An idea, but I need advice......

[Plocket]

It depends on what plants you get CB. Edging plants are probably better off planted but marginals and deeper water plants would probably be best in containers. You'll need to look at what you get to see whether they need potting up - and you are best getting proper "water plant" containers, and proper soil for water plants - it's heavier than soil but your supplier should have bags of the stuff in stock. The pots have lots of holes so that the water can get in more easily, and you will also have to weight them down. Be careful what plants you get too because the fish will eat them. Hopefully you've got a good supplier who you can chat to.

[blackrose]

Thanks Plocket I will keep that in mind for when I go to the GC to plant up.

Will be having a shallow area with pebbles so could put some edging plants in there too.

[Deleted]

Yes straight in CB

Don't forget to include a planting shelf as not all plants like deep water. Some plants love deep water BTW The diagram Andy posted is a brilliant guide for you.
You can't really have too many plants, they help to keep down blanket weed
All fish will grow CB and quickly if the conditions are right. But you should let your pond settle and the plants establish before adding any fish.

Have you thought about filtration for your pond yet?

[Deleted]

Koi will eat plants, but Orfe and goldfish won't - your pond won't be deep enough for Koi, as they ideally need between 3.5 ft and 4 ft depth of water.

It is important that any gravel you use on the tops of your pots isn't sharp or it could damage your liner.

[blackrose]

Thanks Rita......
Filtration, no hadn't thought of that, help....
I would be using pebbles for the weight for the pots and to cover some areas of the pond floor to provide areas for insects and for the fish to scrounge around, the fish would be just little Sticklebacks, etc. but these would not be added till the pond has established and some insect life is showing signs of growth.

Yes Andy's plan will be help and I have already taken a print out for reference.

I may have enough info now to start on the project soon.

[Deleted]

Wild sticklebacks will pose a serious health risk to goldfish though CB Which I know from bitter experience

A true wildlife pond would only contain indigenous flora and fauna BTW, so that excludes goldfish. Also a wildlife pond wouldn't need any filtration.

[blackrose]

Thanks Rita, at the moment I only plan to stick with the small sticklebacks and if in the future if I planned some goldfish I'd have them removed back to where they originated and the water treated in readiness for the goldfish if need be.

[madonplants]

blackrose said:

Thanks Rita, at the moment I only plan to stick with the small sticklebacks and if in the future if I planned some goldfish I'd have them removed back to where they originated and the water treated in readiness for the goldfish if need be.

Not sure you are allowed to do this, so think before you stock. It is down to disease spreading, or should I say the fear of disease spreading. It's like fish going to a pond from a river after flooding occurs, you can't put them back in the river! Silly really.

Keith

[Deleted]

Quote from this website

Sticklebacks and other fish will eliminate great crested newts from your pond

[blackrose]

With all this advice I'm getting here I'm itching to make a start but at the moment I've no where to put the earth removed from pond area. I will reuse some of the turf around some of the edging with stone or small slabs for the rest, leaving a beached area shallow enough for bathing birds.

[madonplants]

When I build mine, I have always hired a skip and then it is surprising how much else you get rid of that otherwise you would have kept.

Keith

[blackrose]

Another thing that has sprung to mind with all this wet weather, is it easy to deal with excess water, can an overflow be placed into the edging taking excess away from surrounding beddings.
What is the best way to deal with this problem

[Deleted]

rita said:

I would recommend a semi-raised pond, as run off from a garden into a pond can cause problems and effect the natural balance of the water. Care is also needed when using any chemicals or feeds on a lawn for the same reason. Oh and don't forget an overflow too.