How much would backyard landscaping cost?

4/2/2015 at 12:03:36 AM

Garden ponds can be very expensive, but they need not be. A 1000-gallon (3800-liter) garden pond with fish, plants and a waterfall (and not requiring a biological filter) can cost as little as $300 or as much as $5000. It all depends on what you want and how much of it you are willing to do yourself. In my experience, I have seen just as many superb garden ponds at the low end of the price range as at the high end.

Let's consider the low end. First, we will assume a basic 1000-gallon design. Using a standard kidney shape, the hole might be 15 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 2 feet deep (4.6 meters by 2.1 meters by 0.6 meter). You can dig it yourself. Hiring a backhoe might run $50 dollars an hour.

Next there is the liner. The liner for this size pond should be 21 feet by 13 feet (6.4 by 4 meters). Depending on the material you select and the dealer's markup, this can cost anywhere between $70 and $300.

If possible, you can collect stones to edge the pond from building sites - the price is your time and energy. Some construction outfits will gladly use your yard for a rock dump if you ask. Alternatively, you can purchase stones from a quarry supplier. This can cost several hundred dollars.

The pump to power the waterfall will cost between $50 and $150

Lastly there are the fish and plants. Purchasing water plants can be expensive, sometimes $50 or more for a special variety waterlily. I always tell beginners to start with the least expensive plants they can find. These are usually around $20 for waterlilies and $5 for iris. Once you've learned how not to kill them, you can move up to higher-priced plants.

The price of nice-quality young koi will shock you. Even marine hobbyists will suffer from sticker shock. I have seen quality yearlings priced near $1000. Not for me!

You can get koi with good colors and nice shapes for far less if you check with local koi clubs. Members always have fish for sale. Even spending $100 for an average specimen is considered inexpensive.

So my answe to your question with a pond, anywhere from 3 to 4 thousand depending on pond and contractor.

I hope this answers some what of your question.

Thanks,

Waylan