The Perfect Pond Recipe Book

How To Prepare the Pond Site & Select the Pond Shape

The basic rule for siting any pond is to place it where you can enjoy it most. This means normally place it where you can see it from well used parts of the house. The pond should also be placed in a sunny location.

Choosing the area and trying different shapes

Choose a firm roughly level site in a sunny sheltered place away from trees. Above all consider safety for when children are about. If it is visible from the house, it is safer and it can be seen in winter when you don't feel like being out in the garden as much. Also bear in mind accessibility to electrical power and water.

If the ground is uneven or has to be made up in places, it will be necessary to define at what height the water level is intended to be by a ‘datum peg’ (a piece of 1inch timber driven into the ground with a lump hammer) driven into a small depression or excavation next to where the pond will be.

Lay out the size and shape. This can be done with a rope or piece of hose. Keep the shape simple e.g. rectangular, oval or kidney shaped. Complex shapes cause ugly creases in the liner. The maximum width must be under 1.5metres (5ft). The maximum length must be under 2.1metres (7ft). The maximum depth must be 45cm (18inches).

Preparing to dig

Cut away the turf within the shape down to make a firm level area. This must be deep enough so that the edging will all be below the level of the surrounding turf. If the excavation is in a soil area, the same applies. This will be the water level. To make room for the edging, this level area must be extended beyond the bounds of the laid out shape by the same width as the edging stones or paving. Check all around the edge with the spirit level.

Instructions by PeterJ.May2006-03-16. To learn a lot more about how to create the perfect pond. Your whole family will suddenly find a new exciting interest in the garden as a whole. Peter May also has sites showing previous water feature plan sketches as well as a site about solving pond problems

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