Josh from GISG
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:57 pm
Location: Grand Island, NY / Nara, Japan

Pond construction

I was wondering your advice about waterfall and pond construction. For a larger pond, say 10 meters by 4 meters maybe, is it standard procedure to go with the pond liners?
I have seen a lot of gardens in Japan, even smaller home ones, and many seem to be cemented. But at least in the states many of the DIY ponds seem to be done with the liner.
Do any of you have any thought s on working with cement? Is it more expensive but more solid, especially if working with larger stones?

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

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applestar
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Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

With all the earthquakes in Japan, I would've thought flexible liner would last longer.... or would the shifts be large enough to tear the liner, and cracks in the cement be easier to repair in the long run?

What's the typical practice for folks along the Pacific coast of U.S.A.?

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froggy
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Location: Toronto, ON, zone 5a

There is a cement-like but rubbery/plasticy substance I've seen used on ponds.
I think it comes in bricks and gets spread and flattened a lot like asphalt (sorry, I don't know the name of it).
Depending on your climate (especially if you have low freezing and changing temperatures) cement might not be able to take the abuse and end up cracking (apparently if you layer in straw it gets more resilient though).
I think a lot of the consideration also depends on what kind of ground you are working with, whether you are shaping, layering and constructing an underbelly or just plopping in the pond (I think that's where the liner would be most convenient).
At the size you mentioned, at least you know it would be inconvenient to work with a mold ;)

Best would probably be to talk to a local garden center or landscaper - depending on whether you are planning on doing this yourself or hiring somebody...

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manofthetrees
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Location: west seneca ny

first thing are you puting this pond in Japan or Grand island (I'm from west seneca)... I don't see why cement wouldn't work, inground pools survive, the pond would need to be drained b4 winter tho. clay will also work thats how very large ponds retain their water

Josh from GISG
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:57 pm
Location: Grand Island, NY / Nara, Japan

Sorry, I'm thinking of the Grand Island area. West Seneca is close but you guys probably have great soil, the soil on the island is virtually clay anyway, so that may be something to look into. Thanks. I may scale my plans back to more of a waterfall and longer, winding stream. I'm also aiming for sometime toward the end of winter, early spring.

You're right, there are quite a few earthquakes here in Japan. It seems though that the preference for cement, even at smaller home gardens, comes from the fact that usually people have it done by professionals and they just traditionally go with cement, maybe less maintenance in the long run. There is nowhere near the amount of DIYers in Japan therefore liner and pumps are pretty rare to see at any garden centers (which are also rare) or home centers. I am working at a Japanese garden landscaping place in Osaka now, but we usually deal more with trees and shrubs. I do have a real interest in waterfalls and rocks although it seems that most places are specialists in a specific area of the garden and rarely do everything.



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