Stock tank pond in the works
As I was gazing down on the circle lawn one afternoon…
…I realized that the bit of lawn wasn’t really floating my boat. Wouldn’t it be more fun, I mused, to have a big ole stock tank pond in the middle? Oh yeah!! It was time to get out the measuring tape…
…and rent a pickup truck and head on down to Callahan’s General Store on U.S. Hwy. 183 South. I’ve sent so many people to this place for stock tanks that I should get a commission (but don’t worry, I don’t). Callahan’s is a treasure. The old-fashioned, rambling general store sells Western wear, housewares, saddles, hardware, seeds and fertilizer, animal feed, and even live chickens and ducks, and its salespeople have always been friendly and helpful to me. But I really love it for the huge collection of stock tanks in the large, open-air warehouse next door.
The stock tank size I had in mind is a monster! An eight-foot diameter, two-foot deep circular tank will make a statement in the center of the circle garden, whose inspiration, ironically, was to riff on the circle of the kids’ trampoline.
The good folks at Callahan’s loaded it up for us and tied it down. I drove our rented pickup slowly all the way home, where my husband and I rolled the 150-pound tank onto the lawn…
…and down the hill into the back yard, where we parked it against the fence for the time being. Now the real work begins. I need to dig out the grass in the circle, lay a decomposed-granite base for the tank and set it up, and pave the leftover space around it with a combination of pavers and granite. I’m grabbing my shovel whenever I have a spare 20 minutes, and it may take me a while, but before mid-summer I know I’ll have a new pond to enjoy.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
And you aren’t the slightest bit obsessive about stock tanks, are you? Not a bit. And I’m not jealous, am I? Not a bit. Just because I’ve never seen anything like these in Sydney!
Looking forward to seeing the result of your labours — and the photos of the process, too!
Obsessive about stock tanks? Whatever gave you that idea, Chookie?
I can’t believe they don’t have them near Sydney though. Don’t they raise animals outside of the city? They must have water tanks out there somewhere. —Pam
Goodness sakes Pam, you are starting this in May?? in Texas?? Either work fast or wait til fall! A pond would be a nice idea though. Looking forward to seeing its progress and completion.
Yep, it would have made sense to do all the set up over the winter. But I didn’t think of it then. And as for stocking a pond with plants and fish, summer means a better selection at the water-garden nurseries. It’s not much fun buying a water lily when all you can see is a pot of mud. 😉 —Pam
I will look forward to seeing the weekly progression on this hallmark ‘Pam’ garden. It will be so very interesting and much more fun to look at than the lawn.
I think so too, Layanee, especially as the deck affords a view from above. —Pam
Happy digging out that grass. You might have to get one of those hats with the light on it so you can work at night when it is cooler outside. I can’t wait to see the “works in progress” and the final unveiling of your new tank all set up in the garden.
All in good time, Carol. I’m going to be taking lots of swimming breaks before this project gets completed. —Pam
How do you handle drainage in the tank? Do you drill a few holes in the bottom? I love your stock tank idea and know I’ll end up w/ one sooner than later.
This tank is going to be used as a container pond, so I won’t drill any holes in it. If I ever need to drain it, it has a plug. But I never drained my old stock-tank pond in the four or so years I had it. —Pam
Oh I can hardly wait! I don’t envy that digging though!
It’s really more like scraping than digging. The hard work will be hauling in decomposed granite and pavers, I expect. Ugh. —Pam
We have a small stock tank that we use to hold the fish and water lilies when we clean the pond. So I can just imagine moving that baby. The store sounds wonderful and I love the image of the stock tanks all helter skelter. I usually see oval ones like ours, but I like your round one so much more; the scale will be perfect. But I agree with Carol; sounds like digging in the cool of the evening may be the way to go!
