Restoring A Pond

It's the time of the year when my thoughts turn to water gardening - and
this year my son is restoring/reinstating a very overgrown little pond
at the front of the house. It was the first pond we ever had here at
Autumn Cottage, dug out by my own hand (I have the wonky back to prove
it!) and a source of delight for many years.

But over the last five or
six years it has been neglected, slowly filling up with a matted mass of
the roots of Phalaris picta, "Gardener's Garters" which grows
invasively, and had certainly invaded most of the pond. Hugh spent
yesterday afternoon and evening cutting and lifting out the sodden root
mass, then today we all made a journey to one of my favourite garden
centres, "World of Water" near Romsey, where we sought out a new pond
liner and I made my annual purchase of some very reasonably priced Acer
cuttings.

I am making quite a collection of those, adding just one or
two each year as they are rather expensive. Hugh and his friend are back
hard at work now, so I'll bring more updates to the pond restoration as
it progresses. 

All the show gardens here were photographed today at "World of Water" - while below is my own "show garden" in the process of being created by my dear hard working son!

Comments

[carolyn]

Roz, How nice to see all these ponds pics at Water World you posted and yours as well that Hugh has taken on to renovate and get it cleaned/cleared and back up for you. Good work Hugh the rest when it is finished willbe so gratifyig to him and to you to have it returned since it was your back that original gave it life. GO HUGH :-) Hope you will post updates of this project.

[Stephanie Lish]

Seeing these photos of ponds makes me want one as well. Usually the ones I see here in the States are extremely "phone" looking. (I believe it has something to do with the treatment of the edge; between the land and the pond. The ones you have here look natural; as though they have been there forever. I'm trying to figure out what the "trick" is.

Stephanie

[Fran]

I told my family I wanted a small outdoor fountain for Mom's Day, but it didn't materialize. We have a lot of mosquito problems here so the water has to keep circulating. Looks beautiful and look at those young studs work!