Pond - where to start?

lisaduthie1

Hi, It looks like there has been small pond in our new garden, which has been unattended to for many years. Any tips on where I start in terms of tidying it up? 

Fairygirl

Hi @lisaduthie1 - that's quite difficult because we aren't there in person to poke around!
However, get a pair of wellies or similar, and determine- roughly, where the water starts. Then just pull, dig and lift anything outside of that margin. You'll gradually see what the shape is and what condition it's all in. 
I can see a tiny bit of wall at the back of the pic, so maybe start there. The shrub on the right looks like either Lonicera [ as in the shrubby type, not the climber ] or cotoneaster, so that can be cut right back no problem, and likewise the holly behind. They'll both be in the ground and hanging over, rather than actually growing in the pond itself.
The dead foliage in the pond looks likely to be from an Iris - there's a little bit of green growth there. Probably pseudocorous [flag Iris] and if it's the big one, I'd get as much of that out as possible as it's a real thug. You may have to wait and see what that's like later in the year, and make a decision then. You can take the dead stuff off just now though.
Looks like a few reeds bottom right too, so that could either be pond or the boggy surroundings.
I've rejuvenated a pond before, but it was fairly easy to see the edges, which makes it easier. Just take your time - and be careful!