The Poultry Keeper

Viv · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 264 Location: Northumberland

Hi, I'm really wanting to landscape my garden this year (Haven't got a clue where to start) but will attempt to do it in stages and will try to work out a proceedure of sorts. I've always wanted a pond shallow edges, edged with stone (Got loads left from dry stone walling) and a little deeper in centre. Don't really want fish just to watch wild life etc... BUT is it practical when you don't have a stream ? I have a volunteer to dig my hole out with machinery, then use appropriate liner, then fill with water and plant up. This possibly sounds really daft but if it rains real heavy in certain months is it likely to totally overflow ? I'm trying to work out if I really want to go ahead with this venture from a practical viewpoint and not do it on a wim Rolling Eyes

Any advice or folk with experience of ponds I'd love to hear your comments Wink

Magpie · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 541 Location: Norfolk

I've always had a pond, not big, perhaps 2-3m across with a butyl liner. Never had it overflow in the winter though! Make sure it is deep enough, at least 80cm and preferably 1.2m.

Put some native underwater plants in and some that float on the top. You need about 50% surface cover or the water goes green. Try and keep autumn leaves out as well.

good luck

Tim

Viv · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 264 Location: Northumberland

Thanks Tim, Yup I'm going for it, think I'm going to persuade the farmer to sell me a little more land which will give me more room for my chooks and give me my garden back. Also enable me to dig pond well away from the tree lined lane, the westerlies cause a lot of leaves to fall across the garden. Final problem re digging in borders is the rabbits Evil or Very Mad

Magpie · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 541 Location: Norfolk

Rabbits - I know all about those! Caught 8 in the last 10 days in two cage traps though, and we are supposed to be fenced Rolling Eyes

Tim