HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-05-08, Page 19Backyard retreat
The soothing sound of water is one of the lovely benefits of this backyard pond. The design,
created by Gerry and Doug Fortune for their Be!grave property is a unique stay-at-home
getaway, a place to calm after a busy week.
Larry's Vac Shop
• SPECIALIZING
IN REPAIRS TO RAINBOW
VACUUMS •
Plus - We now service all major brands:
• Kirby • Filter Queen • Tri-Star Etc.
We Stock • Bags • Belts • Shampoos
350 Morris St.
Blyth, On NOM 1 H0
519-523-4205 1-800-830-3294
LARRY T. BOLGER (Prop.)
We boast about
our largest
selection in
Huron County
Our customers
boast about our
lowest prices
anywhere
Tel.: 519-357-1519
R.R. #3 Wingham, Ontario
One mile west of Wingham
Just For Mother's Day
FREE 4" tuberous begonia with purchase
on Friday, Saturday & Sunday only
Greyhayen
Gardens
Drop in and see our greenhouse
overflowing with gorgeous,
vivid colours of summer.
OVER 4, 000 HANGING BASKETS, PLANTERS
& PATIO POTS
Nothing is more rewarding than the
lovely bloom and heavenly scent of
flowers
Open Monday - Saturday, dawn to dusk
for the Spring Season.
Open Mother's Day 1 - 5 p.m.
1/8 mile west of Londesboro
turn west at the Hillcrest Restaurant
(519) 523-9781
Seaforth
Blyth ot`e'cti5wy c#°4 linton
r —
Ct
y
.
Rd
.
2
5
Ct
y
.
R
d
1
5
.
RICreyhaven
Cardin Centre
enmiller
Carlow iFco
•c-
Goderich
Annuals, Flowering Bags, Nursery Stock
Perennials, & Perennial lilies already in bloom Pi
e^s 4.1
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1996 PAGE 19.
Home & Garden '96
Ponds becoming popular backyard retreats
By Bonnie Gropp
The babbling of a brook, the pat-
ter of a gentle summer rain.
Wouldn't it be nice to have bliss-
fully soothing water sounds such as
this right in your own backyard?
Ponds have become a popular
feature for people looking for a
way to unwind while at the same
time beautify their homes. Gerry
and Doug Fortune of Belgrave had
been considering the idea of
installing a small pond in their yard
for several years. "It was something
we've wanted for a long time.
They're nice to look at and the
sound of water is so soothing," says
Gerry.
Planning to do the work them-
selves, the Fortunes attended gar-
den shows to get ideas, then last
year decided to take the plunge. "It
got to the point where we knew we
weren't experts, but if we were ever
going to do it, we would just have
to start and muddle through," says
Gerry.
The first step was to determine
the type of pool to best suit their
property and tastes. Gerry used one
large garden hose to outline the
outside edge of the pool area, then
used a second to determine the
shape of the actual water area. She
ended up with an egg-shaped water
portion with plants built around the
edge and a peninsula extending
from the opposite end. "It became
much bigger than we originally
planned," says Gerry, due primarily
to the existing landscape. "Perspec-
tive-wise that's how it worked out.
Smaller just wasn't practical when
you looked at everything else."
Once she had settled on the
shape, they used a spray bomb of
paint to outline the plan, then began
digging.
Rather than having the pond
level, the Fortunes decided to build
up the edges, to add depth to the
backyard. Because of this they
were able to make use of the top-
soil by piling it around the edges.
Stakes were placed around the dirt,
then a 2x4 was laid around the
stakes in order to get it level around
the edges. -
The interior of the pond is rela-
tively shallow, level, but sloping
with the sides gradually sloped as
well.
After digging, the Fortunes had
to rake the bottom of the pond and
remove every stone, even the tiniest
ones, from the base. They then put
a layer of sand. "This means you
have to dig a little deeper than the
depth you want for the pool
because you will add about two to
three inches of sand to the bottom,"
says Gerry.
A cloth liner is then placed over
the sand, followed by a rubber
length of 23 feet."You have to
make sure to purchase enough so
that the liner can be extended one
foot over the edge of the pond,"
advises Gerry.
Flagstones were then placed
around the edge to hold the liner.
Gerry matched the uneven edges
and opted for a slight overhang to
shadow the pond, then put a second
layer around the top to cover
cracks.
Flagstones were also placed
around the edges of the built up
sides, a task which Gerry said was
quite time consuming as they had
to be carefully matched.
The couple also purchased some
very large rocks, one mammoth one
and two smaller ones, which were
set in place with a crane to create a
waterfall. A cement pad or patio
stones has to be placed underneath
these, depending, Gerry says, on
concern about frost. "We chose
Continued on page 22
liner. Gerry and Doug selected a
heavy rubber liner from an area
nursery. These come in different
thicknesses and colours. The For-
tunes opted for a more expensive
one because of the warranty and the
fact that it is sun resistant.
Some retail places sell them pre-
cut, but because of the size of the
Fortunes' pond they had to find a
store that sold the liner by the run-
ning foot. They used a standard
width size of 15 feet and and a