Tread plates that appear to float above the water are a cool idea for garden pond design and a good alternative to bridges in shallow water. Visually, floating tread plates are much more interesting and modern. To avoid slipping accidents, these should be used in still or slowly flowing water. Ideally, the pond should not be deeper than 30 centimeters and the tread plates should be at least 2 to 5 centimeters higher than the water level. Read on to find out more about it!
Choose sturdy concrete or natural stone treads that won't break under your feet and can withstand the elements. Make sure they are flat and level. One easystructured surfaceprevents slipping on wet ground.
The construction of the “floating” tread plates inGarden pondis very simple. They are fixed with mortar on wide concrete or brick columns. These columns, on the other hand, stand on cement foundations for greater stability. The plates should be slightly larger than the columns. If pond liner is used, the cement foundation must be built in advance and the liner must be laid between two layers of suitable substrate. This way you can avoid damage to the pond liner caused by the columns.
A garden pond can be built above ground or in the ground. However, in a raised pond, the effect of floating tread plates cannot be created as successfully because the concrete columns are easy to notice.
Bright stepping stones and dark water - this is a popular contrast that can be seen in modern pond design. Dark gravel and black pond liner are used for this purpose. It would also be interesting if the water flowed smoothly from one pond to another, as shown in the example above.
Swimming pool and pond can be adjacent to each other and built on different levels. Unless you are breeding aquatic plants or fish in the pond, it should not be deeper than 20 - 30 centimeters.
Stepping stones can be made from slate, natural or artificial stone. They should be positioned close enough to be safe to step on. For example, 40 - 45 square centimeter panels should be installed at a distance of 25 centimeters.
Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough) tolerates colder temperatures well. It can also be submerged in a planter underwater. The “Green Goddes” variety produces white flowers with a green tinge and prefers shallow water less than 8 inches deep.
Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' is commonly called swamp iris. Has yellow flowers and can grow up to 2 meters high.
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon', also called colorful lizard tail, has red stems and aromatic yellow-red-green leaves. The plant prefers shallow water up to 5 cm deep and spreads quickly.
The roots of the white calla lily (Lysichiton camtschatcensis) grow deep downwards, so that the pond bottom layer should not be less than 30 cm.
The biennial water spike (Aponogeton distachyos) has fragrant white flowers and spreads quickly. Thrives well in cold water.
Nymphaea Water Lilies – Check labels for required depth. Some prefer 30 – 60 cm depth, others thrive in 20 cm of water. With its carmine red flowers, the Nymphaea 'Froebelii' is a real eye-catcher.
Hottonia palustris (water feather) is an easy-care plant with light green foliage and is particularly suitable as a transition between low and tall aquatic plants.
Lagarosiphon major, also known as African waterweed, is a fast-growing supplier of oxygen and can also cope well with low water temperatures.
Since many types of aquatic plants can spread very uncontrollably, it would make sense to first plant them in a pot and then sink it into the pond.
Water lighting in the pond can further emphasize the effect of floating stairs and looks particularly enchanting. The lights are reflected in the water and can also glow in different colors. Use a special pond substrate instead of potting soil and gravel as the top layer.
Water lighting can be not only incredibly decorative but also functional. This means there is no risk of falling into the pond at night.
Instead of recessed lights, you can also opt for LED strips and indirect water lighting. These can be mounted nicely along the edge of the pond or under the tread plates.
If your pond is narrow and not particularly large, you can also lay a single tread plate. This ensures easy access to the house.
Natural elements such as rocks in the pond can create a beautiful contrast to the clean lines of modern pond design. There are also artificial rocks on the market that look true to the original but are light in weight.
You can choose not only the material, but also the shape of the panels. Round, oval, square or rectangular…. the choice is yours.
Match the color and material of the tread plates to the house facade. Concrete appears cool and contemporary, while travertine has a Mediterranean character.
If you don't want to look into the dark water, you have another option - to line the water basin with colorful tiles. The perfect color is sky blue!
The water basin, which is located at ground level in the lawn, is particularly attractive. The crowns of the nearby trees are wonderfully reflected on the surface of the water.
If you are planning a water feature for the garden pond, be aware that wet tiles can pose a risk of slipping.
