Water Gardens

Water gardens are a very attractive feature. Adding a simple pond or creating a series of pools can give your garden it's own unique character. There are many options available, and even a small shallow bird bath type water feature will still be a great way to attract wildlife into your garden.

The following small guides should provide some useful advice.

Sinking a Pond Above the Ground

Whatever size your garden is, a pond adds an extra dimension to it. Ponds reflect light, they also encourage wildlife and offer a wider range of planting opportunities.

You can opt for a still pond or pehaps you would like to include a small fountain? Think carefully about the space you have available, and the budget you have for your pond project.

You should always consider safety, even a small shallow pond can be dangerous to children and pets. If young children are likely to be in the garden, the pond should be surrounded by a safety fence to prevent accidents.

There are several options for actually creating the pond. You can use a flexible or rigid liner.

Rigid, pre-moulded ponds are quick and easy to install. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, visit you local suppliers to see what is available. Installation is straight forward, and mainly consists of digging a hole in the garden big enough to fit the new pond.

A few basic tips for installation: You should ensure the moulded pond is level and well seated in the hole you have dug for it. Back fill around it with soil and fill it with water and plants.

Flexible plastic liners, allow you to design your own individually shaped and sized ponds. This is great if you have a specific idea or plan in mind. Installation requires the digging of an appropriate sized hole, which will allow the liner to overlap all the edges. The edges of the liner are then buried under the soil bank that surrounds the pond, and the water is then added. Fill to a suitable level, and then plant around the edges.

Location of the pond should ideally be located away from any large trees as fallen leaves will collect in the pond and be harmful to any fish. Ideally you should choose an open, semi-shaded, level spot.