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Garden Pond Construction The construction of a garden pond demands considerable care and attention, but is well within the capabilities of most practical gardeners. There are a number of different methods of construction, each having virtues from both a practical and aesthetic point of view. The most important factors in pond construction are ensuring that the structure is secure and water-tight, and that the accommodation afforded is suitable for the plants and fishes that it is intended to introduce. Planting a Garden Pond Waterlilies and other aquatic plants can be planted successfully at any time from early spring into the summer. It is preferable to plant in early spring as then it is possible to achieve a good display during the succeeding summer. All aquatic plants enjoy a heavy soil, so use a clay-loam soil from the garden or a proper formulated aquatic planting compost. Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner A pond liner is a flexible waterproof membrane that covers the floor and the sides of a pond excavation. There are several different kinds to choose from. Polyethylene is useful when sandwiched between two layers of soil, while PVC, composition and rubber liners are the types to use for a clean pond lining when the aquatic plants are to be grown in containers. Most ponds can be constructed from most pond liners, but in some circumstances one will offer particular advantages over another. Maintaining Water Quality in a Garden Pond The management of water and the maintenance of its quality is the most crucial element in successful water gardening. A garden pond is an almost self-contained ecosystem which only interacts with the atmosphere for the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. The toxic wastes that are released into the water have to be broken down otherwise they soon reach levels which are harmful to fish and other aquatic creatures. Coping With Algae in the Garden Pond Algae presents one of the greatest potential problems for the gardener with a pond. There are many different species of algae, but from a practical pond management point of view they can be conveniently divided into two groups: suspended and filamentous. Suspended algae are mostly minute single-celled species that cause a green algal bloom in the water, turning it like pea soup. Filamentous algae includes species variously referred to as Spirogyra, Silkweed, Blanketweed and Mermaid’s Hair. Choosing Fish for the Garden Pond Once a new garden pond has been planted and the waterlilies and other aquatic plants have been established for four or five weeks, ornamental fish can be introduced. There is no minimum number of fish necessary for a pond, although without any fish at all it will become a nursery for mosquitoes and there will be little chance of controlling aquatic insect pests. Even for the pond-keeper with little interest in ornamental fish, it is prudent to introduce half a dozen merely to control insect life. Making a New Lawn From Seed or Sod A lawn is one of the most important features in a garden. It provides an important refreshing green foil for colorful flowering plants and a place for the family to relax and play. However, in order for it to be a success, much careful thought and preparation are necessary during its establishment. Sowing an Annual Flower Border Hardy annuals are wonderful colorful plants for providing a summer-long display. Some kinds can also be sown during the fall with a view to providing late spring and early summer blossoms as well, especially in warmer districts. However, most gardeners have to create an annual border from a spring sowing in order to produce a summer spectacle. Constructing a Rock Garden A rock garden should be constructed in an open sunny and well-drained position in the garden. No matter what size or shape it takes a rock garden must embrace the principles of a moraine. It should not be a mound of soil with rocks placed indiscriminately on it, but a collection of free-draining debris mixed with a gritty soil that is distributed through and around a rocky structure. Such an arrangement provides the perfect conditions for growing a wide array of fascinating mountain-dwelling plants. Constructing a Garden Path A well-laid path is essential for the successful management of every garden. The direction that it takes must be very clearly thought through to ensure its efficiency. It must be arranged so that there are no temptations to cut corners across the lawn or flower beds and yet as far as possible it should be unobtrusive. It is also essential that it is properly constructed with a strong foundation.