Step 2: Excavate out a lump of concrete and stones I can barely lift, then finish digging the middle down to about 75 cm.
Step 3: add a bit of sand to level out the shelves, then start laying down some of those blankets removal men use.
Step 4: Then put the proper pond underlay on top of the blankets (no harm in being paranoid when you spend £250 on a liner).
Step 5: Finally, drape the surprisingly heavy pond liner over the underlay.
When I last dug a pond about 15 years ago I used a cheap PVC liner, it was a right pain to get rid of the folds. This 0.75mm EPDM liner on the other hand is an absolute dream to work with, it bends!
Time for a well earned brew before I turn the tap on.
@Colin-Jackson Great to see your update. I don't know very much about starting a pond from scratch.However I am sure you will have so much pleasure from it.
I also purchased Snowdrops from Euro Bulbs very pleased.
I think this thread will make a very useful reference for you as the garden develops.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Colin-Jackson I hate to think how much I have spent on plants for my new garden and it is much smaller than yours. I did bring fifty pots from my old garden, many are what I would describe as fillers.
They need the support of shrubs and evergreens that form the skeletal shape of the garden especially in winter. That is where I would personally spend my money in the beginning. Strong shapes from evergreens and deciduous shrubs that are still interesting bare stemmed together with grasses gives the whole garden a rhythm.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Colin-Jackson , it is really good to see your pond being made and your mention of the "0.75mm EPDM liner being bendy and easy to use was very timely for me, as I have been pondering (😄) what type of liner to buy. I think you have given me the answer! Thankyou.
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
I was expecting two tonnes of green slate boulders to arrive for the pond today, unfortunately Gravel Master have let me down. So instead I sat down and thought about what type of plants I want to grow.
A rough plan in mind, I popped over to Buckingham garden centre for a birthday shopping spree.
My initial focus was on finding some perennials for the scented area. I ended up with three highly fragrant roses (Timeless pink, Rhapsody in Blue & Nostalgia).
I also wanted plenty of scented climbing plants to cover the new fence. Early Dutch honeysuckle is happy with shade, so will be planted closest to the patio, then Scentsation honeysuckle in the middle and finally Star Jasmine at the top filling out the gap until we get to the Ivy near the trees. The fence should smell divine in summer.
On the other side of the garden I wanted a wildlife hedge to provide some cover behind the pond. 14 Pyracantha (Red Column) should do nicely. The thorns on these are already quite vicious, so should give ample protection from cats and squirrels in addition to providing blossom and berries.
Finally I got a pair of self fertile Holly bushes (J.C. Van Tol), these will live in pots until I decide where I want to plant them. Not sure if I want them to become bushes, standards or trees.
So, while I made no progress on the pond, it has been far from a wasted day.
Posts
Step 1: Dig a big hole about 50 cm deep.
Step 2: Excavate out a lump of concrete and stones I can barely lift, then finish digging the middle down to about 75 cm.
Step 3: add a bit of sand to level out the shelves, then start laying down some of those blankets removal men use.
Step 4: Then put the proper pond underlay on top of the blankets (no harm in being paranoid when you spend £250 on a liner).
Step 5: Finally, drape the surprisingly heavy pond liner over the underlay.
When I last dug a pond about 15 years ago I used a cheap PVC liner, it was a right pain to get rid of the folds. This 0.75mm EPDM liner on the other hand is an absolute dream to work with, it bends!
Time for a well earned brew before I turn the tap on.
I also purchased Snowdrops from Euro Bulbs very pleased.
I think this thread will make a very useful reference for you as the garden develops.
It's starting to look like a garden instead of a building site (almost).
I suspect March is going to be a very expensive month.
Pond plants, roses and pyracantha hedging.
I did bring fifty pots from my old garden, many are what I would describe as fillers.
They need the support of shrubs and evergreens that form the skeletal shape of the garden especially in winter. That is where I would personally spend my money in the beginning. Strong shapes from evergreens and deciduous shrubs that are still interesting bare stemmed together with grasses gives the whole garden a rhythm.
A rough plan in mind, I popped over to Buckingham garden centre for a birthday shopping spree.
My initial focus was on finding some perennials for the scented area. I ended up with three highly fragrant roses (Timeless pink, Rhapsody in Blue & Nostalgia).
I also wanted plenty of scented climbing plants to cover the new fence. Early Dutch honeysuckle is happy with shade, so will be planted closest to the patio, then Scentsation honeysuckle in the middle and finally Star Jasmine at the top filling out the gap until we get to the Ivy near the trees. The fence should smell divine in summer.
On the other side of the garden I wanted a wildlife hedge to provide some cover behind the pond. 14 Pyracantha (Red Column) should do nicely. The thorns on these are already quite vicious, so should give ample protection from cats and squirrels in addition to providing blossom and berries.
Finally I got a pair of self fertile Holly bushes (J.C. Van Tol), these will live in pots until I decide where I want to plant them. Not sure if I want them to become bushes, standards or trees.
So, while I made no progress on the pond, it has been far from a wasted day.