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by: Gerry Fung
Liner
ponds are ideal for the experienced water gardener
because they allow for very forgiving installations,
which consequently promotes greater creativity. However,
for the very same reasons, liner ponds also require some
extra pre-planning. Before you commence a liner pond
project, you should purchase a pond liner that is of the
appropriate size for your pond dimensions. To determine
the appropriate liner size, it is recommended that you
use a pond liner calculator. To follow are instructions
and tips on how you can install your very own liner
pond.
It is recommended that you
purchase an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
liner that is at least 45 mil in thickness. EPDM is a
highly stable material that stays flexible in
temperatures from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 175 degrees
Fahrenheit. Unlike other liner materials, it does not
contain plasticizers that could cause it to become
brittle with age. EPDM will also last longer than other
liner materials because it is resistant to the harmful
effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV), and it has high
expansion and contraction characteristics that enable it
to conform to rocks and tree roots in the earth sub
grade.
Once you have designed the
pond on paper, and purchased all the necessary
materials, you should start by marking the outline of
the pond with rope or a garden hose. Start by digging a
coping shelf around the perimeter of the pond. The
coping shelf will help to hold the boulder, rockwork,
and the liner overlay into place. The coping shelf
should be approximately 2" deep and 16 to 18 inches
wide. It is recommended that you utilize a square shovel
to dig the coping shelf, because round or sharp-pointer
shovels can leave small furrows in the dirt.
After ensuring that the coping
shelf is level all around the pond, dig a bog shelf for
plants. Most ponds are designed with shelves 9" to 12"
below the water level. Afterwards, the center (I.e.
deepest area) of the pond should be dug. The deep area
should slope in approximately 20 degrees from the
vertical.
Prepare the hole for the liner
by removing sharp stones or roots. At this point, you
have the option of lining the excavation with pond
underlayment. Although it is not mandatory, underlayment
helps to cover the entire surface, to protect the liner
from below. Liner underlayment does not need to be in a
single piece, hence smaller pieces can be overlapped.
However, it is recommended that you tape smaller
underlayment pieces together, to keep the pieces from
moving after the liner is placed on top.
The liner should be carefully
laid-out into the hole. Although a 45 mil liner is thick
and durable, care must be taken to make certain that the
liner is not damaged or punctured during installation.
Unlike the underlayment, the liner must be a single
unbroken sheet. Try to minimize the folding and pleating
of the liner, because folds have the potential to trap
dirt and debris. A perfectly intact liner should last
for 40 years before it begins to deteriorate.
Now you're ready to fill the
pond with water! As you're filling the pond, stop the
hose periodically to smooth out wrinkles in the liner.
After the pond has been filled, you can cut off any
excess liner, but make sure that enough material is left
to allow the liner to extend over the coping shelf (and
underneath whatever edging is planned). The liner can be
anchored with boulders, or long nails around its edge.
Edging materials should be applied around the liner to
weigh it down, which has the added benefit of giving
your pond a natural look.
At this point, the most
difficult part of the installation has been completed.
All that remains to be done is to install the pump, and
decorate around the pond. However, if you find yourself
with an uncontrollable urge to expand your water garden,
you should definitely consider the installation of a
cascade or waterfall.
For more information on
installing a liner pond, please go to http://www.gardensupermart.com/tips.asp. About The Author
Gerry Fung is the Vice President of GardenSM.com. GardenSM.com has a website at http://www.gardenSM.com.
Liner pond kits,
complete with liner, appropriately sized pump, and
fountain heads, can be purchased from GardenSM.com’s
website at http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/c229944.2.html. |
