I have a semi-circular, raised brick pond - 3.7m long x 1.5m radius x 60cm high. There is little life in it, apart from some water lilies and frogspawn which I'm donating to a neighbour. I plan to drain the pond, fill it with soil and make it into a vegetable garden - thinking that a high bed with copper tape at the base might provide slightly better protection from slugs/snails (though this might be wishful thinking!).

As well as any general advice, I'd appreciate guidance on some specific questions:

1. Should I remove the plastic pond liner once drained, or will this be of some use to my vegetable growing?

2. Should I drill drainage holes into the bricks? If so, where and how many?

3. Should I simply fill the new bed with top soil and a layer of mulch on top? Or are there are other things I should add for a successful vegetable garden?

Many thanks for your help!