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Ponds
These are views of a pond and the garden we designed and constructed in 2001.
Garden Ponds
Of the many sources of water in the garden, this section concentrates on the informal garden pond. It might be a simple and shallow 'dew pond' home for Frogs and Newts, as shown on the right, or a deeper and larger rock lined pool examples of which are featured below.
Garden Pond
We started building ponds with external filter boxes, UV filters and a pump in the bottom of the pond. The maintenance demands of this method, and the visible pump wiring and pipes, lead us to an alternative approach. The method we have used, and proved, over many years, achieves virtually maintenance-free performance and is explained below.
Please contact us to discuss any aspect of ponds informal or formal.
The Larger Informal Pond
A typical garden pond has moving water, often via a waterfall or pebble pool, and a size of about 4 to 6 by 3 to 4 metres, although many are larger. In our experience, in addition to aesthetic considerations, a number of fundamental considerations must be satisfied in order to achieve a good result:
- The water depth must be at least 1 metre over part of the pond.
- The pump must be capable of circulating the complete volume of water every 2 to 2.5 hours.
- There must be an effective filtration method.
- The pond should be adequately planted with aquatic plants.
Also, an effective overflow should be provided and an automatic 'top-up' system is desirable.
A good quality liner should be used and this may be of Butyl, one of the synthetic materials, or GRP (fibreglass). With the flexible liners a protective blanket under and over will protect from sharp stones and other hazards.
Fitration
We use an integral filtration method. The pump chamber is adjacent to the pond but separated from it except for a large perforated pipe connecting the two. The pipe extends through the length of the pond and is buried in washed gravel. The pump draws water from the bottom of the pond through the gravel bed and returns it to the surface of the pond via, usually, a waterfall. This process cleans and oxygenates the water.
The filter bed collects waste materials and, providing the pond is properly planted, the plants feed off the waste, a virtuous cycle is set up, and a natural balance is achieved. Under these conditions fish thrive, clear water occurs and very little maintenance is required.
The schematic diagram below illustrates the method used.
White of Witchampton - Pond design example
Garden Pond Case Studies & Examples
This is one we prepared earlier...
A recent view of a pond we constructed some eight years ago. It was built at the base of a high bank that separates the two levels of a country garden. There is a waterfall built into the bank at the far side of this picture. As can be seen the planting has matured and the effect is natural and not contrived.
A Recent Pond Part 1
These 4 pictures show the initial site and the start of excavation. Then the finished cavity was prepared by lining with a protective blanket and finally the large liner is shown in place. After this the pond was filled with water to force the liner into position before being drained again for the next stage in the process.
The process is continued in the next set of pictures with another protective layer before building the rock walls could begin.
A Recent Pond Part 2
After the liner is covered by the protective blanket two perforated drain pipes (100 mm dia) were laid through the centre of the pond floor and into the pump chamber at the far end. Ten ton of washed gravel was then put into the pond bottom to form the filter bed.
The internal rock walls were then built up to completely cover and hide the liner. A large pump was used to provide an adequate rate of circulation and to supply a low rock 'waterfall' on one side and another bubbling feature on the other side.
Suitable plants have been incorporated within the pond and also at the edges outside. Lights have been built into the walls beneath the water and discrete external lighting will be used as well.
It will be noted in the closeup that the water is still cloudy. When the pump has been run for a few days the water will clear.
Three Years On
These are views of a pond and the garden we designed and constructed three years ago. The pictures were taken during a 'gardens open' day in the summer of 2004. The extensive sleeper retaining walls and the steps replace the original steep grass slope that originally provided access to the lower garden and the pond.
