Garden Machinery
Garden Leisure
- Greenhouse Heaters
- Loungers
- Midgeaters
- Gas Barbecues
- Charcoal Barbecues
- Masonry Barbecues
- Furniture Sets
- Benches
- Greenhouses
- Water and Light
- Garden Sheds
- Gazebos
- Firepits
- Wildlife Boxes
- Rock and Stone
- Weather Vanes
- Rabbit Hutches
- Urns & Planters
- Sundials
- Birdbaths
- Garden Swings
- Climbing Frames
- Croquet Sets
- Wildlife Cameras
- Bird Feed
Water feature – island
People who are planning a large pond or lake should always consider the potential of building an island at the planning stage. Of course it has too appear to be a natural feature, and in a pond that is too small, an island can look like a mound surrounded by a puddle, but in the right location it can add immense possibilities to the site.
There are two basic ways to form an island. The first is to dig out the pond leaving the island behind. The other is to dig out the entire pond area but put the island back afterwards. If trees are involved, the first course is obviously the easiest one and in any case, leaving the island when you dig out the area gives you much less soil to move and cart away. This course is particularly good for clay ponds.
But if you are building a concrete or liner pond then the latter course is better, because it allows the sides of the island to be treated in the same way as the pond walls, either thickly planted to prevent soil erosion or supported with timber baulks. For a liner pond the island needs to be set on a concrete raft at least six inches deep and to have its first six or nine inches built of rubble or rock.
If you have an island you can have ducks or other aquatic birds nesting on it. You can encourage them to stay, or arrive, by building a small house for them to nest in.
