Ponds
Ponds are a lovely addition to a garden and can be successfully kept in most climates as long as you plan in advance and choose the right species. It is usually not a good idea to place a pond under trees or bushes since plant debris can make the levels of organic waste spike, especially if the pond is small. Leaves and other types of plant litter can also clog pond filters and pumps. The two most commonly kept pond fishes are goldfish and koi. Goldfish is generally safe for planted ponds, while koi likes to eat plants. There are however a few species of plant that are known to co-exist well with koi fish, so choosing koi for your pond doesn’t preclude having it planted. Koi fish are not recommended for ponds smaller than 1000 gallons (3800 litres) and shallower than three feet (90 metres) since they grow quite big as adults. Goldfish on the other hand can be kept in ponds no deeper than two feet (60 cm), provided that you don’t plan to let them stay outside during the winter. Goldfish need at least 12-16 inches (30-40 centimetres) of water below the freeze zone to survive the winter in cold climates unless you fit the pool with heaters, aerators, etc.
