Top 5 Mistakes When Building A Pond

In this video from Devon Pond Plants, David and Ruth look at the top 5 mistakes made when building a new pond. With the aid of two half-built ponds to help illustrate the points covered, they discuss topics such as pond site selection, materials used to build a pond, pond shelf space for pond plants, pond edge detail and ideal pond depth. While not intended as a complete guide to building a pond, this is essential viewing for anyone looking for advice on building a pond.

You can gain further information on the subjects covered in this video, and more pond plant advice and tips in David's new book: Ponds - A practical guide to design, construction and planting.

[anthonyphotoman]

Great advice, David and Ruth. thank you

[NobzLovesOutdoors]

this is it, this is the video I have been looking forever for. You’ve answered my questions on how to hide the pond lining, how deep to go, how wide of a shelf to make. Many thanks good Sir! I will check out your book 😊
I feel so much more confident in my ability to start on my pond build

[kpysher]

This was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much and keep up the good work.

[jamiemittermuller]

Looking forward to receiving my pond plant order. Watched this to check I’m on the right lines with what I’ve dug out so far, will probably double my shelve depth. I going to see if you have a video on doing a beach for a wildlife pond

[relentless]

Used pieces of carpet work real well as underlay

[janetadams]

Very useful demonstration. I've seen some where they don't bother to use a level and pegs. That would be a disaster. Leaves falling in creates sludge after a few seasons. The deep part is good for hibernation creatures.

[lucyt-c]

Very helpful- and well explained… thank you .

[trudymiller]

I always leave a net over my pond year round . It really helps keep leaf debris out of the pond

[rosanadancel]

Very good explanation. How about swimming pond to explains? Thank you

[relentless]

how do you get the wrinkles out of the pond liner as you lay it out inside the pond…?⁉️💁🏼‍♂️

[sarahcross]

Great video. Just looked up the price of butyl rubber here in New Zealand and it is NZD$1200 for a pack! To put that in to perspective a dinner out for two people costs about $140-160... Looks like i'll be going for UV protected PVC after all :(

[Beng]

You mention that deep subsoil would be unsuitable to line a pond with and plant into. I have been following Joel Ashton’s videos where he uses subsoil exclusively to cover the entire pond. The point of this I thought was that it’s low in nutrients, and heavier than topsoil so won’t feed algae and resists floating around as much. On my allotment the topsoil is reasonably shallow, less than a foot in a lot of places. The subsoil is light brown/orange, heavy clay with flint. Would it be better to use aquatic soil or even puddling clay though?

[RogersAB]

Is there any chance you guys could make a video. To show all types of oxygenator plants that you can just throw in the pond like hornwort etc.

[johnraffensperger]

Really have to figure out how to use materials other than plastic.

[alexaccount]

Oak leaves aren't toxic in a pond, leaf litter can be beneficial depending on the pond style you have gone for . Most toxic trees are ones related to pine or evergreen

[zzman]

My big mistakes were:
1. No shelves to help hide liner.
2. No making sure pond was level on all sides

[WORLDNEWREALITY]

is there another name for Butyl rubber? cant find it.

[Alan-ulsz]

Good clear video David thanks, although I have to agree with Jeremy below regarding metric measurements - I wish you would talk in feet, inches and gallons

[taramansion]

I've watched about a million aquarium videos that say oak leaves are good for the water (?)

[MrJmhess]

I love your dog! What breed is he/she?