On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 06:46:58 +0100, "Martin Sykes"
wrote:

"no spam here, thanks" wrote in message
.. .
This is such a basic question, I'm almost sorry to ask - but I can't
find a decent site to advise me ...

Is it that simple?

Why do you need a permanent water supply? Once filled, the water just gets
pumped round so all you need is electricity. You can top it up with the
occasional watering can in the summer as long as you haven't put it in full
sun. The rest of the year rain will keep it topped up. If you can stand the
wait, it would be better to fill with rain water anyway as tap water
contains too many nutrients so you often get a big initial bloom of algae.

Good point: thanks. But the main purpose of running water all the way
down is to have access to it for the veg. plot anyway and to avoid
having to run hoses over long distances when/if I do need to have water.
The location gets a lot of sun through various parts of the day .... so
I may well need to provide some signficnat shade cover .. thanks for
the pointer!