Watery Delight

A pond is a great long-term addition to a garden but reduce the amount of soil accidentally entering the plan it before you start digging! pond. Where to put a pond? Keep clear of deciduous Have a gently sloping beach at one edge to allow trees; their leaves clog up the pond and cause hedgehogs, birds and other non-aquatic creatures to methane gas to be released as they rot, which can be drink and bathe, and get out easily if they fall in. lethal to fish and pond wildlife. Conversely, extremely Build in some ‘shelves’ at the sides, wide enough to sunny, hot spots will increase the likelihood of pond hold pots or pond baskets to allow for aquatics and algae problems. marginals (bog-loving plants) needing shallower water. Choose a level site to minimise the amount of soil A pond should be filled with rain water, but mains that needs to be shifted to create it. water can be used if allowed to stand for a week or How to choose a liner. There are three main types so before adding plants or fish. of pond liner: a pre-formed rigid liner (mid-price but What to plant? Buy healthy and hardy pond and shapes are limited); plastic available by the metre marginal plants that are able to withstand winter (cheap but may only last three or four years); and temperatures. Check the depth of water they require butyl (costly, but lasts around 30 years, and allows and how big they’ll grow. and any size and shape you require). Make it safe. Make sure that you explain the What shape? Create a simple shape to use less butyl potential dangers of ponds to children, and liner and underlay, and make it easier to install. consider waiting a year or so if they are too small to Always use underlay as this dramatically reduces the understand. risk of leaks due to liner damage. Either buy it or use Avoid steep, straight sides and have a graduated old carpet underlay for flexible liners, while plenty of exit so it’s easy to get out of should someone or sand works well for rigid liners. something fall in. What size? A larger pond is generally easier to Consider fitting a strong galvanised metal mesh over maintain and should be at least 45cm (18in) deep to the entire surface. It must be strong enough to bear minimise algae and to maximise the range of plants a child’s weight, with a small mesh size that small feet you can grow. cannot go through. Adjust the pond levels at the edges before laying A small fence around the pond can be clothed edging material. Edges must fit snugly in the hole to with climbers or painted, and can be removed once reduce the chances of damage – pack dry sand or children are older. garden soil into any gaps. Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to Large, rounded stones at the pond edge help animals book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening to climb out and help disguise liner edges, plus club or as an after-dinner speaker. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 27