How to dig your own pond

Alison Patel writes: Water coming up to a patio door or a French window that can be reached by walking over a bridge or stepping stones would make an attractive feature in any garden.

That is according to John Cushnie who has been reporting on the best way to create an enticing water feature.

Writing in the Telegraph, Cushnie advised gardeners to dig a hole the full width of the patio doors.

Mr Cushnie explained that unless someone is intending to keep aquatic plants or fish, the pond does not need to be any deeper than eight to 12 inches.

The levels need to be the same around all of the edges of the pond. Pointed or sharp stones should be removed before the underlay is put down.

A liner needs to be put on top of the underlay and neat pleats should be made in the corners. The supporting pillars for the stepping stones will require an additional layer of liner.

Pillars can be made simply from bricks that Mr Cushnie advises are stabilised with a stiff 4:1 sand/cement mortar mix and are kept one inch above the water.

He recommends slate, natural stone, or reconstituted stone for the step and advised that they are close enough together to be easily traversed.

Building a pond is just one way gardeners can encourage insects and birds into their garden, according to the RSPB's Homes for Wildlife program.

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