border/path/pond transition

AngieR

I want to put a path between the pond edge and the edge of the border you can see in this picture.  The edge of the border will be somewhere around where the daffs are right now.  This should ensure the pathway is wide enough and comfortable to use.

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I intend it to be a stepping stone path  finished with stones and pebbles in between in the hope that the transition between the pond edge and border looks natural.  Here's the same area from the opposite angle

My question is: currently the excess pond liner covers most of that area but I am unsure if I should trim it away and put down weed suppressing membrane before I start the path or will the excess pond liner do the job.

Idealy once the path and gravel are down I'd like to soften it a wee bit with some planting, nothing major just a couple of bit of greenery here and there.  If the pond liner is acceptable to use can I just snip out a wee planting hole to put the plants in? As I would do if it were weed suppressing material.  Obviously it would not be too near the edge of the pond so the first foot or so of liner nearest the pond would remain intact.  Thanks in advance and apologies if this post is in the wrong thread.  I wasn't sure quite which one to put it in.  

  

 

David W

It depends if you want water run off from through the path etc to go into the pond. Personally I would cut it back and go for membrane which will allow the water to soak through it, rather than let potential contaminants run into the pond.

If you cut liner to plant things through they will also have restricted water as the liner will catch it and divert it to the pond.

Cheers,

Last edited: 16 April 2017 18:40:51

Fairygirl

I wouldn't worry about it too much Angie. If you make the slope of that area run back towards the border and spike it with a garden fork, the water hitting the path will go through and also head towards the planting rather than the pond. Any bits and pieces going into the pond won't be an issue anyway. It's what happens in a natural pond in the wild. 

Yes - you can plant through it as well. I've done that in other gardens, and I've done it here in the area I've just created at the back of my extension as it's part path and part seating area.  We get very high rainfall and it's absolutely fine if you spike it thoroughly. 

A good selection of different sized rocks, pebbles and gravel will also help blur the boundary between pond and border which will make it more natural looking.  

David W

I'd agree there Fairygirl that in the wild water drains into a natural pond. However in the false environment created by liners it channels all into the water so any plant feed/sprays used on the land plants can go into a pond in this situation and cause algae blooms or in some cases be toxic to pond life or fish if they are kept in there. Any cements that maybe used to set paving steps should not give run off into a pond unless sealed. Items falling onto a path might not be natural as they would be (hopefully) in the wild. Also in the wild any water running water not a pond often benefits from a degree of filtration by plants, gravels and soils along the waters edge.

Maybe I'm being over protective but as I keep fish I cannot risk any chance of contaminants in our pond.

For the effort of creating slopes, which might not be possible it the area is also to be a path, and spiking it, then I would opt for a membrane which will slow water through it, will be easier to create planting slits in it without depriving the plant of water.

Cheers

Cloggie

Just sticking my oar in but I think it's great that Angie now has both sides of the argument and can continue in an informed manner.

AngieR

Thanks everyone - you've all given me food for thought.  Between you you've considered points I hadn't even thought about.  Cheers.