If only there were a “cool of the evening” at this time of year, Linda. We’ve moved into near-summer mode, and it’s still in the 80s even toward midnight. My best bet is to plan on a dip in the pool after a spate of digging. —Pam
Well, it’s about time you set free your Inner-Pam and got that stock tank in progress – what a nice project to celebrate the 6-month move-in mark.
Austin is a tough place for people who like to get in a little gardening early in the morning, here where the only ‘cool’ comes just before dawn. There isn’t much time, because at this latitude the days don’t change length as dramatically as they do in the north. The sun didn’t rise today until 6:37 AM (Sunset at 8:17PM). In Chicago it’s sunrise 5:32 AM, sunset 8:02PM. New York City gardeners can see by 5:41AM, with sunset 8:04PM. Seattle is light at 5:34AM and stays light until 8:38PM.
Hope you don’t mind the nerdy, digression but it seems that jumping in the pool is the way to go, Pam!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Ha, freeing my “Inner Pam,” huh? Boy, she gets out a lot!
Right you are about the day length conspiring against us southern gardeners. By the time the sun comes up, I’m getting the kids ready for school and don’t have time for gardening. But summer is coming, and soon early morning is when all the Austin gardeners will be trying to get their gardening chores done. —Pam
That is just the perfect place for the new pond! Isn’t it fabulous when inspiration hits like that? And I am so glad to know there is someone else out there who shares the stock tank addiction! I won’t be in STAA all alone.
I am so excited to watch and learn from you before we take the stock tank pond plunge later this summer.
We can join STAA together, Loree. But not until I fuel the addiction with a few more stock tanks. —Pam
That will be so cool! What a big tank!!! Will it sit on the top of the ground or will you bury it? I have a very old one that is sitting around that is about that size. It is all rusted out on the bottom. Never knew what to use it for. I still haven’t gotten the oblong one put to use either. Its still sitting. I keep thinking about it but haven’t decided where to put it yet. I can’t wait to see your finished pond!!! Have fun!!!!!!
It’s going to sit on top of the ground, Cindee. I have too many live-oak roots to consider burying it, plus I like having a raised pond. It’s safer when little kids are in the garden, and it helps keep critters out. —Pam
Brilliant!
Or crazy. Time will tell! —Pam
Hi Pam,
🙂 A large stock tank pond is just the thing you need to make this new garden your own. I meant to ask you if you’d seen Susan Tomlinson’s stock tank rain barrels? She’s at the Bicycle Garden. Hers reminded me of your former garden. Have fun with your new project. Want Bill and I to come help lay pavers?~~Dee
Yes and yes! I’ll see you this weekend, Dee. 😉 —Pam
I’m so excited for your new pond! Keep us updated. I am very interested to see the process; hopefully I can copycat you someday. I love the stock tank aesthetic, I think it is really beautiful.
A stock-tank pond is pretty darn easy to make, Sue. No digging required (except for grass removal, if necessary), which is the best part. —Pam
I could spend hours looking at those stock tanks & envisioning all kinds of things for them. This is going to be such a fun project for you once you get the grass out of there. (That’s definitely not fun.) I know its going to look great.
I’m excited about having a pond again soon. I miss my water lilies and goldfish from my old pond and plan to rescue them soon. —Pam
Wow amazing! I can’t wait to see it all finished. I’m sure it will be beautiful! -Jackie
It’ll be a lot more fun than grass, won’t it? —Pam
That is a BIG tank pond. With more room comes more possibilities. Just one suggestion though. Instead of the crushed granite you might consider using sand under the tank. You can buy sand in bags fairly reasonable and tote them around back in a wheel barrow, no shoveling to load the wheel barrow. It will still let the water leach away from the tank and there won’t be any pressure points from the rocks under the tank. I’ll keep an eye out for the progress, it’s gonna be great. If you need any Red Stemmed Thalia for tall plants in the pond just let me know, I’ve got some extras.
