Suggestions appreciated

[mtravigne]

So we started building our pond recently (pond is partially full) and you see that shelf there under the rocks? I designed it as a plant shelf but it wasn’t meant to be so wide... anyway. Husband thinks small river rocks there and I’m open to any suggestions you may have as far as making that shelf look natural and hopefully disappear a little in the design. Thank you!

 

[Mmathis]

Flat rocks, like flagstones, maybe?

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Flat rocks, like flagstones, maybe?

I agree! That would probably be easy and look nice.

 

[bagsmom]

I wouldn't worry about it being too wide! I have shelves of different widths and depths. I really don't like the ones that are too narrow - I've had plants fall off and slide to the bottom. I really DO like my wide shelves!!!! It is neat seeing the fish swim all around the rocks and plants in a shallow area. It's visually very nice. And I swear the fish enjoy it. Can't wait to see the finished pond!

 

[Lisak1]

I agree! Wide shelves allow for bigger pots, bigger planting beds, and even access areas where you can walk into the pond. And it is fun to watch the fish poke around in the shallows.

 

[sissy]

Liner will get covered by muck an plants in pots will cover most of it so why worry .

 

[Mmathis]

When I redid my pond (we had water table and shifting clay issues!), I specifically made my perimeter shelf wide as I wanted to pile it up with rocks! I wasn’t so much interested in shelves for plants because I wanted to allow the plants to naturalized among the rocks instead of having them in pots.. Plus, there is never any liner showing. Now I wish I had made the shelves even wider than I did!

 

[mtravigne]

Thanks all for the advice!

 

[j.w]

Wide is good and if you need rocks I think flat ones are easier to allow crud to flow off the shelves. Any round type rocks laying on a flat surface will hold the crud in between them and will make it harder to keep the water clear.

 

[Angel]

wide shelves are good gives the fish a place to chill and warm up. also when you feed you can see them better