Most gardens, however small, are improved with the addition of a pond. Including water in your garden will encourage beneficial wildlife, and will create a wonderful backdrop to summer entertaining. At Garden4less, we stock the full range of Hozelock pumps and pond equipment which will ensure your pool stays healthy and crystal clear. Our guide will enable you to build a simple water feature from scratch with the minimum of effort and expense.
Safety and situation
It is important to consider the layout and general feel of your garden when deciding to add water. Geometric shaped ponds look best gardens which have straight-edged landscaping, whereas an irregular shaped pool will suit an informal scheme. If your garden combines both a wilderness and some formal areas, try a circular pool which will suit almost any situation. It is advisable to site your water feature in a sunny part of the garden this ensures that aquatic plants will receive the light they need in order to thrive. Wherever you choose to build, the appearance of the pond will be greatly improved if you attempt to blend it into the environment with clever planting.
It goes without saying that children should always be supervised around water. In fact, it is inadvisable to add a pool to your garden if you have family members younger than four. Instead, try one of our stunning solar water features, such as the slate fountain, which will provide the relaxing sound of water without the danger. The lions head design will look superb when used in a formal garden, or try our sunjet fountain perfect for including in a water feature of your own design.
Getting started
Once you have decided where and what type of pond to build, begin by marking out your chosen area boundaries with a length of hosepipe or a line of sand, so you know where to dig.
1.Dig out your chosen shape to the required depth and check that it is level it is worth taking a time over this, as the pond will look better if the water comes exactly to the top of the liner all the way round.
2.Remove sharp stones (which might pierce the liner) from the bed of the pond before adding a pond underlay which is rot and root resistant. You can use heavy sand, but since it is penetrable by rocks and organic matter, underlay is a better long-term solution.
3.Now lay your liner into the hole, over the underlay. Work round the pond folding and tucking to achieve a neat finish; then add water.
4.When full, cut off excess liner with a sharp knife. Be sure to leave at least fifteen centimetres excess around the edge of the pond this can then be covered with soil and planted or disguised with attractive rocks.
1.To create varied habitats within your pond, create gently sloping shallows. Deep water is fine, but a number of different depths will attract a wider range of creatures.
Planting
A well-planted pond will blend into its environment. Once you have added aquatic and marginal plants, consider which varieties will help the outer area blend into your garden. For an informal pond, sow Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin. This attractive wild flower thrives in damp, pond-side conditions. Hesperis matronalis is another good choice which can be grown in full sun or part-shade. This wild flower has spikes of purple and lilac flowers which are loved by butterflies. This variety also boasts a delicious sweet and spicy scent which will fill the evening air with perfume. As well as naturalising your pond, surrounding it with wild flowers and tall plants also provides hiding places for frogs, toads and newts all of which will help to control pests in your garden. If you are aiming to create a wildlife haven, it may be best to avoid goldfish since they can dirty the water too much for other creatures. There will, however, be plenty to admire in the animals that automatically flock to your pool. Expect to see water boatmen, aquatic snails, whirligig beetles and dragonflies as well as frogs and toads.
Introducing animal life
Although fish may not be an ideal choice for wildlife, they will add a splash of vibrant orange to your formal, or semi-formal pond. If you have plenty of space, the classic Koi carp are arguably the most stunning species with which to stock your pool. For smaller amounts of water, Shubunkins and Golden Orfe will provide a beautiful display but always check how large your fish will grow to avoid overpopulation.
When keeping fish, good pond maintenance is essential. We stock a huge range of Hozelock filters (link) which will keep your water clear and your fish healthy. A combined pump and filter (link) will provide constant movement to avoid your water becoming stagnant. If your pond develops excessive algae, the Hozelock UV filter (link) represents a sophisticated solution and excellent value for money. Remove excessive amounts of weed by hand, and remember to feed your fish (link to fish food) and you will be enjoying your pond (and its inhabitants!) for years to come.
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