Landscaping

Although we have started a series of articles guiding you through the basics of building a pond, we thought that we would start the new year by going back to basics just so that the there are a few practical considerations well and truly catered for before we actually get much further.
For those of you considering building your first pond, or for those of you who have built your first pond and it looks as though you may have to start again, here is very early article written by Peter May that aims to introduce the novice to some of the most important ingredients to consider when creating a perfect water garden.

WHATEVER THE PROBLEM, HERE IS THE SOLUTION - THE PERFECT POND RECIPE

Spirogyra or blanket weed has completely taken over Does your pond look like the grave of a Swamp Thing? Or does the water look like it contains the swill from some riotous goblin party with green slimey candy floss and vile unctuous jelly? IfLilies Water Gardens;A Time to Reflect;Hampton Court 2006- An ideal to strive for. so, it might be because some essential ingredient is missing, or there might be too much of some and not enough of another.
Perhaps you haven't even attempted a water garden yet, but it had crossed your mind because you know it would make the perfect focal point in your garden. You haven't attempted it yet because you thought you might make a mess of it.

When things are nice and simple, and the ground is firm and flat, the easiest way put in a flexible liner is the standard conservationist technique and is only suitable for informal water gardens. This little article could easily have a heading:

How to Build Ponds in the 'Continental Fashion'

The reason this method is so popular is because it doesn't involve any construction at all. All you need is a good strong spade and back for digging, some pegs (longer than the intended depth of the pond), the corect amount of liner and underlay and a good quantity of soft heavy sand (Holme sand).

LANDSCAPING IDEAS:

BUILDING BACKYARD POOLS, WATER GARDENS AND WATER FEATURES. CHOOSING THE SITE AND LINER MATERIAL

If you are contemplating building a water garden or a backyard pool for yourself or if you are wondering why your last efforts were such a disaster, there may be just a small key point of technique in the installation of the liner that may have been missed.
THE secrets of getting it right from the very start, at the basic foundations of any water garden, whether you choose preformed units or flexible liner materials.

WHEN THINGS ARE NOT SO SIMPLE.

Building a pond in unlevel or uneven ground using flexible liners

Here is how to build a pool with a flexible liner when part of the pool edge emerges above the level of the surrounding landscape, or if the pool is in loose soil or made up ground.

Now here's another rosy domestic scene: the family happy, jolly, smiling, tucking into their breakfast on a bright golden spring morning. This was a new house, a new home and a new garden; an opportunity to make a fresh start. Dad suddenly swishes the morning newspaper closed with a flourish.

" Gosh, I've suddenly had an amazing idea!" He cries.

" What's that Dad? " Mum and the children sing in unison.

" I think we ought to have a water garden, wouldn't that be wonderful ?" He replies.

" That would be AMAZING!" Comes the chorus.

Liners are the most cost effective method of making a waterproof pool in your garden, but what is there really to choose between all the makes and materials?

Peter May tells you what will help you make it neat or natural.