Post by Psamathe on May 4, 2020 8:44:07 GMT
I'm thinking of building a pond but I have some concerns I'm hoping for some input on.
I have plenty of space but my very unkempt garden already takes a fair amount of work (and costs as I'm often away for months at a time and have to pay others to "maintain") and I'm not keen on adding to the work.
1. How much maintenance does a pond take? Including e.g. weeding around the rock surrounds (no weedkiller?), avoiding grass cuttings being thrown into the pond and damaging the environment, etc.?
2a. In East Anglia summers can be dry and pond would likely need topping-up but for a larger pond I don't have enough roof/water butts to use rainwater. Avoiding tap water, what could I use to top-up.
2b. Initial fill - as above, I assume tap-water is not good, though as it would start without wildlife could I get away with tap water as the chlorine, etc. would gradually depart and wildlife might delay using it or would the use it and suffer?
I've seen wildaboutthebritishisles.uk/thread/2458/pondful-bad-water about chloramine and ... according to waterquality.anglianwater.com/map.aspx I'm not chloraminated (no fluoride either) but do I trust them (wearing my tin foil hat)?
4. Fair number of flints in the clay - would a fleece barrier thing under the pond liner be adequate? I've been assuming I'd have stepped edges where you can't line with sand or better just to have sloping sides (more natural)?
5. I have a fair number of deciduous trees and hedges around (and other trees that lose their leaves) - will this increase the work even more of is it a case of ponds in the wild have trees and wildlife copes?
6. I'm not limited on space and was considering something up to 50cm at deepest. Do I need gentle slopes all the way round of just around some banks?
Sorry for all the questions. Basically I'm looking for any information as I've probably overlooked loads of considerations. My Google searches show plenty of sites that go on about digging the hole, adding sand, liner - the mechanics of construction but not much on design for wildlife use.
Still undecided and I've assumed there is no rush as lockdown is likely long term and if I make one it's a long term thing.
Many thanks
Ian
I have plenty of space but my very unkempt garden already takes a fair amount of work (and costs as I'm often away for months at a time and have to pay others to "maintain") and I'm not keen on adding to the work.
1. How much maintenance does a pond take? Including e.g. weeding around the rock surrounds (no weedkiller?), avoiding grass cuttings being thrown into the pond and damaging the environment, etc.?
2a. In East Anglia summers can be dry and pond would likely need topping-up but for a larger pond I don't have enough roof/water butts to use rainwater. Avoiding tap water, what could I use to top-up.
2b. Initial fill - as above, I assume tap-water is not good, though as it would start without wildlife could I get away with tap water as the chlorine, etc. would gradually depart and wildlife might delay using it or would the use it and suffer?
I've seen wildaboutthebritishisles.uk/thread/2458/pondful-bad-water about chloramine and ... according to waterquality.anglianwater.com/map.aspx I'm not chloraminated (no fluoride either) but do I trust them (wearing my tin foil hat)?
4. Fair number of flints in the clay - would a fleece barrier thing under the pond liner be adequate? I've been assuming I'd have stepped edges where you can't line with sand or better just to have sloping sides (more natural)?
5. I have a fair number of deciduous trees and hedges around (and other trees that lose their leaves) - will this increase the work even more of is it a case of ponds in the wild have trees and wildlife copes?
6. I'm not limited on space and was considering something up to 50cm at deepest. Do I need gentle slopes all the way round of just around some banks?
Sorry for all the questions. Basically I'm looking for any information as I've probably overlooked loads of considerations. My Google searches show plenty of sites that go on about digging the hole, adding sand, liner - the mechanics of construction but not much on design for wildlife use.
Still undecided and I've assumed there is no rush as lockdown is likely long term and if I make one it's a long term thing.
Many thanks
Ian