WATER FEATURES
If you like water features, installing a fountain or pond are simple ways to create an interesting low-maintenance garden. A large pond may be less demanding than a flowerbed.
How to Make a Pond
Make your pond as large as possible. Fish and wildlife will be happier, and the water will stay clearer. You can dig out a pond and line it in a weekend, but you may prefer to get someone else to excavate it for you. Leave a shallow ledge 23cm (9in) down around part of the pond for marginal plants, and to allow wildlife access.
Planting a Pond
The best time to plant aquatics is spring and early summer, so that they can become established. Use a planting basket designed for aquatic plants, line it with a special basket liner and use aquatic soil.
Maintenance
Overcrowded plants benefit from division and replanting in spring, and in autumn it’s best to cut down dead foliage that might pollute the water, and to rake out the leaves. Every few years the pond should be emptied and cleaned — the only big task.
For more tips on water features and building ponds, click here!!
How to Make a Pond
Make your pond as large as possible. Fish and wildlife will be happier, and the water will stay clearer. You can dig out a pond and line it in a weekend, but you may prefer to get someone else to excavate it for you. Leave a shallow ledge 23cm (9in) down around part of the pond for marginal plants, and to allow wildlife access.
Planting a Pond
The best time to plant aquatics is spring and early summer, so that they can become established. Use a planting basket designed for aquatic plants, line it with a special basket liner and use aquatic soil.
Maintenance
Overcrowded plants benefit from division and replanting in spring, and in autumn it’s best to cut down dead foliage that might pollute the water, and to rake out the leaves. Every few years the pond should be emptied and cleaned — the only big task.
For more tips on water features and building ponds, click here!!
