Garden Projects
Building a pond
Typically the idea of a pool or pond is encourage wildlife to the garden. There are various ways to build your water feature, there is an unlimited number of ways that you would like it to look like. I have given a few examples of typical styles of pools and ponds.
Informal
This is most popular and cheapest form. Decide on the shape and position of your pool or pond and dig. Once the desired depth has been reached you will need to protect the waterproof liner (butyl liner) by laying down soft sand or an old carpet to prevent stones in the soil puncturing the liner. Remember to include the sides of the pool or pond when calculating the area of the liner. Lay the liner over the protective layer, pleating and folding the sides as the pool is filled with water.
The last job is to hold the liner edges in place. This can be done by laying a concrete base under the liner edge and laying paving, brick or rocks around the perimeter.
Formal
Formal pools tend to be more regular in shape either above ground or at ground level. If your pool is to be at ground level then the above method for an informal pool applies but you may wish to use ply board to give vertical sides to your pool rather than relying on your digging skills. If your pool is to be above ground then retaining walls will have to be built in either brick or stone. You will still have to line your pool to protect the liner from being punctured and hold the liner in place by laying a final layer of brick or stone on the edges.
Ornamental
These pools are likely to be kits sold in garden centre's. There is an extensive range such as water bubbling out of a drilled boulder/millstone or water overflowing from a toppled urn, these water features are low cost, easy to fit and safe for children, as the water reservoir is covered with a grill and cobbles arranged over it. The reservoir is a rigid fibreglass container sunk into the ground ensuring the perimeter is level. A plinth or an arrangement of bricks can then be placed inside the container to support the centre of the grill and the water feature or statue placed on top. Cobbles are then arranged to cover the grill.
