• Laying the Foundation
• Adding the Pond-liner
• Building the Stream
• Planting for your Stream
Laying the Foundation
1
Dig a top-pool or small well (40cm deep) at a higher ground level than your pond.
2
Construct your foundation gradually down from the top-pool into your pond and ensure that the foundation is sloped steep enough to allow the water to flow freely.
3
If you want to create a waterfall, build steps into the foundation of your stream, (30cm in height).
4
At the base of each step, dig a small hole (15cm) to sink your pond-liner into this will create a small pool where the water can fill up and flow over to the lower step.
5
You’ll need a strong water-pump (approx. 2500 Gph) to pump the water up from your pond through a hose (use a 20mm hose for extra propulsion) into the top-pool which will feed the water down into your stream.
Adding the Pond liner
1
After you have constructed the foundation, run the pond-liner up from your pond through the stream foundation, finishing in the top-pool.
Careful and precise fitting of the pond-liner is the most important part of the entire process.
2
It is much better to fit the liner with plenty of overlap on all sides of your foundation.
3
Before you cut the liner to size make sure to fill your stream with water to see how rapidly your water flows and check for possible holes in the lining.
4
Run the hose from your pond water pump up to the top pool carefully hide the hose under the liner and be sure to check for kinks, again check your flow of water before covering over the hose and liner.
Building the Stream
1
Once the liner is in place, secure and bed down the edges with soil, be sure to choose soil conducive to plant growth.
2
If you have added steps to your stream you can build out the steps with garden slate allowing the edge of the slate to overhang creating a waterfall effect, the slate also hides the liner underneath.
3
Use good size rocks. Garden rocks and stones don’t only add a great feature to your stream they help to weigh down your liner so don’t be afraid to use heavy ones.
4
You can cover the excess liner and soil with small stones and decorate the area with driftwood, logs, and slate, granite and/or beach stones.
Planting for your Stream
1
Planting is where the real fun begins. Border and embellish your water feature with a wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, for instance water grass, water lilies, Japanese maple, ferns, alpine saxifrage.
2
Add some creative lighting. It is really lovely to sit out by your pond on a good summer’s day however; you can make it equally beautiful by night.
Use creative lighting to illuminate your garden and water feature like simple tea-lights and floating oil burners.
3
While it’s important to maintain and manage your garden pond and stream, it’s just as important to ‘let your garden grow’. Do the hard work by planting early in the season just before summer.