Pebbles are great for beautifying your backyard pond and helping the pond to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Placing pebbles in and around your pond also helps to hide the pond liner and keep the pond water cleaner.
In this article I’ll discuss which pebbles are best for backyard ponds and share some more benefits of adding pebbles to your pond.
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You can add pebbles to the base of your pond, around the edge of the pond or use them in a small shallow section to create a pebble beach where frogs, lizards and other wildlife can enter and exit the pond.
BENEFITS OF PEBBLES FOR PONDS
Protecting the pond liner
One of the benefits of using pebbles in your pond is that they can help to protect the pond liner.
The pebbles act as a barrier between the liner and any sharp rocks or branches that might puncture it.
Another benefit of using pebbles in your pond is that they can help to block the harsh UV rays from the sun. This will extend the life of your pond liner.
Small pebbles with smooth edges are ideal for concealing the pond liner and helping the pond to blend into the surrounding area.
Pebbles also weigh down the pond liner.
Habitat for fish
Pebbles help to create an ideal habitat for many different types of pond fish, by mimicking the natural environment and giving them places to seek shelter and rest.
Pebbles placed on the bottom of the pond can be used to keep pond plants in place which will provide shade for the fish.
Keeps the water clean
Pond pebbles help to trap sediment and keep it from floating around in the water.
Pebbles also provide plenty of surface area for beneficial pond bacteria to grow.
The friendly bacteria helps to break down algae in the pond, keeping the water clean and clear and reducing the likelihood of algal blooms.
What size pebbles should I use in my pond?
The ideal pebble size for backyard ponds is one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in diameter.
Pebbles this size can be added to the bottom of the pond without damaging the liner and they’re large enough to trap the sediment in the water but not small enough to become compacted like gravel.
What shape of pebbles should I use in my pond?
Pond pebbles should be round or oval with smooth edges.
Avoid using any pebbles with sharp, jagged edges because they could damage your pond liner.
What color pebbles should I use in my pond?
When it comes to color, you have a few options. You can choose pebbles that are all one color or you can mix and match a few different colors.
If your pond is situated in full sun you might want to avoid using black pebbles because they absorb more of the sun’s rays, making the pond water warmer.
Where can I buy pebbles?
You can buy pebbles in bulk from landscaping suppliers or rock and soil suppliers.
If you only need a small amount of pebbles you can buy them from garden centers, nurseries or from Amazon.
If you’re using pebbles that you’ve collected yourself, make sure that you hose them off thoroughly or wash them in a bucket before adding them to the pond.
RELATED ARTICLES
So there are my tips for adding pebbles to a pond.
If you’re looking for ways to make your pond more attractive and the water healthier, adding pebbles is a great idea.
Do you have pebbles in your garden pond? Let me know in the comments below.
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards dedicated to Garden Ponds and Pond Designs that you may find interesting.
