Going off the Grid? 6 Reasons You Need a Pond
November 14, 2018
If you own a small homestead that you intend to keep off the grid, you’ll want to consider adding at least one pond to your property. When most people think of ponds, they think of the aesthetic value, or how the addition will improve the appearance of their property. However, when you're off the grid, your pond becomes a crucial part of your homestead. Here are just five vital benefits a pond will provide you and your family when you live off the grid.
1. Emergency Water Supply
When you live off the grid, you need access to an adequate water supply. Even if you receive your water from a well, you still need an emergency supply in case the well runs dry or malfunctions. Ponds provide additional water for animal and human consumption, although you need a good filtration system if you plan to use your pond as a source of water for your family.
For maximum benefit, create two separate ponds — one to provide emergency water for your family and one for your animals.
2. Free Pest Control
When you live in Tennessee, you have to contend with the mosquitoes, especially during the summer months. If you plan to run an organic homestead, you need access to natural pest control options.
You might not think of a pond as a way to control pests, especially mosquitoes. However, ponds attract helpful insects such as damselflies and dragonflies, which devour mosquitoes and their larvae. Ponds also attract frogs and salamanders, two additional natural sources for mosquito control. For added protection against mosquitoes, add Gambusia — mosquito fish — to your pond.
3. Additional Food Source
If you need an additional food source for your homestead, a pond can help. An active pond provides space for crops such as water chestnuts and watercress. In fact, with the right nutrients and care, you can grow many vegetables in your pond. In ancient days, the Aztec used floating islands in ponds to grow crops such as squash, tomatoes, and beans.
In addition to vegetable crops, you can stock your pond with fish to provide another source of food for your family.
4. Natural Fertilizer
If you grow other crops on your homestead, you need access to healthy fertilizer — especially one without harmful chemicals. Your pond provides a constant source of fertilizer for your gardens. Add water plants such as duckweed, water lilies, and water hyacinth to jump-start your compost heap.
You can also spread algae in your gardens and till the soil to provide the proper mixture of nutrients for your vegetable crops. Algae is rich in nitrogen, which enriches the soil and encourages plant growth.
5. Source of Electricity
If you have a small creek on your property, you can use the addition of a pond to generate small amounts of electricity for your homestead. When you divert a portion of your creek through your pond and install a waterwheel, the current produces electricity around the clock. Unlike solar power, you don't need to worry about the amount of sunlight you receive. You also don't need to worry about backup batteries or generators for your solar panels.
6. Space for Quiet Relaxation
Your pond can also provide you with a space for quiet relaxation. Water encourages tranquility and peace, and having a quiet place where you can escape from the pressures of your day-to-day life can reduce your stress.
If you plan to take your homestead off the grid, you need a pond on your property. You'll enjoy multiple benefits from the addition. Contact us
at Henry Drilling LLC for more information about having a healthy pond on your property.
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