Build a Pond

How to build a pond and have it look like nature's own work 

 Use large stones embedded into the edge of the liner.

This example shows the use of large stones around the waterline.
This works quite well with a planting bed behind as a backdrop or leading up to your backyard waterfall.

But if you were to use large stones all the way around your garden pond it may give the impression of a ring around your pond.
Large stones may also hide the edge of the pond making you look over the edge of the stone work to see the pond.
Large stones will also hinder your access to the edge of the pond making it harder to maintain.
If you use this type of edge treatment use smaller stones to fill in the gaps around the larger stones. This will help to hide the liner and give a more natural look.

Use flat stones around the garden ponds edge

In this example flat stones are used with a planting bed as the backdrop.

This works quite well also and will allow you to keep a lower profile of the surrounding earth.
In this picture the surrounding earth does rise above the ponds elevation but I am sure that you can envision how it would look if the surrounding landscape sloped downward or was level.
Flat stone work will also allow for better access to the ponds edge.
If you use several layers of flat stone all overlapping each other there is no need to use smaller stones to hide the liner.

Use pea gravel along with larger stones to retain the pea gravel

This is a stunning example of how to incorporate a garden pond into your patio.

How to build a pond using pea gravel that ties the pavers into the ponds edge quite well and the larger stones retain the smaller sized stones.
Access is also easily obtained at the waters edge allowing for easy pond care and feeding of fish.
Not shown in this photo is the fact that it has a stream originating at the front door and going through a series of small waterfalls before entering this pond.
Also in this pond there were some very large Koi fish adding to the enjoyment of this garden pond.
This in fact is a place of business and this garden pond is intended to create a relaxing environment to all workers and prospective clients who enter the front door.