07/07/2025
Learning new skills on the homestead is a mix of excitement, overwhelm, and even terror sometimes. Especially when the investment is great and the risk of failure is high. Queue in our newest undertaking: constructing a natural pond….
We’ve been thinking about a pond for quite some time now… but after the well debacle (where we drilled 3 dry holes and ended up having to bury water lines from the old well 1/4 mile up 100 feet of elevation) we started getting serious about water security.
Earlier this year we took a Permaculture Pond masterclass with where we learned about siting, designing, building and maintaining ponds in a way that is more regenerative (all of the water comes from runoff as opposed to filling it from the well) and ultimately less work to maintain.
Our goal is to have water security for our farmstead… but we also love the idea of enjoying the pond - there’s just something about being in and around water that immediately makes us feel better. The pond will also be a great resource for wildlife. I can’t wait to see and hear all the frogs!
Today was the first day we had the excavator (we rented one for the week) and of course it rained all day. Bill did get some practice in digging our diversion swale (which the berm will eventually become the new road) to help convey runoff from the pasture to the pond. It’s crazy how much quicker big machinery can get work done!
Exited to be making progress. But still super nervous about digging the actual pond. Eek!
What questions do you have for us about the pond? Drop them in the comments!
