[stephenc]

We've just installed a hard liner pond purchased from Dobbies Lisburn. It's around 8 foot x 2 foot and we've set it into a sloping back lawn in Carrickfergus. We've also laid beside it, a tree trunk which has just been cut.

The problem is that we just don't have the imagination to make something really special of it which is why I'm posting here.

The main problems are -

1 How do we finish the sides particularly around the edges that are raised?
2 How do we integrate the tree trunk so that it looks part of the overall design and not out of place?
3 How do we use it all to encourage wildlife? (The pond is now full of tadpoles, we feed the birds and we have hedgehogs.)

Sorry about the poor quality photos taken from my phone.

[tippben]

I'd definitely use the large log as the main feature of a logpile next to the pond. This will provide excellent shelter for all sorts of wildlife, including newly emerged frogs. The edges seem a bit high, but in addition to logs, stones are an excellent way of screening edges, while again providing habitat. Plants like water mint can grow over the edges and into the pond.

I'd let some of the lawn remain unmowed, to grow tall, and provide more shelter, which can be added to by including ornamental grasses and rushes. You should get some "emergent" plants, which stand in the water, but grow out of it, as dragonflies need these to emerge.

Remember that you want at least half the pond in decent sun for most of the day, and about 50% vegetation cover in the water. I'll try to post a picture of what we did with our little pond.

[vulkan]

If it were mine, I would make it at least look level, fill in the "holes" around the sides and remove the overgrown bird perch.

Level



From this angle it does not look level at all.


Holes



From here you can clearly see the underside of the "rigid liner" not only does it greatly spoil the look, it is giving it no support what so ever.

Bird perch



Of what use is it? It looks like it has just been dumped there with no thought what so ever. As its already dead it is only going to rot and decay and collapse and some will make its way into the pond. Rotting matter in a pond is NEVER good. Also, before it falls apart it gives birds somewhere to perch, birds will poop on it and in the pond, they will also be able to sit and watch the pond and "pick off" any wildlife / livestock. Put it at the back of the garden, not near the pond.

Well done
I admire you for trying, it could be a nice wildlife pond with a bit more work. (see above) But what ever you do, don't lay paving slabs around the edge, not only will they not be level they will look out of place around a wildlife pond, but don't let the grass grow too much either otherwise you will just be surrounding it with a ring of grass, maybe a few "wild flowers"

[stephenc]

Thanks to tippben and vulkan for differing opinions and thoughts. The pond it level as the water line shows, it's just the garden is not!

As you whether the log adds or takes away is very much subjective.

I wonder what it would cost to have a professional designer look at it and where I might find one?

[vulkan]

Why do you want a professional designer? at the end of the day it's you that has to look at it, not the designer.

They will either say the "log" stays or it goes, oh that's 500 euro please.

Why not wait a while and see what others think?, that's another 100 euro please.

[stephenc]

Money well spent vulkan, cheque is in the post

[Greengage]

you need to talk to ponddigger. he seems the expert here on this type of thing, find him on members list and ask he is very helpful and enthuastic. Dont mind above post its always easy to knock people.

[stephenc]

I'm grateful for all comments Greengage, thanks

[ponddigger]

hi stephenc.looking at your photos.of your pond cons.here are a few things you might do.you could put a concrete ring around the pond,then hide it with stones and round stones,see photos ponddigger

[kindredspirit]

How did you lift that enormous piece of wood into the garden?

If you're that strong, could you lift it upright onto its cut end with the rough bit at the top and make a "Stumpery" out of it? If you could do that, it would be a stunning feature. Then plant ferns into little holes in it and plant ferns all around the bottom. Intersperse these with Carex pendula, Bergenia Cordifolia, Loddon Lily, American Skunk Cabbage and Creeping Jenny.

It could be the best looking pond for miles and miles around.

Piccie of Creeping Jenny.

[tippben]

Here is our pond developing. 2009-2012. Laying the pond, Autumn 2009 http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=687.jpg Rocks and logs, 2009. http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=188.jpg Spring 2010 http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=344.jpg Summer 2011 http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=445.jpg Spring 2012 http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=006-1.jpg http://s1144.photobucket.com/albums/o499/Patches110/?action=view&current=003.jpg

[stephenc]

Thanks ponddigger, nice pond but 2 problems I see in comparison to mine. One is that its on level ground which means that you don't need to hide any slope and the other is that mine is a rigid liner which is more difficult to hide. But I do like the way the large and small stones come together. Grassing it up to the stones looks good also but must be really difficult to stop it encroaching into the stones.

It's a good idea of kindredspirit to stand it level, but can you imagine if the kids pushed it over on top of themselves or into the pond. It was heavy to move but we just trailed it on rollers; a bit like the way they moved the Pyramid stones. If you look to the right of the pond in the 1st photo, you'll see the other part of the stump which we did indeed stand upright.

tippben's photos are very nice too but suffer from the same problems I mentioned to ponddigger (level ground and liner) which I'm not sure how I'd deal with, but it's a lovely looking natural pond.

[ponddigger]

hi stephenc,you could use bigger stones where the slope is most,and smaller flatter stones where the slope is least.no problem keeping the grass out of the stones,use a stade or edger .if you leave the tree stump.why not build a little waterfall comming out under the tree stump,you have lots of room.see photos might give you some ideas

[stephenc]

Thanks ponddigger, I can see the South is blessed with natural rocks which certainly help. If I could get some like that to the back it would help to build up the height but then the tree behind it would look out of place.

[ponddigger]

hi stephenc.hope you got some good advice of every body here ,best of luck with your pond cons.please post some photos of your project ponddigger