You might want to create a lower area for marshy marginal type plants, where the pond will overflow into in wet weather and stay damp in summer. A lot of people find the marshy area as interesting as the pond.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
You might want to create a lower area for marshy marginal type plants, where the pond will overflow into in wet weather and stay damp in summer. A lot of people find the marshy area as interesting as the pond.
I have thought about a run off area, almost like a dry river bed
Half fill tonight, put rest of the rocks in tomorrow, before starting the edge and surrounding area. Just enjoying a beer before the midges chase me in.
Having created and enjoyed a pond (about 3.5m x 2m x 1m deep) at our old house,
I found that one of the biggest mistakes we made was to have goldfish. Sure, they're lovely to watch and a pleasure to feed - but that's just the start.
Eventually we were buying a 50kg sack of feed at least twice a year. So that was £70.
I bought and installed a pump and filtration system because otherwise the water becomes stagnant and those fish need oxyginated water. That cost almost £400.
Then my wife wanted underwater lights and a fountain so that was another £150 - because to power up the fountain sufficiently, we needed a bigger pump.
And of course all that used electricity - our bill jumped by an extra 70p a day (back in the 'good old days' before prices went mad)
And then we had to clean the pond out every year because the fish produced a huge amount of sludge - and being carp, they insist on stirring up the bottom.
And then we had to buy netting, thanks to seagulls and crows.
So save all your effort and keep your pond for natural wildlife.
You'll get frogs by the ton and possibly newts and other small creatures.
(But with goldfish we had to extend the pond to make a shallow bay that we could separate from the fish so that small things could survive)
Put in plenty of plants - there are a huge number of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants that you don't normally see in a pond-free garden.
And I've missed so much! Just let nature look after your pond and it'll be amazing.
Inherited an amazing garden in Taunton, Somerset, stuffed with wonderful plants, shrubs, trees and creatures
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