Siting a pond on a sloping garden

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Sian in Belgium, Mar 9, 2018.

  1. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    I loved creating my pond and although small it was teeming with wildlife! Had to fill it in unfortunately due to small children but I'll have another one day...
    The shading thing is that it needs shade rather than should be sited in it. So marginals etc will provide the shade, it doesn't have to be in the shade of a tree for example.
     
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    • Sian in Belgium

      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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      Ok, you were warned!

      Starting with a basic 9' x 6' shape....

      First, a view from our first-floor bedroom. (As you can see, it is near the top of the garden, and the house is quite a bit lower)
      IMG_4715.JPG

      Looking from the drive across the top of the garden. You can see the purple plum, and to it's left an old apple tree coming into leaf. IMG_4719.JPG

      Finally, directly below (and where the prevailing wind comes from) so you can see how the cherry tree in the lawn will get linked in... IMG_4717.JPG
       
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        Can you bring it out a bit away from the purple plum and toward the mossy area? I'm thinking about leaf fall into the pond...
         
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        • Sian in Belgium

          Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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          I can do, Andy, although with the prevailing wind we have, going up the garden like a wind tunnel, we are more likely to be getting oak leaves from the wood below us, than plum leaves. I don't think I've ever gathered any up at all - they all go over the hedge, and across the road!

          I was wondering about bringing it a little more forward, though as it will be linked into the border, I have to think about how much extra work I'm making for myself. I don't have to link it in immediately though....
           
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          • Sian in Belgium

            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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            (@Sheal , don't laugh/weep too much at my "grass"!)
             
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            • Sian in Belgium

              Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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              You can't really tell from this photo, but I have moved it across, honest! IMG_4725.JPG


              This shows the distance between the plum canopy, and the potential site IMG_4721.JPG


              And nearly on top of the afore-mentioned mossy area. IMG_4720.JPG
               
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              • Sian in Belgium

                Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                Just marked out possible outline, and it looks so small!

                IMG_4734.JPG


                Seriously thinking of moving it down to be completely on the dark mossy area...
                IMG_4732.JPG
                 
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                • Loofah

                  Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                  Now there's a good idea! You can always dig more out if you think it's on the small side
                   
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                  • Sian in Belgium

                    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                    Unfortunately, ive already got the butyl...
                     
                  • martin-f

                    martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                    Personally i would bring it closer to the house where it can be seen from a window its lovely watching the birds come and bathe,

                    Looks like you have a nice slope here to have a nice rockery behind the pond and a new flower bed at the top of the slope would create great view from the window and a nice feature.
                    IMG_4725.JPG
                     
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                    • WeeTam

                      WeeTam Total Gardener

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                      We put our pond right by the back door and conservatory where you can see the fish feeding from your chair. A good waterfall and /or fountain really brings it all to life.

                      Imho there was little point putting it at the bottom of the garden. Makes it easier to chase the heron away too :)
                       
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                      • martin-f

                        martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                        Mines at the end of the decking level with the patio chair this is my view.

                        20180418_133710.jpg
                         
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                        • ARMANDII

                          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                          Make it bigger then, Sian:dunno:..............................

                          [​IMG]
                           
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                          • Sian in Belgium

                            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                            The slight problem is this is not the end of the house that has the living area. This photo is taken from our bedroom, true, but our bedroom is over the garage... by pulling it nearer to the drive, it becomes out-of-sight from the kitchen window.
                             
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                            • Sian in Belgium

                              Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                              I agree, @WeeTam , putting the pond at the bottom of the garden would be wrong.
                              1, it would be out of sight from all windows of the house (that's why we have the compost bays there)
                              2, there's no space there, even though it's one of the few flat areas of ground
                              3, one of the aims of the pond is to get people to move away from looking at the bottom 1/3 of the garden, and instead to look at the top area of the garden.

                              The site I propose to put the pond is at the top of the garden.

                              Re herons - yes, they will be a real hazard, and so proximity of trees will help protect any wildlife. The herons try to avoid the tree-ed areas of the surrounding area, choosing instead the open approaches.
                               
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