Should I Put My Pond In The Sun Or The Shade?

Well... like most things in life, this is a package deal. Both sun and shade have their advantages. If properly designed and built, you can put a pond just about anywhere and have a lush, gorgeous ecosystem pond. The major factor here is as stated above: Properly Designed and Built. Below we list several factor to help in the decision making process of "should I put my pond in the sun or shade".

Where should I put my Oklahoma pond, in the sun or shade?

If I put my pond in the sun?
If you put your pond in the sun, you will have lots of great color from blooms! Your water lilies will thrive and smile at you in the form of gorgeous flowers. There are a lot of great sun-loving aquatic plants that will fill your pond with color given enough sunshine.
 
The downside to putting your pond in the sun is that algae also loves sunshine. So, during the time of year when the aquatic plants are not growing aggressively, you may experience more algae in the pond. Algae is simply the weed in the garden that is not temperature sensitive.

Here are a few design considerations for Oklahoma ponds in full sun:

• Use plenty of aquatic plants that won't burn in full sun and provide shade for the fish
• Keep your filter running and water circulating all the time to keep the water well aerated and cool
• Fish caves built into the pond to provide protection from flying predators.  

If I put my pond in the shade?
If you put your pond in the shade, you will greatly decrease the potential for algae, as well as provide overhead cover against flying predators that would see the pond as a meal source. 

The downside to putting your pond in the shade is that you will have fewer colorful blooms on your water lilies and other aquatic plants. In addition, you will have fewer varieties of terrestrial plants to choose from.

• Here are a few design considerations for Oklahoma ponds in the shade:
• Use aquatic plants that require less sunshine to thrive, this includes water lilies
• Keep your filter running and water circulating all the time to keep up with tree debris
• Beware of bird poo everywhere, as the overhanging tree will be a magnet for birds of all kinds
• Knowing that tree roots might eventually invade the pond.​​

Now you should have enough information to make an educated informed decision on where you want to put your pond. In the SUN or in the SHADE!

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