Building Your Own Natural Swimming Pool: Expert Tips from Sarah Murch
5 practical design strategies for establishing a biomimetic pool in your backyard landscape
Fancy creating your own natural swimming pool? Here's a lowdown on five top tips from swimming pond designer Sarah Murch to help you get started.
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Sarah Murch and her family have been enjoying the benefits of a 25m long and 5m wide natural swimming pool at their home, Ellicar Gardens near Doncaster, for 15 years. Featuring plants like Cyperus longus and Nymphaea 'Virginalis', this organic swimming pool proves; natural pools are not only charming but also eco-friendly.
Before deciding on the location for their pool, Sarah and her husband Will spent two years clearing and surveying the land. Post that, they trained with Biotop, Austria's leading professional swimming pond installer, in 2009, and now run Ellicar as a family business, offering custom natural swimming pool solutions for private clients.
So, what should you keep in mind before creating a new natural swimming pool? Here's Sarah's advice:
- Avoid the Greenery: Trees are beautiful, but not too close to the pool. Leaves and other debris can negatively impact the pool’s water biology.
- Watch the Landscape: Evaluate the land's topography and drainage patterns. Ensure that no surface runoff water drains into the pool as it can disrupt the water balance.
- Easy Access: Good access is essential for routine maintenance tasks. Plan the pool layout keeping ease of access in mind.
- Two Zones Rule: Divide the pool into two distinct zones. A deeper swim zone and a shallow regeneration zone filled with aquatic plants for effective filtration.
- Choose Your Plants Wisely: Use a mix of water-purifying aquatic plants like reeds, water lilies, and Cyperus longus for efficient natural filtration.
Follow these tips, and you'll be enjoying a stunning, chemical-free swimming pool that seamlessly blends with your garden in no time! For more insights into creating and maintaining your dream natural swimming pool, watch the full video featuring expert tips from Sarah Murch.
Pro Tips for Building a Natural Swimming Pool
- Distance yourself from trees to avoid debris and maintain water quality
- Adapt to the site's topography and drainage to ensure the water balance
- Plan for easy access making routine maintenance tasks a breeze
- Split the pool into two distinct zones for efficient filtration
- Choose aquatic plants for natural filtration
- Implement a pump and biofilter system for effective water circulation and cleanliness
- Maintain the pool as a living ecosystem just like a garden
- To create a harmonious blend between your home and the pool, consider planting various species like reeds, water lilies, and Cyperus longus in your pool, turning it into a thriving home-and-garden escapade.
- Instead of viewing your natural swimming pool as a mere outdoor recreational feature, think of it as an extension of your lifestyle, nurturing it much like a garden would demand.
- Incorporate gardening practices into your natural swimming pool maintenance routine, ensuring vibrant landscapes and sustainable eco-friendly living.
