Once you have answered these questions you need to decide where you want to site the pond or water feature bearing in mind the following:  A pond should be kept away from big trees and shrubs so ensure their roots don't puncture the lining and to avoid leaves falling into the water. If you want to keep fish you need to have a pretty deep pond to stop it freezing over the winter. The smallest you should build a pond is 60cm (2ft) deep and 1 x 1.5m (3 x 5ft) across; however, the bigger the better.

Now you can begin building:

1. The easiest way to build a pond is to use a butyl rubber or plastic sheet. To work out how much to buy:
   • • • • Dig your pond to the size and shape required then measure the length, width and the deepest point
         • Multiply the depth by two and add to the length then again to the width
         • Add 50cm (20in) for overlap on both the length and the width
         • This is the size of sheet you need
2. When digging the pond ensure that the bottom is firm and flat and free from stones. At least part of it needs to be 60cm (2ft) deep for fish and deep-water plants the rest can be 45cm (18ins) deep
3. Build in some shelves around the sides 15cm (6ins) wide and 20cm (8ins) below the surface
4. Slope one side to allow wildlife to escape
5. Ensure that all pond sides are level by using a spirit level, don't use your eye
6. Spread 2.cm (1in) of soft sand over the base, shelves and slopes then cover with pond underlay followed by the liner
7. Add a layer of poor garden or aquatic soil to the bottom of the hole for planing deep aquatics
8. Start filling the pond from a hose or water butt
9. Once full, trim the liner to 30cm (1ft) overlap
10. Cover the overlap with paving stones or turf ensuring that the liner is not exposed to the sun as it will rot
11. If possible add a bucket of water from a healthy, established pond to help speed up the colonization process
12. Leave for about a week before planting and six weeks before introducing fish
13. If you wish to attract wildlife to your garden then don't add fish as they tend to eat the insect larvae

Looking after your Pond

Spring: most ponds will turn green in spring but it will clear itself in a few weeks. However, new ponds could remain green for up to twelve months. Pull out blanketweed and leave on the side for a day or so to allow creatures to escape back into the pond. Remove duckweed with a small fishing net.

Summer: Feed fish between May and September. Pull out oxygenators if they threaten to take over the entire pond.

Autumn: Remove excess silt from the bottom of the pond leaving about 1 inch to allow plants to root. Remove floating plants once the die, cut down marginals and pull out dead lily leaves. Keep autumn leaves out of the pond by covering with a net.

Winter: If you keep fish place a plastic ball on the surface to avoid the pond freezing over totally. If you don't keep fish there is no winter maintenance required.

For more information on Aquatic Gardening visit the following articles: Aquatic Gardening and Pond Plants

• Aquatic Gardening - There are several points you need to consider before building your pond or water feature. Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe?Tweet ...
• Pond Plants - There are four types of pond plants: deep-water aquatics, marginals, submerged oxygenators and free-floaters. For your pond to remain healthy you will need a few plants from each type except free-floaters.Tweet ...
• Gardening in Raised Beds - One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your back is to plant in containers or to install a series of Raised Beds. Indeed if you like to grow vegetables or have an allotment then growing in Raised Beds is often the best way to succeed.Tweet ...

However, I also think that what we would all agree is that it can be back-breaking!

One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your back is to plant in containers or to install a series of Raised Beds. Indeed if you like to grow vegetables or have an allotment then growing in Raised Beds is often the best way to succeed.

The advantages of Raised Beds:

• able to grow in otherwise unsuitable soil or locations
• improved drainage and soil structure
• extra height of soil increases rooting depth
• cloches, tunnels or frames can easily be erected over the beds
• no need to walk on the soil
• you can work at a comfortable height
• especially handy for wheelchair users and those with back problems
• soil compaction is greatly reduced if not eliminated
• close planting creates a micro-climate which leads to healthy plants and bigger crops.

Take a look at this short video from Harrod Horticultural which shows you the advantages of gardening in raised beds:

If you are good at DIY then you should be able to build your own Raised Beds as they did on Gardeners World (click here to see how to build your own).

However, these days there are quite a number of easy to assemble, low maintenance plastic Link-a-Bord kits available on the market which make starting your Raised Bed Garden so much more quick and easy. Harrod Horticulture has a number of different Raised Bed Kits available as well as a wide range of accessories such as Hoops, Covers, Liners and Irrigation Kits so take a look now to find your ideal solution:

Standard Timber Raised Beds	Superior Timber Raised Beds	Allotments Timber Raised Beds	Corner Timber Raised Beds	Manger Raised Planter	Timer Raised Bed Tables

To complete your new garden you will need top soil:

Rolawn Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil is a fertile, organic rich, friable topsoil derived from prime arable land and a consistent organic matter, which ensures consistent results.  A bulk bag is exceptional value containing up to 50% more product than 1 tonne of ordinary topsoil  covering up to 20m² at a depth of 50mm. Also, there is currently a  multi-buy discount on orders of 2 bags or more. Order Now!

So whether you're completely new to raised bed gardening, or you're experienced in this simple, easy and highly effective way of growing, there'll be something for you here...

• 13 Steps to Building a Garden Pond - There are several points you need to consider before building your pond: Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe?Tweet ...
• Add Height to your Garden - Tall, upright plants and structures add an extra element of interest to any garden. Trees and large shrubs are an excellent way of gaining height but they do take up a lot of room and take many years to reach their full size. A quick and easy solution is to use obelisks, arches, pergolas and ...

A quick and easy solution is to use obelisks, arches, pergolas and trellises to grow climbing and rambling plants.

Obelisks come in many shapes and sizes and are available in lots of different materials so you are bound to find one that suits your garden's theme. Place it in the middle of low growing shrubs and perennials for dramatic affect. Many obelisks are classy enough to stand on their own, but better still, plant a showy, summer flowering clematis at the base and allow it to scramble up for a blast of colour in the middle of the border. Better still plant a spring flowering and a summer flowering clematis together for even more impact.

Pergolas should be erected to draw you through the garden to a feature at the end; a specimen plant, an ornament or other structure. Grow climbing roses, grape vines, wisteria or laburnum to produce a colourful, scented walkway. Soften the base of the structure by planting low growing perennials such as hardy geraniums; this will help make the structure look part of the garden and not just an add-on.

Arches are a great way to add height without taking up too much space. Place them where there is a change to the garden to have it act like a gateway; like at the start or end of a patch or between the lawn and the patio. To help it blend into the rest of the garden plant clematis or roses at the base and train them over the arch.

Trellises can be attached to fencing and the walls of garden buildings or houses. They are great for transforming otherwise dull structures or, used free standing; they do a great job of blocking an eye sore. Any climbing plant will be at home on a trellis just ensure that the shoots are tied in securely.

For great decorative garden accessories and zinc garden planters visit Grand Illusions.

For ideas for climbing plants, take a look at Crocus.co.uk.

• Gardening in Raised Beds - One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your back is to plant in containers or to install a series of Raised Beds. Indeed if you like to grow vegetables or have an allotment then growing in Raised Beds is often the best way to succeed.Tweet ...
• 13 Steps to Building a Garden Pond - There are several points you need to consider before building your pond: Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe?Tweet ...