Creating my own natural swimming ponds is my profession, and this is the knowledge I've acquired throughout the process.
**Family's Natural Swimming Pond Transforms Garden into a Chemical-Free Oasis**
Sarah Murch and her family have transformed their five-acre garden into a chemical-free paradise with the addition of a natural swimming pond. The idea for the pond came to fruition when they purchased an old care home with land in 2008.
The 300 square meter swimming pond, located on the grassland, features two main zones: a deep swimming zone and a shallow regeneration zone. The regeneration zone, filled with aquatic plants and microorganisms, acts as a natural filter, maintaining clean, clear water suitable for swimming.
Islands of prairie planting along the side of the pool serve as a barrier to keep the water clean and catch leaf debris. Water mint (Mentha aquatica) grows in abundance along the edge of the pool, releasing its fresh scent. The beach area of the pool is made up of a 200mm sand layer, where children can play and dig.
An old millstone that belonged to Sarah's grandfather sits by the water's edge, with lights embedded into the surface. A grand formal rose garden with arches is located south of the pool. The outdoor dining area is situated to the side of the pool's sun deck.
The garden path leading to another avenue is lined with Malus 'Evereste' crab apples and underplanted with various flowers, including Molinia caerulea 'Edith Dudszus', Iris 'Flight of Butterflies', geums, Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', Digitalis purpurea, and various Lythrum salicaria cultivars.
A shelter belt of 300 trees, including Pinus wallichiana and Abies sibirica, has been planted to filter the prevailing wind and avoid leaf drop in the pool. The garden flows out from a network of connected paths, with each different part segueing into another.
Sarah Murch emphasizes the importance of not cutting back plants too early to avoid disturbing the ecosystem and wildlife. The family are keen swimmers and had always enjoyed wild swimming during holidays and trips, making the natural swimming pond the perfect addition to their garden.
Natural swimming ponds are designed as eco-friendly water bodies that combine swimming with the aesthetics and biodiversity benefits of a natural pond. They use biological filtration rather than chemicals to maintain clean, clear water safe for swimming. Engaging professionals experienced in natural swimming pond design is recommended for best results, especially if converting an existing pond.
The pond's location in the garden provides a unique vantage point to see pond life from the dining table. The plants in the regeneration zone require seasonal care, such as pruning dead material, controlling algae through natural means, and regular water circulation.
The benefits of a natural swimming pond in a family garden include safe, chemical-free swimming for all ages, enhanced biodiversity and natural beauty, a relaxing nature retreat integrated with your outdoor living space, and potentially lower running costs than traditional pools due to no need for chlorine and less mechanical filtration.
- The family's garden, now a chemical-free paradise, includes a natural swimming pond that was inspired by their purchase of an old care home with land in 2008.
- The swimming pond, featuring two main zones, also serves as a landscape design element, with islands of prairie planting acting as barriers and catching leaf debris.
- In addition to the swimming pond, the garden includes a grand formal rose garden, an outdoor dining area, and a shelter belt of trees to filter the wind.
- Embracing a lifestyle thatvalues nature, the Murch family chose to install a natural swimming pond, which not only provides a safe and chemical-free swimming option but also contributes to the garden's overall biodiversity and aesthetic appeal, making it a fusion of fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and gardening.
