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STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Step 1. Mark out the pond shape that
you want
For a wildlife pond, the shape is not very
important, so you can make a pond that
has a ‘natural wiggly shape’, or is a ‘formal’
square or a circle - it depends on what you
think looks good in your garden.
Step 2. Remove the turves
Start to dig out the turves but don’t dig down
too deep. Keep some back to secure the
liner around the edge of the pond, but don’t
put them in the water, as they will add a
massive blast of polluting nutrients.
Step 3. How deep? – Shallow water is key
for wildlife
Ideally a wildlife pond should have lots of
shallow water, with wide shallow margins
and gently sloping edges. If you want a
pond that is a half metre or more deep it
needs to be much bigger or you’ll end up
with very steep sides.
Removing the turves can also create very
steep edges to your pond, so you will need
to use the spoil to re-profile the edges.
Step 4. Check the level
It’s important to get the pond level,
otherwise you will have bare liner showing
on one side. You’ll need a spirit level on a
long piece of wood that will go right across
the pond. If necessary remove the turves
and bank up the lower side to level it up.
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© Pond Conservation