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Here ya go Wendy, sry the other link was defunct so I've scrambled together a record of the pond/waterfall/reedbed/bog pond construction for you to have a scan through ..................
Basically, there were 4 layers for the pond: 1) layer of sand to about 3 or 4 inches 2) fleece lining 3) thick heavy duty rubber pond liner 4) sea pebbles, sandstone slabs. The sides of pond/bog garden/reed bed/waterfall areas all had breeze block construction for support.
First, find yourself a space in the garden !! chalk out the area for your pond and dig a very large hole, stepping it down so you can have a ledge for marginal plants..... and depending on size you may need to hire a digger lol
Here is the general start of construction with the breeze blocks in place and the two pits you can see which took the pumps: 3 pumps in total (two in one pit which are operational constantly for water circulation and trickle flow) one larger pump for high waterfall flow
another angle from t'other end The top ledge of the pond is concreted to give it firm base for final edging slabs
Waterfall also has to have it's own solid base ... (2 tiers and final run off)
You can see the amount of concrete/cement for the walls and also a brick support for the final drop off point into the pond
next the pond area has it's first layer which is sand; this prevents roots, stone, puncturing liner and gives a protection to the subsequent layers.
Fleece layer on top of sand and then thick heavy duty rubber pond liner (preferably one piece so no leaks ! )
construction of waterfall area ....
you'll tons of topsoil as deep as the whole waterfall level is reached with soil ! We had it as a rockery area with stones placed within the topsoil
Sandstone from Yorkshire was used for waterfall construction (aesthetics) giving natural look and it was crazy-paved on run off with large sea pebbles and rocks placed to make it more natural looking; each stone was cemented into place
Reed bed was 3 - 4ft deep filled with washed gravel fleece liner to reed bed; there is another mini waterfall step run off to reed bed at the end which empties back into the pond; the water circulates constantly through a large filter via pumps.
bog garden is to the right of the gravel reed bed
top sandstone slabs on edges along with fill in boulders, sea pebbles, etc.,
testing the waterfall flow and pumps !! the green tube you can see at bottom of photo is what takes water from pump to filter (16,000 Aquamax pump and 30,000 Oase UV filtoclear which is hidden on rockery to side of waterfall)
the other pumps are an 8,000 Aquamax (this and the 16,000 pumps are running all the time) and there is a larger 40,000 high volume pump which boosts the waterfall onto max flow but at £5 a day to run we don't use it very often - only when visitors arrive lol
Constructed during one of the coldest winters on record, starting on 17th October 2011 and finally finished on 3rd February 2012 ----- in the fog lol !!!
Our thanks to Harry Levy from The Pond Company (Aughton, Lancashire) and the lads, Gary, Dan and Tom for all their hard work in freezing miserable conditions. I have never seen such quality work done through one of the coldest winters ever.
This was originally the show garden from Tatton RHS show 2011 rebuilt into our garden but with added bog garden and reed bed
and today, this is the area now planted .......................
will add the water lilies and crocosmia which brighten up the bog garden lol
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Regards, Hazel
Wonderful, Hazel! I remember your earlier thread but very much enjoyed reading and seeing the story of the pond construction again.
Kind regards, Ann
In reply to Gardenbirder:
Good luck Wendy I hope you keep a record like Hazel has done.
My Flickr photos
In reply to Alan:
Although I've seen it before it's still jaw dropping to see what was done. Doesn't it look fabulous now it's matured and with all the planting.
Something to aspire to, Wendy??
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Regards,Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Many thanks aitch, am sure that Mick will faint away from sheer exhaustion after seeing this!! Lol
Alan W said: Good luck Wendy I hope you keep a record like Hazel has done.
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
In reply to WendyBartter:
I can always dream TJ!!
lol, thanks all, I had deleted my old Flickr. account which had the link on it to the pond construction so scrambled this one together for Wendy and Mick to see. Don't think it matters if you build a large or a small pond, even a bucket of water attracts wildlife and it's just the idea around it that appeals to me with planting for wildlife and adding a feature no matter what size a garden can take. I have a tiny wooden water barrel at the far stumpery area and that has already been well used by birds, Cyrils and a frog !! It's nice if you can have running water as the sound adds to the aesthetics and a bit of planting around it with ferns and evergreens really adds visually. I think even if I had just a balcony, I would have a water feature of some sort and some plants, the birds will be grateful for a thimble full of water !!
Was my Aussie nephew's 18th birthday today and he was having a get-together with his pals in the garden. This little interesting lizard was trying to gate-crash the outside party so thought you would like to see it lol
Nice eh ?? Central Bearded Dragon More info HERE
In reply to HAZY:
That’s not a pond Hazel, that's a small Loch.!! You could put a few Pedalo's in and charge tuppence a go for additional funds towards the bird food.!! As an added benefit you’d get to wear a hat and blow a whistle every twenty minutes. :-) Your garden is looking glorious; well worth all the hard work and expense. I loved the small digger, my back is starting to protest just thinking about the hole I dug for my pond.!!
Are you putting a pond in Wendy? I’m planning to take a pile of oxygenators out of mine at some point (they’ve been growing like mad); you’re more welcome to a bunch or two if you need them to get you started. No planting required, just bung them in the water.!!
I hope you don’t mind if I add a few shots of my pond Hazel; I don’t think I’ve really posted any shots since the initial build? The Foxglove wasn’t planted there; they just pop up in the garden in different places in different years.!! We had another Frog last week (not as large as our first one, Phileas) and have also had Great Diving Beetles amongst a myriad of other swimmy, crawly, buzzy, fluttery things. :-)
The Bearded Dragon is an impressive creature, sort of reminds of a girl I dated many years ago.......a lovely smile but you wouldn't be comfortable hand feeding her marshmallows at a birthday party.!! :-)
My bird photos HERE
In reply to Paul A:
lol Paul, I love the idea of pedalo's and calling "come in number 7" .... don't give me ideas lol !!! I do have a whistle but that's to call Mike to heel !
I just love the photos of your pond and how it has matured, looking absolutely fantastic and at least you can take great satisfaction in having done all the work yourself - all I did was cook hot meals every day for the workers and take them cups of tea every two hours !
Paul A said:The Bearded Dragon is an impressive creature, sort of reminds of a girl I dated many years ago.......a lovely smile but you wouldn't be comfortable hand feeding her marshmallows at a birthday party.!! :-)
........... just think what creatures could visit your pond if you lived in Australia :) Red back spiders, death Adders, maybe a great white shark LOL !!!
Stop it you two, still have a very bad cough you know!!
N-u-r-s-e quick with the oxygen! Roflol
Oo, you are awful, Paul! Lovely pond, though. Do you have mini pedalos in it?!
Wendy, I'm choking, too...ack, ack!
Hazel, Amazing animal, but I'm not sure I'd want that little critter in my garden. Wouldn't want to go barefoot and accidentally step on it. I prefer furred or feathered sort of critter and for my dinosaurs to have feathers!