Design

• You can add a fountain pond to your landscaping made from a preformed plastic pond liner that you can purchase at your local landscape supply store. You also can create your own pond design with a roll of plastic liner that you can shape to fit any size or shape. Decide where you'd like to place your fountain pond and select the option that best fits your space. You'll need some type of material to hold the free-form liner in place; large stones create a natural looking pond design and slate tiles work for a sleek, modern design. You also can encircle the perimeter of your fountain pond with crystal boulders for a striking backyard fountain.
  
  

Materials

• In addition to the pond liner and stones, you'll need a shovel or a backhoe to dig the hole for your pond, depending on the size you select. The only other tools you'll need are a level for an even base and a pick to help you remove roots and buried rocks. You might wish to cover your fountain pump with chicken wire or a screen to prevent debris from clogging the mechanisms. You can find a fountain pump at your local landscape supply store or from online retailers. If you'd like to stack the slate tiles or connect the boulders around the perimeter of your pond, you can use waterproof adhesive such as Liquid Nail or thinset mortar.
  
  

Construction and Assembly

• Begin your pond construction by digging the hole to match the dimensions of your preformed liner or to fit the overall dimensions of your free-form design. The hole for the pond needs to be level, especially if you're using a preformed plastic liner. Your pond can be as shallow as 2 feet or as deep as you like. Deeper ponds might need a platform to place the pump so the fountain head can be raised to the top of the water line. You can use bricks or concrete blocks to elevate the pump. You also can use bricks or concrete blocks to build a frame around the pump so you can cover it with screen. Wrap the screen around the bricks to hold it in place. Consider using a solar fountain pump to avoid digging a trench for the electrical cord and to make a more eco-friendly fountain. It's not absolutely necessary to bury the cord, but it is a safer alternative to leaving it lying on top of the ground. Place the stones around the perimeter and fill the pond with water before turning on the pump.