Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO MAKE A SMALL POND FEATURE
Filling a water bowl with water-loving plants is a crucial part of creating a therapy garden. Choose plants that grow to different heights so you get layers of visual interest.
For you to note
If you want to add fish to your pond, let the water stand for at least 24 hours so chlorine can evaporate.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Clean your water bowl inside and out, then apply pond sealer with
a paintbrush. Wearing gloves, fill any drainage holes with aquatic epoxy puy, then leave to cure.
STEP 2 Put bowl in desired location and use a spirit level to check for level. Use a trowel to fill bowl with a layer of sandy loam soil, to a depth of about 15-20cm.
STEP 3 Fill your bowl with water-loving plants such as rush, Vietnamese mint and syngonium, and also oxygenating plants appropriate for your area – to reduce algae.
STEP 4 Add a layer of small pea-sized pebbles to the bowl to stop the soil muddying the water.
STEP 5 Add water very slowly so you don’t displace pebbles and subsequently the soil.