If you want to build a small round or square pond, your lining choice is easy. Manufacturers offer preformed solid liners, much like a child's small wading pool. Drop these liners into the hole and your pond is halfway done. However, if you want something larger or in a more creative shape, you'll need to use a plastic pond liner. These tough, flexible plastic sheets form a base in holes of any shape, creating the lining to a pond of your own design.
Outline your pond shape with a garden hose. Once you are satisfied with the shape, sprinkle the grass along the hose line with flour to mark the shape, then remove the hose.
Dig out the grass and soil inside the outline. Dig down to a depth of about 1 foot. Make the sides of the hole angle up gradually toward the top. Use a level to make sure the ground is flat, especially around the edges.
Move inward 8 to 12 inches and dig at least 12 inches deeper. The outside edge will serve as a shelf to hold aquatic plants. Keep the wall of the pond between the upper and lower levels at an angle, just as in the first level. Use a level to check the bottom surface of the hole and add or remove soil until it's completely level throughout the entire pond.
Fill the bottom of the pond and the shelf level with a 1-inch layer of sand. Use the level to make sure it's even. Add one-half inch of newspaper sheets on top of the sand. These layers will cushion the bottom of the pond and help prevent rocks or sticks from poking holes through the pond liner.
Lay the pond liner over the hole with at least 3 feet of lining hanging over the edge on all sides. Push the liner down into the hole, smoothing the bottom as much as possible. Take your shoes off or wear soft-soled shoes and get inside a larger pond to manipulate the liner into all the crevices and angles.
Fill the pond halfway with water. Move and stretch the liner as the pond fills to eliminate any folds or creases that may begin to develop. Once the bottom of the pond liner is arranged correctly, continue filling the pond and do the same thing with the liner that covers the plant shelf.
Cut off the excess pond liner, leaving at least 12 inches hanging over the edge on all sides. Cover this excess with large stones, flagstones or river rocks.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hose
- Large stones
- Add a pump, fountain, waterfall or fish to personalize your own custom pond.
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