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#1
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advice for 2 projects
There are two projects that I am considering adding to my
garden. 1. steps down the front bank using square concrete pavers and natural stones 2. small round pond with water plants and stone edging Does anyone have any advice on how to do either one easily and cheaply? Also is there such a thing as a battery operated pump for the pond? Or a pond without a pump that doesn't attract mosquitoes? Thanks for any and all advice. Sandie |
#2
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advice for 2 projects
In article , Sandie Hudson wrote:
Also is there such a thing as a battery operated pump for the pond? Or a pond without a pump that doesn't attract mosquitoes? There are solar powered pumps on the market. -- Bryan C. Andregg Duke University Medical Center Programmer Dept. of Anesthesiology e p +1 919 684 6201 |
#3
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advice for 2 projects
In article , Sandie Hudson
wrote: There are two projects that I am considering adding to my garden. 1. steps down the front bank using square concrete pavers and natural stones I'll infer that you intend to use pavers set into a surround of stone/gravel/pebbles. If so, put down landscape fabric first so that you don't get volunteer plants growing up through the stones. I have a similar arrangment in my backyard, but forgot the landscape fabric... Since you're coming down a bank, you might have to use something like landscape timbers to create a small terraced effect down the hill, depending on how steep of a slope you have. Paver squares can become slick over time, and walking on them down a slope could be exciting. If you just terrace the hill and place pavers et al on the resulting steps without some form of mechanical reinforcement, the dirt will probably wash out from under the pavers. Depending on how long of a path you have, buying bulk stone from a supplier may be cheaper than the prebagged stuff. You'll also want to enclose the stone in some type of edging so that it doesn't redistribute itself across the yard. Rolls of plastic garden edging will work pretty well for this, and are comparatively inexpensive in homeowner grades. 2. small round pond with water plants and stone edging Lowes et al sell prefab plastic ponds in various shapes. These are probably worth it for a smaller pond. The alternative, pond sheet liners, require alot of ground prep to avoid punctures et al. Pond sheet liners are specially-made for that purpose; random cheap plastic sheeting won't work. Does anyone have any advice on how to do either one easily and cheaply? Also is there such a thing as a battery operated pump for the pond? Or a pond without a pump that doesn't attract mosquitoes? Most of the pumps I've seen require house current. I would suspect that there are some that run off of 12 volt supplies, like landscape lighting does (it's safer to install), but pumping water is one of the harder things to do in terms of work, and may require the power-carrying capability of a 120 volt circuit. I don't know that the motion of the water is as much of a factor in controlling mosquitos and larvae - that's what the fish are there for :-). If you don't want fish, you can buy floating blocks that kill the larvae, supposedly without harming birds et al. All of the sources I've seen recommend against installing ponds in shady areas, both to avoid leaf litter and to help plant growth. Here is a good HowTo and supplier site: http://www.watergarden.com Petsmart, of all places, sells pond supplies. Locally, I've seen plants and stuff at Buchannan's Nursery on Western Blvd in Raleigh, and at Logan's near Peace College in Raleigh. -- Steve Holzworth "Do not attribute to poor spelling That which is actually poor typing..." Senior Systems Developer - me SAS Institute - Open Systems R&D UNIX/VMS/MAC Cary, N.C. |
#4
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advice for 2 projects
1 - Use PERMALON for the liner - you can buy on the internet DO NOT use
epdm, it is expensive and heavy. Permalon does not stretch and rocks will not cut it. However it is NOT UV resitant so it cannot be exposed directly to the sun, which is usually not an issue. 2 - depth should be 3-4 for koi - I bought mine for $5 each and they are over 12 inches now 3 - include a shelf for plant pots - the shelf should be the depth of a small pot - stop by lowes etc to see the size of the pots that you will be putting on the shelf, they have a good selection of water plants 4 - Run a hose to the pond, believe me the pond will lose water from evaporation, animals etc. I have a permanent old hose running to mine, and a timer to let 15 minutes of water in a day, this sort of keeps the pond topped off. Especially if you have a fountain. 5 - make sure the pond is level take the time and effort to do this or you will always be seeing the sides. 6 there are solar powered pumps but they are expensive 7 Have an overflow area that the pond will overflow towards. Especially when it rains like this, this way you can put some bog plants, etc in the wet areas 8 Provide rocks that OVER shadow the the pond or do it with the pond liner. Your fish will be happier if they have some place to hide, they come out, however, they get stressed if they have not place to dart to. 9 DONT feed the fish after the water gets to 60 degrees in the winter, the fish slow down and will not digest the food and die. 10 TRY for a fountain...and put a small bowl at the top, the fountain circulates the water and provides oxyegen especially in the summer months. The water circulation also helps to clean the water (remember fish use the bathroom as well, except they swim in it, so you have to clean it for them otherwise they get sick. If you need any more let me know!! Tomatolord "Sandie Hudson" wrote in message ... There are two projects that I am considering adding to my garden. 1. steps down the front bank using square concrete pavers and natural stones 2. small round pond with water plants and stone edging Does anyone have any advice on how to do either one easily and cheaply? Also is there such a thing as a battery operated pump for the pond? Or a pond without a pump that doesn't attract mosquitoes? Thanks for any and all advice. Sandie |
#5
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advice for 2 projects
1 - Use PERMALON for the liner - you can buy on the internet DO NOT use
epdm, it is expensive and heavy. Permalon does not stretch and rocks will not cut it. However it is NOT UV resitant so it cannot be exposed directly to the sun, which is usually not an issue. 2 - depth should be 3-4 for koi - I bought mine for $5 each and they are over 12 inches now 3 - include a shelf for plant pots - the shelf should be the depth of a small pot - stop by lowes etc to see the size of the pots that you will be putting on the shelf, they have a good selection of water plants 4 - Run a hose to the pond, believe me the pond will lose water from evaporation, animals etc. I have a permanent old hose running to mine, and a timer to let 15 minutes of water in a day, this sort of keeps the pond topped off. Especially if you have a fountain. 5 - make sure the pond is level take the time and effort to do this or you will always be seeing the sides. 6 there are solar powered pumps but they are expensive 7 Have an overflow area that the pond will overflow towards. Especially when it rains like this, this way you can put some bog plants, etc in the wet areas 8 Provide rocks that OVER shadow the the pond or do it with the pond liner. Your fish will be happier if they have some place to hide, they come out, however, they get stressed if they have not place to dart to. 9 DONT feed the fish after the water gets to 60 degrees in the winter, the fish slow down and will not digest the food and die. 10 TRY for a fountain...and put a small bowl at the top, the fountain circulates the water and provides oxyegen especially in the summer months. The water circulation also helps to clean the water (remember fish use the bathroom as well, except they swim in it, so you have to clean it for them otherwise they get sick. If you need any more let me know!! Tomatolord "Sandie Hudson" wrote in message ... There are two projects that I am considering adding to my garden. 1. steps down the front bank using square concrete pavers and natural stones 2. small round pond with water plants and stone edging Does anyone have any advice on how to do either one easily and cheaply? Also is there such a thing as a battery operated pump for the pond? Or a pond without a pump that doesn't attract mosquitoes? Thanks for any and all advice. Sandie |
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