Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions New pond soil/PH/fertilizing

Good day to all. I am new to these forums. I read them all the time but this is my first post. I have 5 acres in SW Ohio and getting ready to dig a 1 acre pond. I have read everything I can to educate myself from building the dam and pond to soil testing and fertilizing. Structure to aquatic plants. Everything I read says test the soil and water so if needed you can lime before the pond fills. Soooo Over the last 2 days I talked to my county water and soil people and the county biologist "pond guy" along with 2 separate pond management companies in my local area and everyone of them said... and I quote " No need to test the water or the soil because the PH is what it is and limimg it is a waste of money because it will quickly change back to what is was" I also asked about fertilizing a new pond for a plankton bloom to get everything going and everyone of them said "No one around here get their ponds fertilized." I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I feel like all the research was for nothing and everyone just digs a hole, throws some fish in and crosses fingers. Bottom line is I am getting no answers from anyone and now Im nervous about doing the pond. I want to do it right. We have dug 3 test holes to 14 feet and have perfect clay so that hurdle has been cleared. I still plan on testing the soil and liming if needed. As far as PH goes I have read to retest every 3-5 years and reapply as needed. Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Hi there and welcome! I recommend reading the book "Perfect Pond, Want One?" from the Pond Boss himself before you start. For sale on the main website.

From a water/soil standpoint, a lot of this stuff is regional so I avoid giving specific advice or my thoughts. But, I will say welcome to Pond Boss.

I agree with Bocomo about learning some stuff first. I’ll add a book “Just Add Water” by Mike Otto. Mike has been dozing out water holes for over 40 years and is a co-owner of this site.

It might be advisable to drive around the area looking at ponds. Stop and ask questions. Who dug it and whether they would use that guy again. Also, what might they have done differently.

Make sure the runoff area will support a pond and what size pond will work.