The Lazy Mans Way To Build A Garden Pond
I have my indoor tropical fish tanks, but what about outdoors no matter what size your garden you could build a pond.
1.
Decide on what type of pond you would like.
2.
Concrete lots of hard work involved in this type of pond.
3.
Preformed ponds are an ideal alternative, but still involve a lot of digging.
4.
An above ground pond is the easiest of the lot, provided you have at least some basic D.
I.
Y.
skills.
Now regardless of what size pond you think you want, do yourself a favour and measure out, with the help of your trusty hosepipe the dimensions.
Just lay the hosepipe on the ground until you feel you are happy with the size, go for the biggest size you can afford.
Most people building their first pond tend to make them too small.
I always prefer railway sleepers if you can source them, but all of the big do it yourself stores now sell timbers that resemble sleepers.
With the added advantage they have been treated against rot.
Simply cut and join the timbers using half lap joints, the aim is to build the pond into your required square or rectangle shape.
You have now got what is essentially a bottomless box, build it in the place you want the pond because it will be extremely heavy to move once constructed.
1.
The experts will tell you to use sand in the bottom this is to cushion your pool liner.
2.
But we are doing it the lazy mans way so use either roofing felt, or my personal preference loft insulation, both materials are cheap.
3.
The sole purpose of putting one of these materials in the bottom, is to cushion the pool liner from any sharp stones or the like.
Now you are ready to put the pool liner in place just drop it into the form you have built and start filling with water, the weight of the water will be enough to smooth most of the wrinkles out, but if you are a fussy so and so like myself you can help smooth them out by hand.
It is now a good time to check the level of your timber, if it needs lifting a touch here and there slide some shims (packers) under the side that needs lifting.
It may be beneficial to have the timbers slightly off level this will help with water run off.
But do not waste the water try to direct it into one of your flower beds.
Fill the pool completely before cutting the excess liner off, the weight of the water is going to pull the liner into all the nooks and crannies where it needs to go.
After the liner has been trimmed you need to finish the top of the pond off, this is purely cosmetic after all you do not want to be looking at wrinkled pool liner do you.
The options are endless you could use coping stones, cut paving stones, or the easiest of the lot, remember we are lazy pond builders, treated timber just cut and nail into place.
Do not put any fish in the pond yet tap water is deadly to fish, you will need some product to get rid of the chlorine in the water, easy to obtain from your local pet shop.
Put this in the water and leave to stand as per the recommendation of the manufacturer, usually seven to ten days.
The height of the pond is up to you, but I would say fourteen to eighteen inches above ground is ideal, just a nice height for sitting on.
After waiting the period stated for getting the water into trim, you can now stock your pond, any plants you are putting in can be stood on bricks, now the good bit, buy some fish and away you go.
If you fancy a pond in the ground it is a simple thingto do with a pool liner, but we are bone idle so.
Get some beers and call a few friends and tell them to fetch a spade each, make sure you have a couple of wheel barrows for getting rid of the soil, keep them well supplied with ale, but do not let them stop digging, and before you know it you are all well oiled and the groundwork is complete.
That is all for now all folks happy pond making.
1.
Decide on what type of pond you would like.
2.
Concrete lots of hard work involved in this type of pond.
3.
Preformed ponds are an ideal alternative, but still involve a lot of digging.
4.
An above ground pond is the easiest of the lot, provided you have at least some basic D.
I.
Y.
skills.
Now regardless of what size pond you think you want, do yourself a favour and measure out, with the help of your trusty hosepipe the dimensions.
Just lay the hosepipe on the ground until you feel you are happy with the size, go for the biggest size you can afford.
Most people building their first pond tend to make them too small.
I always prefer railway sleepers if you can source them, but all of the big do it yourself stores now sell timbers that resemble sleepers.
With the added advantage they have been treated against rot.
Simply cut and join the timbers using half lap joints, the aim is to build the pond into your required square or rectangle shape.
You have now got what is essentially a bottomless box, build it in the place you want the pond because it will be extremely heavy to move once constructed.
1.
The experts will tell you to use sand in the bottom this is to cushion your pool liner.
2.
But we are doing it the lazy mans way so use either roofing felt, or my personal preference loft insulation, both materials are cheap.
3.
The sole purpose of putting one of these materials in the bottom, is to cushion the pool liner from any sharp stones or the like.
Now you are ready to put the pool liner in place just drop it into the form you have built and start filling with water, the weight of the water will be enough to smooth most of the wrinkles out, but if you are a fussy so and so like myself you can help smooth them out by hand.
It is now a good time to check the level of your timber, if it needs lifting a touch here and there slide some shims (packers) under the side that needs lifting.
It may be beneficial to have the timbers slightly off level this will help with water run off.
But do not waste the water try to direct it into one of your flower beds.
Fill the pool completely before cutting the excess liner off, the weight of the water is going to pull the liner into all the nooks and crannies where it needs to go.
After the liner has been trimmed you need to finish the top of the pond off, this is purely cosmetic after all you do not want to be looking at wrinkled pool liner do you.
The options are endless you could use coping stones, cut paving stones, or the easiest of the lot, remember we are lazy pond builders, treated timber just cut and nail into place.
Do not put any fish in the pond yet tap water is deadly to fish, you will need some product to get rid of the chlorine in the water, easy to obtain from your local pet shop.
Put this in the water and leave to stand as per the recommendation of the manufacturer, usually seven to ten days.
The height of the pond is up to you, but I would say fourteen to eighteen inches above ground is ideal, just a nice height for sitting on.
After waiting the period stated for getting the water into trim, you can now stock your pond, any plants you are putting in can be stood on bricks, now the good bit, buy some fish and away you go.
If you fancy a pond in the ground it is a simple thingto do with a pool liner, but we are bone idle so.
Get some beers and call a few friends and tell them to fetch a spade each, make sure you have a couple of wheel barrows for getting rid of the soil, keep them well supplied with ale, but do not let them stop digging, and before you know it you are all well oiled and the groundwork is complete.
That is all for now all folks happy pond making.
Source...