Maria Allen
For a successful pond construction, you should also consider the pond edge. If you make mistakes here, in the worst-case scenario, there will be massive water loss within the first few months because the plants and substrate pull water out of the pond. You can find out how to prevent this here.
The Edge of the Pond
The pond edge has many more functions than just looking beautiful. First of all, it represents a seamless transition between water and land and ideally ensures an even water level. In addition, as a capillary barrier, it prevents plants from pulling water out of the pond with their roots in summer. In addition, it provides hold for the film and for decorative objects such as plant bags. Last but not least, you can use it to inconspicuously integrate pond technology.
As you can see, so many tasks should not be underestimated. It is therefore not enough to simply build a wall of earth around the pond. Incidentally, this substrate is a doubly bad basis for the pond edge, because soil decomposes over time and – depending on the weather – can easily be removed or washed away. In addition, it ensures excessive algae growth in the pond through the unwanted nutrient intake.
The optimal solution for the pond edge, on the other hand, is a complete pond edge system. You have to reckon with additional acquisition costs, but you save time and immense follow-up costs by eliminating the need for troubleshooting.
The Pond Edge System
Pond edge systems or the associated tapes are offered at any length and, in combination with suitable piles, provide the basic structure. With such a pond edge system you can define the shape of the pond as you like, simply create an even water level and also a capillary barrier. In addition, there is the necessary support for fleece and foil and can be installed both before and after the pond has been excavated.
Installation of the Pond Edge System
The tape is rolled out at the desired location and laid out in the way the pond should be shaped afterward; it functions as a kind of template or template. You should take your time and check again and again from a distance whether you like the shape of the pond. Once the final shape has been created, the piles are driven into the ground outside the band. You have to leave enough space at the top so that you can nail the tape completely to the post.
You should leave a distance of 50 to 80 cm between the piles so that – when the pond is filled – the structure is as stable as possible. It is important to check that the posts are all at the same height so that the edge of the pond is not crooked afterward. Then the profile tape is finally screwed onto the posts. Our tip: Check again and again with the spirit level whether the upper edge is horizontal and also check across the pond whether the posts on the opposite side are at the same height.
After screwing it in, you now have to put any pond fleece plus pond liner over the tape and stabilize it on the other side with stones or earth. When it comes to digging the pond, you should leave a distance of at least 30cm to the pond edge system so that the piles do not lose their stability. However, this zone does not lie fallow afterward, it forms the swamp or shallow water zone.
If the pond edge system is installed on a pond that has already been excavated, you can either use the existing shape as a guide or use the tape to enlarge the shape and dig additional bays later. To do this, however, the pond has to be empty and a new pond liner is also required: Quite a hassle.
A Pond Without a Pond Edge System
If you leave out the pond edge system and thus the suction barrier on your own pond, the water loss is huge, especially in summer. Shore mats and lawns bordering the pond also have a strong wicking effect. The environment around the pond is transformed from a well-tended green lawn to a swamp. If you don’t want to install a pond edge system, then you should construct a less secure alternative solution. To do this, simply bend up the end of the pond liner when laying the pond liner and set it up so that an approx. 8 cm high wall is created. You then have to stabilize these with stones from the outside (i.e. from the garden). If this barrier is then cleverly hidden with plants, it has the same effect as the professional pond edge system but is less stable.