Today, we are going to show you how to build a simple DIY water feature using pond membrane,
concrete blocks and these limestone look cap stones.
Have a look how it's done.
The first thing to do is measure and mark the position of the pond, so it's centred
on the rear of the courtyard.
I then dig out the hole, ready to place the blocks.
Now even though it's a fairly small pond, it's going to make a reasonably big hole in
the ground, we're gonna back fill with some of the dirt but the rest I have to barrow
away or find Dene to do it for me.
Dene, you there Dene?
Sadly the day I choose to make the water feature, Dene is nowhere to be seen.
Ok, the hole is looking pretty good.
Now we have got to check the size, it's got to be slightly over size because we are gonna
put the plastic membrane behind the blocks so I'll just check it.
A final check for size before I place the blocks.
And of course they need to be level.
We leave a gap at the sides and back because the membrane is gonna fold down into that
hole.
The we'll back fill over it to keep it in place.
Right more blocks.
The good thing about this style of pond construction is that you don't need any mortar so it's
fairly quick and luckily for me it's the kind of job you can do on your own.
Ok, there is all the blocks placed roughly, I'm going to level them up and back fill a
bit to make sure they're firm.
Now I'm going to dig more out of the centre of the pond so that the plants are deep enough
and then we'll trim the membrane then put it in place and still no sign of Dene.
Dene!
With a dry lay system like this, it's very important to back fill into the cavities.
It helps stabilise the blocks and makes them sit more firmly underneath the cap stone.
Ok, we are just about ready for the membrane.
Be careful, pick up any sharp pieces because that could pierce the membrane and all the
water leaks out, you have to keep filling it up.
That's bad.
Care needs to be taken when you positioning the membrane.
It's a heavy duty pond grade vinyl but sharp edges can still pierce it.
Ok, so that's firmly in place, it's got plenty of room to move so when the water goes in
it won't stretch and tear it.
Now we just back fill around the edges to hold it in place.
The soil will hold the membrane in position until I place the bull nose style stone capping.
I have allowed an overhang of about 75mm to mask the edge of the membrane.
The cap stones, they look great, the bull nose, beautiful.
Now it's time for the water, now if Dene were here, he could turn the water on for me.
Dene.
That’ll take a while to fill, then we'll come back and do some more.
Is that you Dene?
While I'm waiting for the pond to fill, I position and dig in the plant.
Add my style stone path and backfill with crushed brick.
The crushed brick is great, it helps to keep the plants nice and moist and the red clay
colour looks great as a contrast to the pond surround.
Well that's the garden planted out, it's really beginning to take shape.
We've got the stepping stones in place and the crushed brick, it not only looks good
it really works well as a mulch for the plants.
Now all we have to do is put the water plants in and something to circulate the water so
I'll get those.
These water lilies are great.
But while you're making your pond make sure that they stay completely immersed in water.
If they come out they dry out really quickly and they are very fragile.
Ok, the plants are all in, they are looking great, now we need something to make the water
oxygenate it and keep it fresh.
So we have found this clever little solar fountain which is brilliant.
It's got 10 meters of lead so we can actually run that to somewhere where the sun shines,
because it doesn't shine down here, this is in a court yard.
We can even take it up on the roof, get enough sun and get the fountain working so I'll just
get somebody to help.
Dene, do you wanna connect this now?
K.
Piece of cake.
Ok, Dene away she goes.
Look at that, it's great isn't it.
That's the pond, really that simple you can do it yourself.