Fibreglass Pond and planting

[Scubapauly]

Hi Folks,

I've managed to aquire a medium sized fibreglass pond (around 6ftx3x3). Its split so half is deep and half is a shallow shelf.
I've got a nice list of english plants to put in it but was wondering the best way to put them in? The sides are sloped and everything is very smooth. Not much in the way of anchor points.
Should I be putting a lot of gravel in to help secure the plants (I want to keep them in pots)? Or can I suspend the pots with lines staked outside the pond?
And advice is appreciated.

Paul

[artdemole]

place plants on raised brick or better still,natural stone so any pond life can find shelter and a home.

[Scubapauly]

Originally Posted by artdemole

place plants on raised brick or better still,natural stone so any pond life can find shelter and a home.

I did think that but was worried about the plants getting knocked over as they get bigger. I had to run a line over a small pond in my garden to stop pots from getting knocked over when the wood pidgeons come in for a drink lol

Paul

[artdemole]

Might have to resort to some chicken wire over pond .It might help.

[Elean0r]

Originally Posted by Scubapauly

Or can I suspend the pots with lines staked outside the pond?

Yes, it's how a local 'Koi' centre suspends marginals around a deep rectangular pond they inherited when they took over the premises. It works better if you can suspend a marginal plant to hide the wire for a deeper plant. Fairly thick wire is more than strong enough, because the containers are part supported by water.

[dampflippers]

Some of mine I have made hooks out of paper clips, and threaded string through the label slots and suspended over the edge. It sort of works! The paper clip hooks under the rolled over rim of the pond.

You could try standing the 4 inch pots in the bigger aquatic pots and keeping them in place with washed gravel or pebbles.