| The construction of a garden pond demands | | | | also led to improvements, some of the restrictions of |
| considerable care and attention, but is well within the | | | | earlier technology now having been removed. |
| capabilities of most practical gardeners. There are a | | | | Concrete ponds do not have quite the same |
| number of different methods of construction, each | | | | following as previously, but are still constructed for |
| having virtues from both a practical and aesthetic | | | | some larger projects, especially as fish ponds, and by |
| point of view. The most important factors are | | | | serious fish hobbyists who are involved in specialized |
| ensuring that the structure is secure and water-tight, | | | | fish breeding and showing. Although the construction |
| and that the accommodation afforded is suitable for | | | | of a concrete pond is never going to be easy, some |
| the plants and fishes that it is intended to introduce. | | | | of the previous problems that have placed limitations |
| Careful planning is an essential ingredient for success. | | | | upon concrete construction for the home gardener |
| Pond liners are the most popular option and available | | | | have been overcome with the introduction of various |
| in a variety of materials. They enable the water | | | | additives. This has been especially important in the |
| gardener to create almost any fanciful shape or | | | | areas of temperature as it affects the laying of |
| design of pond and to easily add a very functional | | | | concrete and its subsequent hardness and resilience. |
| bog garden. They are, however, the most vulnerable | | | | Internal waterproofing techniques, as well as external |
| to damage, although if carefully constructed and | | | | sealants have also been greatly improved. |
| maintained the risk is minimal. Make sure that the | | | | The greatest revolution, however, has been seen |
| material selected is the most appropriate for the | | | | with the introduction of bentonite, especially the |
| pond and the construction method being proposed. | | | | bentonite blanket. This has enabled the traditional |
| Pre-formed ponds place some constraints upon the | | | | method of clay puddling to be revived in a different |
| imaginative garden designer as they are a rigid shape. | | | | form. The bentonite blanket comprises a specialized |
| Not usually a constraint for the formal water | | | | clay layer between geo-textile fabric that enables the |
| gardener who requires a particular pre-determined | | | | gardener to line an excavation with natural clay, but |
| formal shape and size, but limiting when an informal | | | | without the attendant problems associated with |
| pond is envisaged, although in recent years the | | | | old-fashioned clay puddling. Leaks are virtually |
| designs of pre-formed pond shapes have greatly | | | | unknown as the blanket is self-sealing. |
| improved. The introduction of modern materials has | | | | |