Introduction to building ponds, waterfalls, water garden features
THE secrets of getting it right start at the basic foundations of any water garden, whether you choose preformed units or flexible liner materials.
If you are contemplating building a water garden for yourself or if you are wondering why your last efforts were such a disaster, there may be just a small key point of technique in the installation of the liner that may have been missed.
FROM THE WORD GO: PLANNING
When it comes to planning a water garden, this needs to be done on site and with a tape and a piece of hose or even string, map the shape out on the ground. This will help you see how it looks from various parts of the garden and especially the house. For 6 months of the year this is from where you will see it most.
If the terrain of the garden is sloping away from the main viewpoint or if you are planning a raised water feature, formal or informal, hammer in several pegs around the extremities of the shape level with each other and indicating the final proposed water level. This will give you some idea as to how level the site is, how much water you will see and how much building up is required. If it is a matter of all digging in and down, then conduct one or two exploratory excavations to check the going, possible bedrock and to provide peace of mind in respect to drains and power conduits.
PREFORMED OR FLEXIBLE LINER? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
Size and shape for the chosen area, there may be the just the shape amongst the array of preformed pools on offer that fits your conception perfectly. On the other hand, armed with your dimensions, you will possibly find that those preformed pools stacked up in racks at the garden centre that look so vast, would seem pretty insignificant in your allotted space.
Price. There is not a lot of difference in the cost square foot for square foot, and properly installed the life expectancy is pretty similar. In fact if you were to construct a water garden according to the coffee-table books on the subject littering the shelves of bookshops, in a situation like a perfectly level lawn against a backdrop of a solid stone wall, with a neat stone edging surround and a rockery at the back, the time and effort of installation is pretty much the same too.
PREFORMED POOLS
Size limitation. Even the largest sizes of plastic pools are difficult to install level. Very large fibreglass pools are very heavy. Seem easier to install in loose uneven ground. Easier to keep cleanFLEXIBLE LINERS
Can be any shape and any size Need a skeletal framework of blockwork or concrete to cope with loose soil or uneven ground. Can be made to look more natural by facing the inside with rockery. You can even line it with soil. Marginal plant shelf can be where ever you choose. Easily incorporate such features as jetties, decking, stonewalls, brick or wood facing and beaches.