Barrel Pond Advice

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Irmemac, Mar 12, 2018.

  1. luciusmaximus

    luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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    Well @Gail_68 it only seems fair if I've been brave enough to show you mine you should show me yours :giggle: :rofl:
     
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    • Irmemac

      Irmemac Total Gardener

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      Ooh, a dare, @luciusmaximus! I love a dare.... well, here it is, and consider yourself warned, it is not a handsome barrel like @strongylodon's stunner!

      IMG_3525.JPG

      It does have potential, even though it was the second one I was offered. The first one had a hole drilled into the middle of the bottom, which they said might be handy when I said it was going to be a pond, but they were happy to change it for one without! :dunno::heehee:

      Planning on sanding and staining the outside, but not yet sure if it should be freestanding or partially sunk.
       
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      • luciusmaximus

        luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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        It's a nice barrel @Irmemac , potential as you say :) . It will still need an entrance/ exit route of some kind so it's a personal choice I think whether you partially bury it or not. You could use different height plant pots if you don't want rocks/ logs. Lots of choices for wildlife friendly plants to put in them too, which will help to attract the wildlife :). It's going to look wonderful I'm sure whatever you decide upon :blue thumb:. I look forward to pics as you progress with it :)
         
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        • Gail_68

          Gail_68 Guest

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          @luciusmaximus my dear friend you've out done me [​IMG]....i could always show you my new plastic barrel :roflol: or the water dish :yes:....take your pic :phew: :whistle:
           
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          • Irmemac

            Irmemac Total Gardener

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            • strongylodon

              strongylodon Old Member

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              Not finished yet but in the ground and filled with rain water and the basket planted up.
              I think it needs another couple of inches of water but the butt is now empty so I'll wait until it fills a bit. I have put a small layer of aquatic compost on the bottom and two of the (cleaned) bricks the basket is resting on are old air bricks which may be useful for refuge for any aquatic invertebrates which might be in there. The basket might need to be raised too. Pygmy water lily and oxygenating plants are not on sale yet,
              It's a start.:smile:
              P1450068.JPG
               
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              • Irmemac

                Irmemac Total Gardener

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                It's looking good, @strongylodon. I'm sure it will be no time before it looks like it has been there for years. Lovely job!
                 
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                • Gail_68

                  Gail_68 Guest

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                  @strongylodon can't wait to see the finished job but so far it looks great :thumbsup:
                   
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                  • strongylodon

                    strongylodon Old Member

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                    It also needs some logs or pots around for any other wildlife to get in and/or out.:smile:
                     
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                    • Gail_68

                      Gail_68 Guest

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                      Some logs would look nice arranged unusual ...that's my opinion though :)
                       
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                      • luciusmaximus

                        luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                        It's taking shape @strongylodon :). It will look amazing when you've finished with it. I hope you gets lots of interest from the wildlife.

                        I saw some half whiskey barrels in B&M, but they were rather poor quality. Had they not been I might have been seriously tempted :snorky: :).
                         
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                        • Gail_68

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                          • luciusmaximus

                            luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                            I didn't think of Ebay. Thanks for the links :). I already have the belfast sink and the preformed pond but a whiskey barrel might look nice as a feature on the patio.
                             
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                            • Gail_68

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                              That's been selling the half barrels in the garden centre's where i go @luciusmaximus £39-99 and £49-99 but for the condition to say they're supposed to be new haven't looked brill :scratch:
                               
                            • luciusmaximus

                              luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                              The barrels in B&M were £24.99 and looked to be very thin wood with quite rusty iron bands and a couple had holes or splintered slats.
                               
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