[tigger]

Hi Southlonder. I have a new pond in my garden (completed in June). When it was dug we made sure there was a shelf around the edge (about 8inch deep) where we could plant aquatics that don't like the deep water, then the rest of the stuff has gone in the deeper water (about 1 1/2 ft), I also shallowed the water at one end, so that birds can use it to bath and drink, and made sure I put lots of rocks and old wood around the edge (for stuff to crawl into and hide).

With regards to "how" I put plants in, I actually bought some woven plant pots. These are great because you can turn the top over and make them what ever depth/size you need for the specific plant you are putting in, and they cling onto the shelf a lot easier than plastic aquatic pots (they also stop the roots from escaping quite so fast and the plants taking over the pond).

I've tried to stick to native pond plants (wild watercress, mint, etc) but I must admit I would quite like a lily as the centrepiece!

Lots of insects have already moved in (including two southern hawkers), plus a frog and snails and the foxes and badgers use it to drink.... I love it (don't know how I survived without it in the garden).

Good luck with yours!

Jane