RAISED POND PART IV - TOP COLLAR

Right then.  So far we have a large timber box filled with plastic and water that hasn’t leaked in three days.  Great but it doesn’t really look very pretty, does it?

 

No leaks but very unsightly

There’s that unsightly layer of overhang that needs sorting out.  A bit like my muffin tops only it’ll be a lot easier to trim these off.  Mine are going to need liposuction! 

But before we take scissors to the offending surplus underlay and lining, we’re going to add a nice timber collar to finish off the top edge of the pond and hide everything else.  

To make the top collar, use some more pieces of reversible decking.  This time cut the planks slightly longer than each side to allow for the corners to be mitred.  If you really can’t be bothered with all that mitre nonsense then just use straight pieces as it really doesn’t matter.  We used 2 x 2.4 m lengths of decking to cut out 2 x 1.19 cm long sections and 2 x shorter sections each 0.94 cm long.

 

Top collar pieces

Again, waterproof your timber with a suitable weatherproof product and leave to dry before fitting.

 

Suitably weatherproofed

The top collar is rather like making a picture frame that is going to sit along the top edge of the pond structure.  Each section of the frame needs to be centrally balanced on the edge so that it slightly overhangs both the inside and outside of the pond.

 

Top collar should overhang at the front and back

Right, now you can get the scissors.  Carefully trim off any excess liner/underlay so it is close to the top edge where it can’t be seen once the collar is fitted. 

Time to get rid of the excess overhang

Trim carefully with scissors close to the edge

Much neater and with enough overhang to trap under the collar

Screw each collar section into position carefully, tightly abutting the mitred corner joins – remember whatever you do, don’t pierce the liner below the waterline!  It’s quite a feat fitting the collar as unless you’ve made your pond with sleepers there is only a narrow edge for you to screw into.

 

Align the mitred corners before screwing down

And now for the great pond unveiling – ta dah!  All it needs is a few plants plus a solar fountain to create a calming oasis and habitat for any passing frogs or local wildlife.

Now top up with water to the desired waterline

Finished pond ready for plants and solar fountain

I declare our 'Special Landscaping Operation' to be a resounding victory - Russia take note!

View along the back border

View across from pond to RNLI shed

Border planting completed