| A pond liner is a flexible waterproof membrane that | | | | outline has been created by eye, then create a point |
| covers the floor and the sides of a pond excavation. | | | | at one end using a stake knocked firmly into the soil |
| There are several different kinds to choose from. | | | | as a marker.The installation of a pond liner is the |
| Polyethylene is useful when sandwiched between | | | | same for all materials except polythene. This needs |
| two layers of soil, while PVC, composition and rubber | | | | molding completely to the shape of the excavation |
| liners are the types to use for a clean pond lining | | | | before water is added as it has little flexibility. Other |
| when the aquatic plants are to be grown in | | | | materials used for pond lining are very flexible and |
| containers.Most ponds can be constructed from most | | | | when carefully installed mold to the contours of the |
| pond liners, but in some circumstances one will offer | | | | excavation with the weight of added water. When |
| particular advantages over another. Where no part of | | | | digging ensure that the walls of the excavation |
| the liner is exposed, then polyethylene is perfectly | | | | remain as solid as possible. Replacing or filling with soil |
| adequate. It need not be a specially manufactured | | | | and attempting to compact it once disturbed is very |
| pond liner, any heavy gauge polyethylene will be | | | | difficult. Ideally the excavation should be carved out |
| sufficient. That commonly used by builders is | | | | of the soil in rather the same manner as cutting |
| ideal.Composition liners and those manufactured from | | | | cheese, that which remains behind being firm and |
| rubber are necessary where exposure is inevitable, | | | | solid.Dig the whole of the pond down to the marginal |
| especially in formal features where there is limited | | | | shelves. Mark out the deep area of the excavation |
| planting and the water is the main attraction. Not all | | | | and dig down again. This helps to ensure that the |
| pond owners are plant enthusiasts and often water is | | | | hole is accurately produced with a solid base and |
| a design element which is introduced for its reflective | | | | walls that will remain firmly in place when the liner is |
| qualities. Certainly in formal circumstances where a | | | | laid and water added. During the digging process, |
| fitted liner is desired it is more practical to use a | | | | make sure that the pond is level from end to end |
| material like rubber as it can be manufactured neatly | | | | and side to side using a series of wooden stakes and |
| welded to the shape desired and provide accurate | | | | a board with a spirit level. If the edges are not level, |
| wrinkle-free corners and curves.For most gardeners | | | | then when the liner and water are introduced there |
| though, it is a case of digging a hole to the required | | | | will be parts of the pond that will flood and other |
| shape and then putting in the liner. However, it is | | | | areas with large expanses of bare wall.Irrespective of |
| important to never buy a liner and then dig a hole. | | | | how tough the pond liner is believed to be, it will |
| Always finish the excavation first and then calculate | | | | benefit from some form of cushioning in the hole. |
| the size of liner required to fit. Irrespective of the | | | | Make sure that there are no sticks or sharp stones in |
| pond's shape, profile or size, calculating the liner size | | | | the excavation that may puncture the liner when the |
| follows a simple formula. Take the length and then | | | | weight of water is added, and then add a generous |
| add to it twice the maximum depth. Then make the | | | | layer of fine sand. The kind that is used for |
| same calculation for the width. This will provide a liner | | | | bricklaying is ideal. |
| that will suit the excavation and have sufficient | | | | If damp, it can be smoothed around the excavation |
| overlap for the edges with a minimum of wastage.It | | | | and will even adhere to the sides. Fleece also |
| is necessary to mark out the shape of the proposed | | | | provides a useful protection, as do thick wads of old |
| pond before digging commences. This not only | | | | wet newspapers or pieces of discarded |
| permits accurate excavation, but gives an impression | | | | carpet.Spread the liner across the pond, weighing |
| of how the finished pond will fit into the garden | | | | down the edges with bricks or rocks, then run water |
| landscape. It is quite likely that original ideas will | | | | from a hosepipe into the center so that the liner |
| change somewhat when the proposal is seen in | | | | molds to the shape of the hole. As the liner molds to |
| reality on the ground. Use stakes and string to create | | | | the contours straighten out any wrinkles and where |
| the outline of a formal pond, or a length of rope or | | | | necessary make bold folds to create corners. Spread |
| hosepipe to give some guidance for an informal pond | | | | the liner across the pond, weighing down the edges |
| shape.When creating an outline for an informal lined | | | | with bricks or rocks, then run water from a hosepipe |
| pond, take into account that while it is perfectly | | | | into the center so that the liner molds to the shape |
| possible to line almost any shape or excavation, there | | | | of the hole. Once installed, finish the edge with a neat |
| is a limit to what can be achieved without significant | | | | arrangement of tiles, paving or stone.Philip Swindells |
| folds and creases appearing in the liner. Whatever the | | | | has over 40 years gardening experience. A former |
| final shape of the pond, marking out should be from | | | | botanical garden curator and an international |
| a fixed point. When a building or path is used as a | | | | horticultural consultant, he has worked extensively in |
| base-line this is straightforward, but if the pond | | | | the UK, North America, the Middle East and Australia. |