CREATE A TRICKLING RILL

If you’ve not got enough space for a pond or are looking for a new way to add quirky, watery charm into your garden, then consider a rill. Rills are narrow channels that weave in and out of your planting, are connected to a bog garden or sit attractively as part of a defining patio feature. Attach it to a water butt for a supply of water, or start it unde under a guttering pipe, and it can end up trickling intoint a pond for good effect. There are formal rills or more natural, stream-like, shallow types. The babbling stream will give the effect of having your very own mini river in your garden!

Top tips

Dig a 60cm (2ft) trench, line it with pond liner and fill with gravel and other rocks. Edge with bricks for a more formal look if need be. Leave your rill clean, clear and with no plants for a crisp look, or use it to add a few pond plants for a more natural feel. If your garden doesn’t slope, keep your rill as standing water – just dig it a li le deeper than flowing ones.