Where to place your garden pond:
You should first decide where you would like to put your garden pond. You may want to have the pond close to your house making it easily visible or you may want to have it further away as a separate visiting area. Either way, you should try to position the pond so that it will receive exposure to sunlight for at least half of the day. This will encourage growth and flowering of most plants, especially water lilies. Try to avoid overhanging trees when selecting a location for your garden pond. This will greatly reduce leaves and blossoms from falling in the pond. Willow, elder, oak, yew, poplars, and laburnum trees are highly toxic and should be avoided. You should also take into consideration electricity supply for pumps and filtration equipment. You should be aware that it can be quite costly to run electricity to a garden pond that is not near an electrical outlet.

Garden pond shape:
When choosing a garden pond, it is best to select a pond shape that allows the "natural" flow of water. Avoid garden ponds with a complex shape. This will reduce construction and installation difficulties. Try to spend some time creating the shape of the pond you desire. Use a rope or hose to create the shape in the area you intend to place your garden pond. If you want a stream or waterfall with your garden pond, it is best to keep it in proportion to the size of the pond.

Garden pond depth:
Larger fish will need a depth of at least three feet (91 cm) or more in the deepest part of the pond. Smaller fish will need a depth of at least eighteen inches (46 cm). Types of large fish include ghost carp and koi. Goldfish and sarasa comets are examples of smaller fish. At least 40% of the pond area should be at the maximum desired depth to help maintain a healthy and balanced pond. Generally, the deeper the pond is will result in a better pond balance. A garden pond that is properly balanced will reduce the likelihood of temperature fluctuations which can encourage algae growth and be harmful to the health of the fish.

Garden pond material:
A concrete garden pond can be very expensive. The foundation must be solid and reinforced to prevent cracking in case the subsoil shifts. Once the foundation is done, the pool must be painted with at least two coats of a purpose made pond paint. Pre-formed garden ponds are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Pre-formed ponds are made out of plastic or fiberglass. They are very popular because they are so durable and once installed they have a smooth surface without creases. The most cost effective way of creating a garden pond is using a flexible liner. They are available in many different sizes and give you the opportunity to create a pond of any shape. Once installed, avoid having any exposed liner showing above the water level because sunlight can slowly degrade it.

Before deciding on a garden pond, draw a sketch of a pond you would like, include measurements. Also before going to purchase a garden pond, write down all the materials you will need.