Many owners of summer cottages decide to add a piece of this lake or river to their garden. A great solution for this will be the creation of an artificial reservoir. Now “film” ponds are very popular, which is quite easy to equip, having all the necessary materials.
It is best to start the construction of an artificial reservoir in late spring, when warm and dry weather is observed. First of all, it is necessary to carefully plan everything, having decided on the size and shape of the pond, as well as its location. The correct ratio of light and shadow is very important here. It is best if the pond during the day is about four hours under direct sunlight, and after lunch, a shadow will fall on it.
How to choose a film for an artificial reservoir
To make high -quality waterproofing of the reservoir, various types of films are used. The softest coating is a coating of PVD (it is strong and resistant to ultraviolet radiation). PVC coating is considered even more durable (it is perfectly stretched and can take any form). A more expensive and more reliable is a buttonage -based film, due to the high elasticity of which fewer folds form, which is very important when equipping ponds that have a winding shape. Usually, with the aim of waterproofing ponds, a black film is used in the country, capable of creating a feeling of depth even in a shallow reservoir. The color film will look great when designing non -standard landscape projects, in particular, when decorating the bottom of the reservoir and shores.
Construction of an artificial pond: the main stages
First of all, it is necessary to clearly indicate the alleged form of the future pond and indicate its boundaries. To do this, you can dig a moat around the pond up to 50 cm wide, and then concrete it to a depth of 15 cm. After that, dug a pit and clean it of possible garbage and stones.
On the bottom, it is necessary to lay a layer of peat, sand or a special soil seal (this layer is 5-7 cm). Everything needs to be thoroughly tamped and lay out a lining made of geotextiles on top. After that, the pit is covered with a film, which evenly straightens from the center to the edges and a thin stream is poured from the hose, under the weight of which the film slowly settles, and possible folds are aligned.
After filling the pond with water, it should be left for a day for further shrinkage of the film, and the next day the film is cut and fixed and fixed its edges in a small groove around the perimeter of the pond. At the end of the arrangement of the pond “Working” water, pure water is drained and poured.
How to arrange the shore of a pond
For the greater naturalness of the artificial reservoir, the edges of materials facing the surface are masked with pebbles, gravel or special film with pebbles. The decoration of the reservoir begins at the bottom, in an originally selecting stones of different shades and differ in shape. It will also be appropriate to add shells. But the shore of an artificial reservoir will perfectly complement pebbles, boulders and old cobblestones.
Wooden frames of the reservoir (various bridges, walls-bogs or flooring) look very beautiful and unusual). Of course, do not forget about coastal plants that contribute to not only the harmonious filling of your site, but also the coziness of your water garden. Will look great: openwork fern, lileics, irises or reeds.
Features of the care of an artificial reservoir
Remember that any artificial reservoir needs regular care. It is necessary to clean it in a timely manner, cut the plants in time and remove algae. Otherwise, your reservoir can be covered with algae, overgrow and dry.
There is also a probability of film flow, but this defect can be easily eliminated using waterproof bilateral tape. If there are small children on your summer cottage, then do not forget to take care of their safety. Be sure to install a protective mesh directly at the surface of the reservoir.
