Dip into pond life

THERE'S not a garden in the country that couldn't benefit from water. Not the stuff that comes out of the sky with alarming regularity, but a pond, however small.

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Nothing is more soothing than the sound of moving water, plants look wonderful reflected in it and it also provides a haven for frogs, very handy creatures for keeping down the snail and slug population.

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Creating a pond sounds like a big task, but you can do it in a weekend. Remember you're not digging an Olympic swimming pool, just one big enough to fit neatly into a corner of your garden.

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First, choose your site, ideally�this should be in a shaded area�to avoid too much evaporation and not directly under trees as falling leaves will poison the water. Having picked the best spot, it's time to decide what sort of liner you are going to use - rigid or flexible.

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If you plump for a rigid liner, lay it on the ground and mark round the whole shape, allowing about six inches all round for the lip.

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Dig a hole as close to the depth and shape of the liner as possible and then line the bottom with a layer of sand. Settle the liner into the sand making sure it is level with the ground and then start filling. Use the earth you have already dug to fill in the gaps between the liner and the hole.

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A flexible liner allows you�to make your pond any shape you desire.

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Again mark out your design with paint or pegs, and initially dig around the edge down to about nine inches. This will act as a shelf around the edge to put plants on. Measure in another nine to ten inches and then dig the rest of the pond to the depth required. When you're finished scour the hole for any sharp stones or roots that might puncture the lining.

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Again pour a layer of sand into the bottom, mould the liner to the shape of your pond and start filing with water. Trim off the excess plastic, leaving a six-inch lip.

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Finally, edge the pond with stones, slabs or turf and get down to your local garden centre. You'll also find a range of easy to install electric pumps that can provide running water and have the advantage of circulating the water, keeping it aerated.