I believe it is absolutely essential for every home to have a pond. There are so many benefits a homeowner/gardener can receive from a pond.

1. Slow down and store storm water. Benefits the general public storm water systems downstream.

2. Mosquito control from fish (goldfish or otherwise). I do not feed my fish and just let them eat what lands in the pond.

3. Non-chlorinated water for general irrigation or water backup.

4. Aesthetics (mine could be prettier, working on it)

5. Learning opportunities for children.

6. Depending on how you build it, cost per gallon can be cheaper than rainwater collection tanks. (Mine was completely free)

7 months ago, I put up a rudimentary pond made from an old above ground pool to slow down and collect hurricane rains in an effort to hold off flooding adjacent to the house. Since then, I have realized the multitude of benefits and beauty that has come from the pond. I could go on and on, but I’ll make a separate post about different facets of #naturalponds.