South Texas Backyard Oasis

[rrasco]

Life has been busy and I was doing some work on the house so I haven't made much progress on the renovations yet, but came across this pic from about 2 years ago with everything in full bloom.

https://imgur.com/lPO8sTA

 

[GBBUDD]

looks like some nice clear water. It appears you have restrained from overloading your pond .. nice

 

[rrasco]

Thanks. The bog really seemed to work well before, so hopefully I get similar results after all the renovations.

 

[rrasco]

Been very busy this year but finally managed to get some work done that I forgot to share. Finished this about 2 weeks ago. I will get some more updated pictures this weekend as things have already changed and started to grow in!

 

[GBBUDD]

congrads Looks tranquil. A little critique or fyi if you start thinking you have a leave the folds in your bog are in the 2" zone that water can whick UPWARD by it's self. A quick easy fix is to caulk the fold stoping the water. it works like a straw but no one is sucking it up it does it on it's own

 

[rrasco]

congrads Looks tranquil. A little critique or fyi if you start thinking you have a leave the folds in your bog are in the 2" zone that water can whick UPWARD by it's self. A quick easy fix is to caulk the fold stoping the water. it works like a straw but no one is sucking it up it does it on it's own

Thanks for the tip!

It's interesting you say that because this pond is 8 years old and over the years there have been some days I lose so much water! My wife would suggest something was drinking water from the pond to which I would reply "Like what, an elephant!" I used to keep the pea gravel higher too, which caused more debris to pile up and my running theory is that the water was wicking out of the bog. I think I'll take the opportunity to caulk the folds before I finish it out.

 

[rrasco]

As promised - updated photos.

I'm working on digging out the berm I built up around the bog originally (2nd photo). I just don't have enough room in this area to use that space as I was. It's too hard to move around the pond with it there. I had it planted with chocolate chip ajugas which I absolutely loved, especially when they bloom. I will be putting a nice walkway around instead. Then I am planning to add a layer concrete to the cinder blocks vertically and carve them by hand to match the raised blocks I used on the pond section.

I still have decided on coping/capping since I don't like anything I have found. I want something formal yet natural-ish. I may make my own cap stones.

 

[sissy]

and then you realize you are never done and you will see changes you want to make or things you want to add , BEEN THERE DONE THAT SINCE 2004

 

[sissy]

make your own cap stones you can find on youtube and also one of the ponders on here made a video of how to make them

 

[rrasco]

and then you realize you are never done and you will see changes you want to make or things you want to add , BEEN THERE DONE THAT SINCE 2004

Why do you think I dug it up after 8 years?

I was always wishing I dug it deeper the first time. I would have gone deeper this time but I was limited by existing liner and didn't want to redo all that. Hopefully next pond build will be on new property and MUCH bigger.

 

[GBBUDD]

Take my word for it bigger requires more attention if your crazy about the settings like I can be. 5 years old and I'm adding more lights a shower a beach two walk ways and God only knows what I'll dream up next

 

[rrasco]

Take my word for it bigger requires more attention if your crazy about the settings like I can be. 5 years old and I'm adding more lights a shower a beach two walk ways and God only knows what I'll dream up next

Wish I had the space. I have huge plans for the next place! Almost can't wait.

 

[GBBUDD]

HERE is something you might like

 

[rrasco]

HERE is something you might like

What a coincidence you posted this as I was literally thinking about using pea gravel to make a cobblestone look. I'm also considering using a texture stamp but that costs money.

 

[sissy]

I made a textured stamp from rubber that you buy in a can