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Post by andy on Jan 10, 2008 14:10:44 GMT
When we moved into our home some 10 years ago, the sloping front garden just cried out for pond and waterfall. It was built 6 months after moving in...10 feet long by 6 feet wide by max 4 feet deep. The pond is 2 feet above and 2 feet below ground. I've had loads of different fish in there...goldfish, orfe, koi and shubunkins to name a few. But the pond has been in need of serious TLC since last summer when a duckweed outbreak forced me to remove all fish and plants and think about starting again. So....pond in now half drained. I intend to remove all the water, sludge and god knows what and then lay a new liner on top of the old one as i seem to have a slight leek somewhere too.  As mentioned, i also have a rockery and waterfall which was so overgrown with ferns that i couldn't see anything on there. Ferns are now cut back and will be removed soon. The rockery will be removed and redone and the huge acer palmatum dissectum garnet which is over the waterfall has had a trim.  Don't know if i'll have a filter and UV but i might get a small one at some point. When done, the pond will boast lillies, water hawthorn and lots of marginals. Fish will probably be goldfish and shubunkins. Watch this space  |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Jan 10, 2008 16:15:30 GMT
Looking forward to seeing the progress Andy!
S x
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Post by Shrubrose on Jan 10, 2008 19:35:45 GMT
Oooooo, I like this project! Want lots of pictures Andy, pretty please ;D
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Post by dirtyboots on Jan 11, 2008 16:50:43 GMT
Looking forward to seeing more andy
I like the way that the waterfall is beside the steps. I bet it sounds good
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Post by Weeterrier on Jan 12, 2008 16:32:43 GMT
Mmmmmmmmm, bet it doesn't sound so good if you are desperate for a pee  Seriously Andy, I should think you'll get a lot of satisfaction from that job. I'd love a waterfall, but can never be bothered to think of an electricity supply. I'll just look at yours for pleasure ;D |
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Post by carolann on Jan 13, 2008 9:49:31 GMT
Oh Andy it looks like it will be great when you finish it, cant wait to see pic's of your progress. I would leave 1 or 2 of the ferns just to give it a bit more character. Love the heads around the pond. We found one in an old stone wall which was falling down it is Anglo Saxon we think and was 1 of four which they put around their water supply to ward off evil spirits, we call him Nev I'll take a pic and post it sometime.
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Post by Shrubrose on Jan 13, 2008 10:09:08 GMT
Ooo, would love to see that Carol. Do take a pic and post it please  |
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Post by andy on Jan 13, 2008 10:19:06 GMT
Oh Andy it looks like it will be great when you finish it, cant wait to see pic's of your progress. I would leave 1 or 2 of the ferns just to give it a bit more character. The problem with the ferns is thay get to 24-36" tall and end up poking through the top of the gorgeous maple. I used to have some small soft sheild ferns (polystichum) but they've died off. I'll take the ferns out and probably grow some smaller stuff such as epimedium, golden creeping jenny and some small junipers. The ferns were superb when i built the rockery and waterfall but they just get too big now. |
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 13, 2008 11:20:09 GMT
Epimedum is lovely. Golden creeping Jenny is Lysimachia numularia is it not? It is almost like a weed and takes over like mad. perhaps a pretty little annual such as a limnantes ( poached egg plant? ) might be nicer. When you are going to get a new liner in make sure the old one is indeed as leaky as can be or water that gets between the two layers may push the new liner up. But who am I telling this eh.  |
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Post by carolann on Jan 13, 2008 11:20:56 GMT
Sorry to hi-jack your thread Andy, here you go Shrub he is 13 inches tall.    and he is very heavy. |
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Post by Shrubrose on Jan 14, 2008 18:54:26 GMT
Wow! What a fabulous find. He's a very interesting looking chap! Obviously made from local stone? Haven't come across any reference to these 'guardians' before. What do you know about them Carol? Thanks for letting us temporarily hijack your thread Andy |
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Post by flowersfriend on Jan 28, 2008 18:55:43 GMT
Andy, how exciting is that..... it will be fab when you have finished. I agree with Dutchy re the creeping jenny....I made a mistake with that and just can not get rid of it. We built a pond and water fall at the last house, it worked well cause like you we were on a slope.... we had two problems, we built it too far from the house....so did'nt get the pleasure of it all the time. Secondly we put a fountain as well as a waterfall and the poor tadpoles were exhausted swimming against the currant all the time. So we had to turn it off at tadpole time. We have learned our lesson and built a pond here a year ago, near the house, so we can see it in all weathers . We have incorporated two small water features nearby for water noise and interest, without it affecting the taddies..... Don't I go on....sorry, I'll watch your project with interest. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Mar 5, 2008 13:10:45 GMT
Any more pictures Andy?
S x
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Post by andy on Mar 5, 2008 15:45:48 GMT
Sorry Susie...been on hold whilst i devote my time to all my siamese fighting fish.
Also, the weather's not really been too warm....we usually get a few warm days in feb/march but we've had nothing so far. There's nothing like a few warm days to get the sap and enthusiasm rising !!!
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Mar 5, 2008 18:22:53 GMT
I know what you mean Andy but don't forget that your carp need you also S x |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Apr 3, 2008 8:41:36 GMT
Any news of the re-vamp Andy?
S x
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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 3, 2008 13:04:00 GMT
Good luck with the revamp Andy. we did ours last year, nearly killed me. But worth all the effort.
Pics please.
CJ
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Post by andy on Apr 3, 2008 16:12:41 GMT
Nope...weather hasn't exactly been "pond inspiring" stuff...and neither have the finnances !!!
It'll happen though, just not yet
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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 4, 2008 10:24:03 GMT
This was our garden before pond  This is the finished first pond  And this is the pond altered last year. we made the waterfall bigger and changed its direction and made the pond larger.  It is hard work but worth it in the end. we get so much wildlife. And we love to sit out listening to the water, very soothing. CJ |
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Post by Shrubrose on Apr 5, 2008 2:06:08 GMT
Golly, what a project CJ. Looks brilliant. Have you done any planting in and around it? Would love to see an update pic this year |
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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 5, 2008 6:24:10 GMT
Going to put a few plants in the pond, and around the edges. Looks better this year but obviously at the moment its a bit bare. We have a Gunnera at the top of the waterfall, doesnt get too big, but dont want it too. A few hostas and alchemeila molllis dotted around which have self seeded. i want to put some creeping ground cover which will eventually soften the rocks. Not sure what to plant at the moment. Had a few suggestions for the pond planting from Andy which I am seeking out this weekend. This is the only later picture I have at the moment, excuse the black plastic panel, its the neighbors not ours, they have just finished an extension.  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Apr 5, 2008 10:49:58 GMT
Oh lovely, thanks CJ! Can see why wildlife would love it - it's 'naturalising' well and there's plenty of places to potter and to hide |
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Post by Dutchy on Apr 14, 2008 7:35:12 GMT
Incredible how things change over the years.
Your pond has truly become part of the surrounding green.
Lovely.
I do hope your neighbours will remove that black plastic soon.
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Post by andy on May 15, 2008 15:58:55 GMT
Well...the pond is full up with water (i didn't get round to changing the liner), we have some lillies in there and some marginals and the maples are looking superb. No fish as yet but may go out on bank holiday weekend to get some. The plants on the pond edge are for someone elses pond i'm doing up for them this weekend.    |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on May 18, 2008 15:58:51 GMT
Looks fab Andy, well worth the wait for the pictures S x |
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Post by Shrubrose on May 19, 2008 6:13:50 GMT
It does look lovely Andy and as you rightly say, the acers are looking great! |
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