Customer Comments
Many thanks for another wonderful piece of work! Very best wishes Peter & Karen After completion of a project about 10 years after we carried out original work
Hello Debbie! Please find enclosed our cheque in settlement of your invoice. We would like to thank you, Garry & Zak for transforming our front garden into something really special and pleasing. We could not have asked for more, - advice given, attention to detail, materials used and quality of work -exemplary! With all our very best wishes. John & Geneve ps and a great big thank you for your efforts and trouble in saving our special trees! John & Geneve From letter
We would like to thank you and all of your team for the excellent work that you have done in creating our garden out of what was nothing more than rough pasture. We have been impressed by your vision, knowledge and flexibility, and by the hard work and friendly manner of all of you people. We would have no hesitation in recommending your services. Anon Extract from recent letter
Dear Debbie, Just to say how delighted we both are with the garden and to enclose our cheque in payment of your invoice. Please pass on our thanks to Garry and the boys. They nwere great. We shall look forward to seeing you in the spring. Thank you again and kind regards Wendy & Brian Letter with cheque
We are sure you will be glad to know that we are absolutely delighted with the results of all your hard work and it has been much admired by all our friends and neighbours who have seen it. The quality of workmanship, planting scheme and attention to detail is truly excellent. Mrs M. N of Shaftesbury An extract from a letter
Many thanks for such a good job so far! Mr M. of Somerley An extract from a letter
Many thanks Debbie, we're absolutely thrilled with the finished effect - so much better than we ever expected. We're still giving thought to the other side at the moment but will get back to you one way or the other. Kind regards Terrie Note with payment
Dear Debbie, Please find enclosed a cheque for the work on our front garden. We are amazed at how much the garden has opened up the front of the property. Thank Garry and the boys for us please. Andy Letter with cheque
We thank you and your team for providing such a pleasing design and an excellent service. Mr D.R of Merley An extract from a letter from Mr D.R
Fantastic, fantastic … Mr G of Warminster An extract from a letter - commenting on a deck
Please find cheque enclosed for the balance. Thank you and all your guys for a lovely job carried out in pretty appalling weather. Jean & Terry Jean & Terry Letter with cheque
Dear Debbie, Very many thanks for all your hard work + creative input for the garden - people who saw it a year ago are truly amazed! I have about 1/3 of the planting to do now, but it's bursting with ??? and I'm thrilled with it. Many, many thanks to you and all 'The Team' love Rosemary Rosemary From a letter
Dear Debbie, We look at the garden each day with joy, it is simply wonderful, thank you so much. We also now have 6 species (acceptable not pigeons or magpies) of birds who also like it! Please thank again the boys for their work, good humour and expertise. Hope to see you again, with warmest regards Anon Follow-up thank you letter
… … … We are really pleased with all you have done. Having had a lot of work done by various contractors - we were particularly impressed with how efficient and tidy Garry was throughout. We have not yet decided about the greenhouse area - but will let you know when we have. Thanks Marianne and Paul (We were subsequently asked to carry out the greenhouse area work) Marianne and Paul Extract from a letter
We would just like to say that we were very pleased with the final result and hope that the garden will continue to look as marvellous in the future as it does now. Mr & Mrs B of Corfe Mullen An extract from a letter
I just wanted to say how delighted we are with how the garden has turned out, we always knew you would do a good job, but it really has exceeded all our expectations! It's a real joy to sit out there in the evenings, or potter round checking on all the plants to see how they're doing - thank you. Mrs B of Broadstone An extract from a letter
Dear Debbie, Many thanks for your advice and help. We are delighted with the design and execution of the work on our pond. At least one frog is also happy having blessed us with frog spawn! Best wishes Eric & Margaret Job well done.Site cleaned very efficiently, many thanks. Anon Note with payment
Thank you for your quotation for a pond, rockery and waterfall at H..., also for the prompt response. I am very impressed with the extremely professional manner of your presentation. I am sure the quality of your work is likewise. Mr L. S of Wareham An extract from a letter
We are delighted with the quality of the work and the materials you recommended. Please pass on our thanks to Gary, Craig, Keith and Colin, who were always hard working, efficient and cheerful - even in the rain! Their skills will be long remembered as we enjoy the garden in years to come. I only hope my planting will do justice to the quality of your work. Our thanks and best wishes to you all. Anon Extract from letter to Debbie White
Dear Debbie, As it's a year now since I first contacted you about re-designing my garden, I wanted you to know how much pleasure it's given my this year. I really feel that the garden is now an extension of my house and the French windows are almost permanently open. Having seen the plants in all seasons now I really appreciate the wisdom in your choice of plants and their positions. Thank you so much. Please call in if you have the opportunity as I'd love you to see it a year on. Weekends are probably the easiest or early evenings while it's still light. All the best, Yours very gratefully, Ruth
Well done - a first class job - on time - and TIDY! - congratulations." Mr M of Wiltshire Note with cheque
Many thanks indeed for fitting our 'phase2' in so quickly - we're now ready for the spring and summer!! We're really pleased with the end result, complementing 'phase 1' so well - the whole garden gives us so much enjoyment from all angles and floors. The team, as before, worked hard in difficult conditions and have made a fantastic job - it's much appreciated. Anon Extract from a letter with cheque
Just to say a big thank you for our lovely garden and also to thank you for the support you have given us as we have been learning how to ensure it stays looking as good as you left it. All best wishes Jan & Lewis Jan & Lewis Thank you note
Can we take this opportunity to thank you for being so professional, and flexible, in the way in which you carried out the work. It was a pleasure to have you all and the standard of your work is exceptional. We would also like to compliment you on the way you cleaned up each evening and the care taken not to disturb or damage any of the rest of the property. Mrs C. B of Salisbury An extract from a letter
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