Natural/swim pond

The client contacted us with a large but blank lawn area overlooking the Blackmore vale, they had shown a interest in having a pond but due to the lack of any features in the lawn found it difficult to know where to start.

Starting with a site visit and surveying the ground to check levels and falls I also took note of general aspect and outlook of the lawn.

With the information from the site visit I started designing the new pond and chose the left far corner as the ideal place to place the pond.

The clients agreed to the provisional plans and six months later we stated work.

Step one was to mark the site out and strip the lawn from the top soil, fortunately the land owner of the adjacent fields were happy to take all the soil removed from the site in return for landscaping the undulating field. Any clean topsoil was banked up in the garden to be saved for later.

We were able to pile the sub soil and then swing it over the fence into the field ready for landscaping into the field.

This garden has a wonderful outlook over the Blackmore Vale. As nearly always once we start a project my plans start enhancing as the work progresses and I get more of a feel for the environment.

We now have have underlay liner and overlay in place. Pea shingle is also starting to be added to the base which will give a light appearance to the water and pond. At the far end the waterfall/cascade is starting to take shape. The plumbing is starting to be put in place.

With the primary excavations done we can now start carefully cleaning up the edges and profiles whilst keeping an eye out for any nasty sharp bits of scape metal and rubbish of which we found a lot of on this site, we even found a telegraph pole buried five foot down.

Stone was delivered from a local quarry which we are starting to place on the cascade and waterfall which will be fed from what will be the planted area. Some plants will also be planted on the shelves in the main pond .

Most of the stone is now in place on the vertical faces and pea gravel on the horizontal shelves. The bank from the start of excavations has been softened and the top soil which we saved from the start has graded out over the subsoil.

It is very pleasing to see the pond filling with water, it will soon be time to switch on the pumps.

From this angle the planted area is clearly visible. This area is very important for the general health of the pond water with the plants feeding on nutrients which can cause water impurities and discolour.

An area for seating and maybe a patio (in the future) will be a lovely space to enjoy the pond and view, especially in the evening with the sun setting to the right of the picture.

My Part in this construction is just about done, pond is nearly full, water pumps are on and all's good. The clients are taking it on from here, finishing around the pond edge, and going on from there to planting shrubs and trees to enhance the garden and to frame some of the distant country side to give alterative views as you walk around the garden.

I made a new Friend

This project will give the clients years of pleasure both in the pond and out, giving everlasting interest as they continue year on year, bit by to build on this start for themselves and for entertaining family and friends.