Getting rid of the pond border ring

[Big Lou]

My objective is to rid our water garden of its ubiquitous flat stone edging on the front and left side. That entire area is in shade so mulch or some type of growing ground cover will replace the flat stones. The problem is what to do with the on-bank liner. It extends approximately 12 to 18 inches around the front and left side perimeter. I've given thought to burying the on-bank liner to within a couple of inches from the pond edge. This exposed liner would some how have to be disguised. Also have to prevent the new ground cover from getting into the water. The ponds liner is 43 mil EDPM.

Is my scheme to bury the perimeter lining a good idea? Has anyone else taken on such a task? As always your comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed.

 

[Dave 54]

Big Lou why not just dig down under the liner drop it down a little then place your stones on top again this will hold the liner inplace and the mulch can disguise the flagstone , I hope this help you bro ?

Dave

 

[Lisak1]

We have a section of our pond edge that is buried, I think as you are describing. Basically we pulled the edge all the way back (probably 12-14 inches from the point where a rock would go if there were to be a rock at that spot). The ground underneath gradually slopes upwards and the liner follows that upwards slope away from the edge. That area is shallow and attracts frogs who sit and wait for the bees and other insects that use that area for getting a quick drink. It's a great way to break up the round-the-pond-with-rocks look.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

My objective is to rid our water garden of its ubiquitous flat stone edging on the front and left side. That entire area is in shade so mulch or some type of growing ground cover will replace the flat stones. The problem is what to do with the on-bank liner. It extends approximately 12 to 18 inches around the front and left side perimeter. I've given thought to burying the on-bank liner to within a couple of inches from the pond edge. This exposed liner would some how have to be disguised. Also have to prevent the new ground cover from getting into the water. The ponds liner is 43 mil EDPM.

Is my scheme to bury the perimeter lining a good idea? Has anyone else taken on such a task? As always your comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed.

Why not just fold the excess liner under?

 

[Lisak1]

Why not just fold the excess liner under?

Our purpose was to create a beach-like look along one edge - like you could just wade in. That area is covered with small gravel.

 

[Big Lou]

Big Lou why not just dig down under the liner drop it down a little then place your stones on top again this will hold the liner inplace and the mulch can disguise the flagstone , I hope this help you bro ?

Dave

Re my scheme I would dig down under the liner. The liner is then below ground level. The displaced soil is then placed over the liner. Next the mulch is placed over the soil. The stone is then taken away.

Help me better understand your reason for retaining the stone. Interesting.

 

[Big Lou]

Why not just fold the excess liner under?

Correct me if I am wrong Meyer.

If I fold the liner under itself it is then thicker due to the folds. Placing mulch over the higher folded liner would increase the likelihood of the mulch getting into the pond.

?

 

[Big Lou]

Our purpose was to create a beach-like look along one edge - like you could just wade in. That area is covered with small gravel.

Great look. The front and left side of our pond has steep banks. Large stones are positioned against these steep banks so replicating your look is not reall feasible.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Correct me if I am wrong Meyer.

If I fold the liner under itself it is then thicker due to the folds. Placing mulch over the higher folded liner would increase the likelihood of the mulch getting into the pond.

?

Are the sides of your pond rocked?

 

[DrCase]

A picture would be nice ! Lou

 

[Big Lou]

I want to remove the flat stones marked with a red X. Thanks for your help.

 

[Mucky_Waters]

It's always good to leave excess liner when building your pond and to allow for any settling. but I believe your pond is a few years old now and surely has settled to the point where you don't need 18" of excess any more. I would just trim it back so you could easily fold it back on itself as Meyers suggested and place a random stones (similar to the stones in the water level) over the folded liner to hide it and hold it down. Planting some creeping Jenny (or something similar) in the dirt side of the liner will quickly grow over and hide every thing nicely.
You are right to want to get rid of the flat stone along the top edge though. I've always found the look of mixed stones with round and flat doesn't look natural. Better to keep all the stones of the same type, just varying the size.

 

[Big Lou]

Great suggestion.

 

[Big Lou]

Removed the flat stones. Found all kinds of insects. Next I have to get in the pond to see what I can do with the left side wall big stones.

 

[Big Lou]

Have any of you ever used ground fabric pins (upside down U shaped) to secure excess liner?