Thanks for the suggestions, Bob. Decomposed granite comes in bags at our local big-box stores, but you’re right that a coarse builders’ sand would work well too. Thanks too for the kind offer of the thalia. I think that gets a bit too big for the space I have (8 to 10 feet tall, right?). I’m going to keep things on the low side so as to preserve a feeling of openness. —Pam
This is exciting Pam. Can’t wait to see what plans you have. Like me you always have another project in mind and then in the works. I was just complaining to D that he has put a cab on the top of our truck which means no more loads of gravel or soil. Is he thinking of getting out of some work? Renting a truck! Now there’s an idea.
Hmm, a cab on the truck does sound like passive resistance, Jenny. Yep, a rental truck will solve that problem neatly. —Pam
I think your new pond is going to look great in that circular area Pam! Can’t wait to see the finished project, have fun. 🙂
Thanks, I shall! —Pam
Ditto to all above comments. And SO glad to hear about the general store – I’ve driven past it many many times, always to and back from the airport. But never have I stopped in. I’m looking forward to going now.
You’ll love Callahan’s, Kelly. And so will the kids when they’re a little older. —Pam
I think it’s a perfect idea for that area. But it’s so big you might as well make it a pool for the summer! 😉
Only the fish will be swimming in this pond, Jean. We’ll be swimming nearby though. —Pam
I am too excited for you and maybe a little bit envious! Pam, it’s going to be fantastic! Can’t wait to see the progress. gail
A pond is irresistible, Gail. I knew it was only a matter of time before I found space for one. I’m just happy to have room for a much bigger one than at the old place. —Pam
Wow, what a big tank. I didn’t know they made them that big. Almost big enough for a wading pool for the kiddies.
I sure would like one in my garden but don’t know where I’d put it. I live in town. Keep us posted.
Even a little stock tank, three feet across, makes a nice container pond, Lola. That’s the size I had in my old garden. I bet you can squeeze in a small pond. —Pam
How exciting! I’m so anxious to see that, I want it done already! I don’t envy you with the digging though, I think I would rent a Bobcat or hire someone to do that large of an area, but you are the queen of “Digging”.
A Bobcat would be overkill for this space, Robin, but I may hire a helper for this, especially for hauling off the grass and extra soil. —Pam
The pond-to-be sticking sideways out of the truck bed is hilarious. Be sure to save up these photos to remember all the work that the project took. But it’ll be worth it!
Like childbirth, the memory of labor on a garden project either fades over time or can be turned into a good story. I’m sure it’ll all be worth it. —Pam
Oh, WOW. I didn’t realize it was going to be so big! That’s the same size that ESP/Philip has, right? You’ll be able to see the fish swim from up on the deck, though, which should be relaxing. I’m renting a trencher tomorrow to get that giant carbonized stump out of my front yard once and for all, and once that’s done I can start working on leveling the spot for my 8×3′ stock tank. I’m not sure how make sure everything’s level, though. Do you dig out the base by eye and then put sand or decomposed granite down and just lay a giant level on it and rake till it’s level in all directions, or is there an easier method?
I can’t remember how big Philip’s container pond is, but it might be this size or even larger. (They sell 10-ft. diameter tanks at Callahan’s!) Good luck with the stump removal. I look forward to seeing your tank in action.
As for getting it level, I dig out the grass and spread several inches of decomposed granite or sand over the area. Then I use a long straight board with a level laid across it to check that the base is level. With decomposed granite, you have to wet it, compact it, and check it several times as it settles. But it makes a durable, unshifting base. —Pam
You can never have too many stock tank ponds… I can’t wait to see how this one turns out. Having a little oasis of water to look at helps during those dry summer days when you’re sure it will never rain again.
Yes, a water feature is very cooling in our hot summers. And if you make a little platform for birds to come in for a drink and a bathe, you make your winged visitors happy too. —Pam
Hilarious; I am awaiting delivery of two more galvanized tanks myself. Must be contagious.
