those bricks in it?
You look fantastic Lolly!!!
WOW! You guys did a great job
Can’t wait to see your cute new fish!
I’m so impressed. La dee dah, let’s draw up some plans and do some brick work and it turns out looking wonderful. You make it look so effortless. Can’t wait to come and hang out near your pond! Now where else is Kris going to try to put a fish tank…?
Oh, that’s a nice looking pond. Now I have pond envy.
Holy smokes! That’s awesome!
Wow, I thought the bathroom paint job was impressive, but the pond is amazing! I would love to have the skills to do something like that. *applause applause*
Lolly, I am so impressed in what you guys get finished in a short period of time! I wish you good times outside enjoying your plants and your pond this summer!
Yay for you guys! What a beautiful space you’ve created!
you are sooooooo COOL! i lurve it!
Wow! What a great way to get into spring! It looks lovely!
That is the coolest thing! You too are so handy. Are you going to put fish in the pond?
That’s so cool!
OMG, I LOVE the pond! What a fun accent to add to your garden. Great design, too (I especially love the bench top)!
I am soooooooo impressed! That looks wonderful, and you have the added satisfaction of having done it yourself. Well done.
oh my gosh..I love it! what a cute idea!
and how cute do you guys look in your working-hard attire?
yay for completed (and super successful) do-it-yourself projects!
.♥.
Wow! You both are not afraid to try anything, are you? That is so great. It really came out wonderful!
So glad you’re back and all is well. It was disconcerting to not have Lolly around. You have been very busy with projects around your place. What a great way to celebrate Project Spectrum every month!
Wow! I am so impressed that you guys designed it, bought the supplies, and built the pond in such a short amount of time! We never finish things that quickly around here.
I don’t know if I should mention this or not… Once I made a little water garden in a large urn on my deck. I guess the urn was too small and the water heated up. It poached the fish.
Enjoy your beautiful pond! My daughter wants a pond and I showed her your pictures. She said it again “I want a pond.”
wow! love the little pond! and you guys did such a great job on it too. bob vila would be proud
Very cute pond!! Good job!
Will there be actually froggies in there? Or maybe some koi? You two are so industrious- it looks amazing.
that is really great. anything water related just seems so relaxing. maybe you will be doing some knitting (and reading!) by your pond?
Omigosh that is the sweetest little pond EVER! I am now thinking about where I could plant one on my big deck. Will be sending this link to the handy Brotherman ~ See you soon!
What a great idea….and it looks really good. What a great place to knit!
wow, I’m so impressed with all the great home improvement you guys are doing. And they always come out fabulous!
Wow - it looks great! What alot of hard work
WOW!!! DIY Pros ! You guys did a great job - that pond is just lovely!!
I love it! What a great idea. My track record with DIY projects suggests it would take me about a year to complete something like that.
Looks very professional. Great job!
I love your little pond!! Well done!
I always wanted a pond but I guess I need a backyard first, LOL!
Did you get the yarn yet?
Great job!! Looks like lots of work but lots of fun too and totally worth it.
Great job! It looks like a lovely addition to you yard. Every time I mention water features my husband gets scared. Maybe it’s because he’s far from handy.
hey look at you guys!!! Your pond looks great! Love the mini lily pads!
Holy wow, Lolly! That is absolutely fantastic! I don’t think we could do anything with water (due to the kids), but something like that would make a fabulous flowerbed. And I adore the bench around it.
oh my gosh! that is fantastic! Just beautiful!
I was wondering what happened to you
Glad you are back. I am really happy with Wordpress. I think you’ll like it.
oh wow lolly! that is just gorgeous.
i always find ponds are so relaxing to be around. make sure you share photos of your fishes with us when you get them.
That turned out great! Are you going to get some goldfish (Koi) to put in?
We always wanted one of those ponds but figured out we would fry the fish in the summer without additional aeration so….we didn’t.
Looks great. I am envious.
Such a cute pond! You and Kris are so talented to do all of this yourselves. Will you really have froggies in it, too? Or an air pump or something to circulate the water? And an air filter, too?
It will be so peaceful to see your fishies in the pond every morning or whenever you feed them.
Enjoy your little piece of heaven!
Great job, I’m so impressed!
that is an awesome pond! and you both did it together - how inspiring!
What a cool project! You guys are practically professional. Yay!
How great is that, Lolly? I want one too! LOL
Have you read my GREEN SPRING Poetry in my blog?
http://tricotine.blogspot.com/2006/05/violets.html#links
You are so inspiring!
Hi Lolly, That is a very awesome project. I can’t believe you did it one day!!
Great job on the pond! Very cool.
[...] In the green month of May, we built a pond in our back yard. Since then, we have established a container garden around the pond, and the whole family has been enjoying the new backyard nature sanctuary. [...]
[...] 05.06 : Second Maryland Sheep and Wool and construction work [...]
[...] …and you may recall our little pond project last year… [...]