The hole in my backyard

[tbendl]

Wow, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine spending all of that time and money and having to deal with moles. Did you have any idea that you had them? Like other holes in your yard? I just googled them and they are in MS, so i guess it wouldn't hurt to put down some grub killer just in case. I had snake holes but no mole holes... Neither is fun I assume.

 

[sissy]

I sewed window screen with fishing wire by hand and made plant holders .The tail of them is held down by rocks .pot sits inside it .For plant rings i have seen hula hoops and pool noodles and pvc pipe with elbows .The pvc you can make it long and narrow and sew the screen or netting to it with fishing wire

 

[tbendl]

Sissy, that is so great. I think this really might be an option to digging a ledge. I'm still going to try for a ledge but if I absolutely can't do it, I have some options since I really didn't want the pond liner showing, both for aesthetic and UV protective reasons.

 

[tbendl]

Water going in. Here's hoping it's level.

 

[Nepen]

Did you go with 20 or 45 mil?

Looking good!

 

[tbendl]

I went with the 45 mil (divided by 4). Now don't laugh or shun me but I ended up buying a recycled tarp. I think it's 17 mil. It was 200 and if I love it, I'll redo it with high end EPDM liner. If I hate it, I can rip it out and not feel terrible. If it lasts 3-5 years I'll be tickled.

 

[Nepen]

lol no I wont laugh and oops, that was not an lol at you either

My 20 mil is holding up ok for the 2nd year with the worse winter we've seen in NC, so I think you should at least get that long

 

[addy1]

hey if it works it works, we had tarp covering some wood in arizona, lasted for many years out in the full sun.

 

[snoozer]

It is hard not to love a pond.

 

[Lisaebetten]

Keep an eye on your local craigs list. I've bought 2 used LARGE pond kits for $375.00. Both are aquascapes and retail together new almost $4000.00!!!! I bought the 2nd pond because my first skimmer box looked like swiss cheese. They put the skimmer plate on wrong and drilled their own holes!!! That is why I got the send pond for $75.00!!!!!, just for the skimmer box. Now I have back up pumps and everything!

 

[tbendl]

Thanks Lisabetten, I will do that. I have been gone for the last week at a conference so this weekend will be all about the rocks.... Woohoo.

 

[tbendl]

So I started filling it with water before I left, and of course we had a crazy thunderstorm come through while I was gone blowing the liner back into the pond. Thank goodness the hubby was home to drag it out and weigh it down with some rocks. I am rock hunting this weekend and hopefully can get some of the edging done, weather permitting. Now the plant learning starts. However, for now, I have a pond and not some swampy area in my back yard!!

 

[j.w]

YaY you are moving right along!

 

[tbendl]

Rocks and plants are harder to find than I thought and we have no pond stores nearby. I guess I'm off to check nurseries. Has anyone had luck finding plants this late in the season from Lowes? I'd just like to get a few algae eaters in since it's been so dang hot here lately.

 

[timvz]

There are plants that eat algae? I would recommend trying some water hyacinth. A beautiful floating plant with a voracious apetite for nutrients. It won't eat the algae, but it will compete for nutrients. I have a theory that it is pH sensitive, though - not liking pH above 8.0. Also, you can always do well with most hardy lillys. They need pots and fertilizer tabs, especially in a new pond. I would probably start with a couple lillys and some cheap goldfish. Wait a bit for some algae to start developing, which means you've got nutrients of some kind, then try some hyacinth. If you know of other ponders in your local area it is especially helpful to ask them what grows well. Fertilizer tabs may be necessary for a while until it cycles. Perhaps forever for a lilly. Are you in the US? If you don't mind buying online, try pondplants.com. Good selection and very helpful via email.