It’s that time of year for pond construction, Margaret. Or are yours going to be planters? —Pam
Ohh I can’t wait to see it done. I’ve been wanting to do something like this…keep us posted! Kim
I will, Kim. I’ve been busy with work lately, but I hope to find time for grass removal this weekend or early next week. Stay tuned. —Pam
We put in a 6 ft stock tank 1 1/2 years ago. One of the best decisions that we have made about the garden. Only regret that it’s not an 8 footer! It never fails to draw us out into the garden. Something is always happening in the pond…lilies and lotus blooming plus our goldfish are VERY prolific! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out.
Thanks for visiting, Charles, and for sharing your experience. I had a 3-foot diameter stock-tank pond in my old garden, and I’m delighted to be more than doubling the size of my new one. —Pam
Tease…….can’t wait to see what you come up with….
Rome wasn’t built in a day, CIMS. 🙂 At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ll post more pics as I go along. —Pam
I love your idea, Pam. I was wondering what you were going to do with that space. As I know how gardeners are when it comes to empty spaces. We feel a certain need to fill it! Part of the makeup of us, I’m afraid! I can’t wait to see it in place!
Brenda
I had promised my kids that I wouldn’t remove all the grass in the back yard, Brenda, and there wasn’t all that much to begin with. However, when I thought of the pond idea, I asked them which would be more fun—the grass or a big pond. They agreed that the pond would be better. So out comes the grass! —Pam
Hi Pam, man that is a nice size too. Renting a truck, $20? Why is that so simply yet never occurred to me? Round is good for rolling! It is gonna be great! 🙂
Frances
Frances, the truck rental actually ended up being about $55, once insurance, the mileage fee, and gas was added in. Still, that’s cheaper than many a delivery charge, especially in this case since Callahan’s didn’t offer delivery of the tank. —Pam
Very impressive! And to think I was proud of the patch of spider plant that I dug out yesterday. You have inspired me to get going… I am so looking forward to seeing this develop. Thanks.
Well, I haven’t dug out that grass yet, Barbara, so you’ve done more than I. But it’ll happen eventually. Little by little gets the job done, right? —Pam
What a great idea, Pam. I think that spot is just begging for a stock tank! I look forward to seeing how it progresses over the summer.
Thanks, Jenny. I’m excited about adding a water feature to the garden. —Pam
I can’t wait to see the progress and the completed project. You should hang a sign on that truck advertising your landscape coaching… hey, free advertising!
The truck is already back at U-Haul, alas. I do sometimes wish I had one of my own. —Pam
Yay, big project!
Big pond, big fun! —Pam
Cool idea, but hot, hot, hot outside. I always vow to keep my big projects until winter but somehow I end up like you, digging grass up in the summer heat. I just dug up a huge expanse of lawn for a new bed. But it wasn’t so hard as I just sprayed with roundup and then mowed it as short as I could, then my hubby pitched in and raked the rest of the roots up.
Summer is a good time to kill grass though, as the heat and drought do half the job (unless you have Bermuda grass, ugh). I’ve decided to do all my digging in my swimsuit (with a cover-up of course), jumping into the pool as necessary to cool off. —Pam
Wow, that’s some stock tank! Can’t wait to see the finished product. I love Callahan’s — it’s my favorite place to get cast iron pans.
Good tip! I have a cast-iron pan for cornbread that I love. If I ever need another, I’ll know where to go. —Pam
Ahh!
Brings back fond memories!
Check out the cyprio pumps and filter systems for your stock tank…they have worked out well for me over the years.
I can’t wait to see what you do with this area.
ESP.
Thanks for the tip, ESP. Is your pond the same size—8 feet? I was thinking of going filterless, like a similar pond I helped with in my kids’ school garden, but we’ll see. I may want a pump eventually. —Pam
Hi,could you possibly tell me where I might find decomposed granite in middle tennessee around nashville thanks Bill
No idea, Bill. —Pam