Here’s a question I didn’t expect to be asking during this week’s heatwave: can a pond cool a garden down?
I was browsing for simple ways to keep a patio cool during a heatwave in light of this week’s very real red weather warning, and water features were among the expert suggestions. I’d actually been considering adding a pond to my garden, so I had to know if they really can cool a garden down.
I checked in with a few other experts to find out just how much truth is in the claim.
What you'll need
This 120-litre preformed pond liner makes life a lot easier when it comes to installing a garden pond.
A solar-powered fountain pump is an eco-friendly way to create movement in a garden pond.
A pond aerator is another smart way to create moving water, and this one is ultra quiet.
You don’t usually read about garden pond ideas that cool a garden down, but this week’s heatwave has seen them emerge as a brand-new hot weather solution. Can a pond really cool a garden down, though?
‘Keeping gardens cool during a heatwave isn’t just about shade and materials, as airflow and water can also make a big difference in helping outdoor spaces feel fresher and more comfortable during periods of hot weather,’ says Tom Douglas, senior gardening buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
Shop ready-made ponds
‘Water features such as small fountains and birdbaths can help naturally cool the surrounding area through evaporative cooling.’
Ponds are fantastic wildlife garden ideas anyway, so it’s never a bad idea to consider building one. You can either dig a hole in the ground for one (a preformed pond like this one from B&Q is ideal), or build a mini bucket pond using an old galvanised bucket or container.
To maximise a pond’s cooling effects, you’ll need to know where to position it.
‘If you want to use a pond to cool down part of your garden, it is best to position it in partial shade in an open and slightly elevated area,’ advises Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture. ‘The area should also have some kind of air circulation, as this aids water evaporation to cool the surrounding areas.’
To boost the rate of evaporation from the pond with moving water, Richard recommends adding a fountain like this best-selling solar-powered fountain pump from Amazon.
‘If you have garden seating, placing the pond in proximity to this can allow you to take advantage of its cooling effects,’ Richard adds.
So, a pond really can cool a garden down! Duly noted...
