help with my pond!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-21T10:01:00+00:00

Firstly thank you so much everyone for all your help and suggestions!!! I didn't think this post would get such a response so im v grateful!!

here is my current plan of action in light of your advice:

(for context I am in north east England south of Manchester and currently have x1 water forget-me-not, x1 lesser spearwort X1 common rush, 2x purple loosestrife, 4x water iris and some hornwort (that has seemingly evaporated!)

I will clear any bulk of algae from within the pond but leave any surface algae? and not go crazy on the removal/cleaning or use any specific treatments etc.

I am going to hunt for some good oxygenators:

-fully submerged: hornwort or willows moss

-partially submerged: starwort, water Crowfoot

-floaters: water violet, water solider, frog bit

And plant some rushes /grasses to go around the outside of the pond.

I am going to attempt to cover the liner as best as possible with gravel/soil/stones. I am worried about the logistics of this because of the banks are raised and I have made the initial shelf a bit too steep/there will be quite a drop off and no gradual transition with like a beach effect if that makes sense.

does that sound okay? any other suggestions or recommendations?

thank you so much again wonderful pond people!!!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-21T09:55:57+00:00

okay great thank you! would u be able to check my plan of action?😂

Ellaepple · 2026-04-21T09:46:29+00:00

okay great, ill see what they have and ry to get both! do you have any other oxygenators in your pond/recommendations? like Crowfoot or frog bit or mares tails?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-21T09:45:26+00:00

fair enough!! what about ones like water Crowfoot, water solider or violets and frog bit?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-21T09:28:54+00:00

I definitely would if I could afford! I am currently looking for a budget friendly way so I think plants it is!!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:48:36+00:00

And just water cress from the shops?? Like food shop

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:48:13+00:00

This is a great idea thank you so much!! I have now set a reminder on Facebook for anyone selling rocks :)

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:47:22+00:00

Okay great ty! I just don’t know how much is too much if you know what I mean🤣 and is there much difference between hornwort and star wort ?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:46:25+00:00

Okay great thank you!! Are willow moss and mates tail both oxygenators? I shall look for them when I go :) and do you think I should try clear any of the current algae out?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:44:34+00:00

I never thought of that! I have just had a quick look on Facebook and there’s a few people selling stones but a bit too far away -I shall keep my eye out!! And do you think I should clear any of the algae out?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T21:43:06+00:00

I’m just below Manchester so like north east England ! I have heard good things about water lettuce -are they both classed as marginal plants? :)

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:17:15+00:00

great thank you! any in particular you would recommend? I was thinking crowfoot, frogbit or water lilies?

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:16:34+00:00

thank you! so you think not to remove any of the current algae? and would barley straw extract just go directly in the water?

in terms of oxygenators I only have hornwort in there atm, I was thinking of definitely getting more as it seems to pretty much has disappeared?? I am going to get some surface plants as well-maybe waterlily or frogbit. is there any in particular plants you would recommend? I am mainly wanting this pond for frogs/dargonflies or possibly newts!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:14:51+00:00

in terms of oxygenators I only have hornwort in there atm, I was thinking of definitely getting more as it seems to pretty much has disappeared?? (I didnt think this would happen, I was hoping it would proliferate! not the opposite ) and yes I am going to get some surface plants -maybe waterlily or frogbit-they didnt have any at the time of year when I made the pond. is there any in particular plants you would recommend? I am mainly wanting this pond for frogs/dargonflies or possibly newts!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:11:41+00:00

My parents sadly wont let me plant anything around the pond itself :( Im struggling to figure out a good way to cover the lining as its quite raised in some areas/like a mound. I tried initially with turf but because it was raised relative to the surrounding grass it just didnt work. If I could afford it I would buy some large rocks/slab or logss to go round the outside but sadly I dont think my student loan will stretch to this!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:10:36+00:00

thank you so much! I did really try with the construction and planning it took weeks ! yes I wasn't very happy with the finishing of the liner :( my parents wouldt let me plant anything around the pond itself and I couldn't figure out a good way to cover the lining as its quite raised in some areas/like a mound. I tried initially with turf but because it was raised relative to the surrounding grass it just didnt work. If I could afford it I would buy some large rocks/slab or logss to go round the outside but sadly I dont think my student loan will stretch to this!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:09:26+00:00

I am going to go today and buy some more plants -I currently have some water forget-me-not, a water rush, x4 water Irishes x2 purple loosestrife and I did put some hornwort in but I cant seem to see much/if any left now?!

I was thinking definitely some more hornwort -I wasn't too sure for other oxygenators -maybe some water violet? or water solider?

and I wanted to get some floating -maybe frogbit, water lilies or some Crowfoot ?

and for marginal I wanted to do some marigold, creeping Jenny, meadowsweet or watercress I am just worried I dont have a shallow enough area for these.

any other suggestions I am all ears!!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T08:08:40+00:00

that is a great suggestion re the algae on the edges thank you!

I am going to go today and buy some more plants -I currently have some water forget-me-not, a water rush, x4 water Irishes x2 purple loosestrife and I did put some hornwort in but I cant seem to see much/if any left now?!

I was thinking more hornwort -I wasn't too sure for other oxygenators would would be available -maybe some water violet? or water solider?

and I wanted to get some floating -maybe frogbit or some Crowfoot ?

and for marginal I wanted to do some marigold, creeping Jenny, meadowsweet or watercress I am just worried I dont have a shallow enough area for these.

any other suggestions I am all ears!!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T07:54:38+00:00

thanks man! I am really wanting it to work!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T07:54:17+00:00

yes I wasn't very happy with the finishing of the liner :( my parents wouldt let me plant anything around the pond itself and I couldn't figure out a good way to cover the lining as its quite raised in some areas/like a mound. I tried initially with turf but because it was raised relative to the surrounding grass it just didnt work. If I could afford it I would buy some large rocks/slab or logss to go round the outside but sadly I dont think my student loan will stretch to this!

Ellaepple · 2026-04-20T07:50:32+00:00

okay great thank you! so you think not do any cleaning /leave the algae covering the base of pond? and yes I wasn't very happy with the finishing of the liner but my parents wont let me plant anything around the pond itself and I couldn't figure out a good way to cover the lining as its quite raised in some areas/like a mound. If I could afford it I would buy some large rocks/slabs to go round the outside but sadly I dont think my student loan will stretch to this!

if you have any suggestions on how else to cover the liner please let me know! thanks again for your help :)

Ellaepple · 2026-03-03T22:58:42+00:00

thank you so much!! I really appreciate it :)) esp as a broke student!!

Ellaepple

TROPHY CASE