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Post by seanmckinney on Feb 21, 2007 20:19:01 GMT 1
Fair enough. I didnt realise this was a school project, btw if the path mentioned would form barrier it would be better broken into sections more like stepping stones in a sea of grass.
Vegitation would be a better than "I intend to provide access in and out with large pebbles"
Some questions, will these be walled ponds and will the walls be wide at the top?
I have a wall at the back of a rockery behind my with pond and I cut or built plant beds into the top pf the 9" wide wall. One bed was made by forming a box from sections of 2" concrete flagstones, that is about 9" deep whilst the others, about 3" deep, were made by cutting and chiseling out a trough in the top course of block work
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 21, 2007 21:35:11 GMT 1
The ponds are built of wooden blocks and are about 3" wide I believe (haven't unpacked them yet - they're still in the school shed). Quite sturdy anyway. I will obviously be putting vegetation in as well for access but thought I'd better specify that there will be ramps too. The school is a primary/junior school btw so there are obvious implications with the path and height of the ponds.
Your pond sounds interesting - how about posting a picture please??
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Post by seanmckinney on Feb 24, 2007 12:38:14 GMT 1
just filled and edging 1   summer 2005  |
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Post by Sleepy on Feb 24, 2007 12:40:54 GMT 1
What a beautiful pond!  |
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 24, 2007 12:42:58 GMT 1
Just what I was thinking, makes mine look like a puddle! ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 24, 2007 18:03:29 GMT 1
Now that is a fine pond Sean! Ooh, I'd love one like that at school but it's an absolute no no sadly. It looks beautiful. Cheers!
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 6, 2007 21:24:35 GMT 1
Here are are the ponds mid construction - they are bigger than they look!  |
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Post by alicat on Mar 6, 2007 21:37:49 GMT 1
 They look great 4P - I can just imagine all the children round them dipping for wildlife. Have you spent all your vouchers yet?
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 6, 2007 21:48:30 GMT 1
Were they easy to put together? They do look good I agree! ;D
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Post by plocket on Mar 7, 2007 9:21:03 GMT 1
They look fantastic 4P! What do the kids think so far?
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 7, 2007 10:16:39 GMT 1
Thanks - they're lovely aren't they? Which was a relief after I'd spent all that money on them  ......the slightly depressing thing is that only one teacher came to look at them and she said that they should be split up so the kids could get round each one. When I explained about the wildlife corridor etc, she said it didn't matter if there weren't any frogs etc in them! I think I may have a battle on my hands...what is the point of a wildlife pond if you limit the amount of wildlife that will be living in them right from the start? It seems she's more concerned with how easy it is for her! |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 7, 2007 10:20:25 GMT 1
Ignore her, when they are full of water, let her try to move them, some people are truly stupid, even (or especially) the highly educated!  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 7, 2007 10:24:06 GMT 1
I know! I was a bit gobsmacked myself!
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 7, 2007 10:32:41 GMT 1
My first hubbie was a genius by educational standards, but quite unable to think for himself in normal life, a highly intelligent moron.
You know what you are doing, she shouldnt be trying to change things. If she took a party to a wildlife centre she would accept the set-up without question, dont you think?
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Post by plocket on Mar 7, 2007 10:46:28 GMT 1
The teacher sounds like an ejit! And you are responsible for the garden aren't you? So surely it's up to you to do what's best? This is crazy so early on in the project!
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Post by madonplants on Mar 7, 2007 11:24:15 GMT 1
Is the teacher jealous because you got the project? Anyway, so what if frogs don't come, there will still be lots of other wildlife for the kids to see and net out!! Hold your head up high for doing this, against the odds!!  Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 7, 2007 17:57:09 GMT 1
I don't think she's jealous - none of the teachers have had much imput but this teacher will be using the ponds as part of her teaching curriculum. I've decided you're right - I'll position them as I think is best. I'll do it MY WAY! The sand is on order for the base and then we can put in the underlay and liner - can't wait! I'm thinking of ordering the Wiggley Worms wildlife pond plant kit (or two) - has anyone ever bought it? Or had any experience with them? Their catalogue is really good.
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Post by plocket on Mar 7, 2007 18:06:52 GMT 1
I find WW very helpful if I've got queries and have ordered from them, but not the pond kit. I got my wormery from them and would recommend them to anyone.
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Post by madonplants on Mar 7, 2007 18:25:39 GMT 1
Sorry can't help with the pond kits, but have bought worms from them (to feed my catfish) and they have been excellent, in condition and delivery time. If you want to order, why not ask what will be in the kits? I am sure you won't be disappointed, if the selection is OK. Have an idea what plants you would like, before you contact them and see how the list compares.
Keith
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Post by alicat on Mar 7, 2007 18:27:08 GMT 1
4P - I think I can see where the teacher is coming from in so much as you will probably get more children round each one than being together but to me it would make more sense to have it as you have done it, not just for the wildlife but she will be able to talk to the group as a whole and keep more of an eye on the children especially the ones that are a little bit more mischievous.
The other thing is how can she say it doesn't matter there are no frogs in the pond. I'm sure the cycle of the tadpole becoming a frog is in the national Curriculum from the age of 3. I remember BM and LM doing it at nursery and they thought it was great.
From a child's point of view it is fascinating to see how it changes shape loses it's tail and grows legs.
Keep doing what you are doing - it will be wonderful and I'm sure she will come round and be very pleased in the end.
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Post by The witch on Mar 7, 2007 19:05:18 GMT 1
Here are are the ponds mid construction - they are bigger than they look! You have sited them splendidly IMO  I reckon the teacher concerned is rather short sighted though!!! |
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Post by seanmckinney on Mar 13, 2007 19:11:35 GMT 1
"didn't matter if there weren't any frogs etc in them" was there a rather pongy smell at the same time as she said those words?
Given the constraints you are working under I think your aiming at a grand target, keep on going.
I have seen somewhere reference to sand and under lay but cant see where I saw it at the minute. Incase you have said what you are putting where and I have missed it can you repeat it.
With regard to lining wooden 'tanks' something has just occurred to me, would it be a good idea to provide some way of ventilating the liner woodwork interface. You might be best asking a joiner or carpenter about that. I lined the walls of my concrete shelled fishpond with 1" polystyrene which was available cheaply from B&Q in 8ft x4ft sheets. (Damp and rot isnt an issue with concrete.) Sheet polystyrene is a good insulator and a relatively good cushion but I wouldnt use it again for lining the floor as I cant walk on it.
Also, has the wood been treated and if so with what?
If any treatment is poisonous it would IMO be an idea to have the liner cover all of the top od the tank lips and drape down the outsides a bit so that no contaminated water can get in. The liner edges could be covered with a batton of some sort.
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 13, 2007 20:25:23 GMT 1
Here are the finished ponds. I am really pleased with them! Thanks very much for your thoughts Sean - I am assured by the company that no ventilation is necessary and that the wood treatment is considered safe for fish. I won't be having fish so hopefully it's going to be fine. I have 1/4 filled each pond and discovered two big pond baskets in the school shed which I have filled with huge flintstones (they're all over the place round here). I shall use them as shelves for marginal plants and intend to buy several more. Next job is to construct a grassy ramp and plant up with shrubby plants to give some cover for creatures going in and out. I've ordered my native pond plant kit from Wiggley Worms...things are shaping up! Greenhouse construction next.......  |
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Post by karenwl on Mar 13, 2007 21:51:28 GMT 1
They look great a job well done i think.
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 13, 2007 22:00:54 GMT 1
Why, thanks Karenwl..but it's only just started.......
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