Pond Edging Should be Stable and Safe
In nature, the division between land and water is normally defined by a pebbled beach, an outcropping of rock, or a sheer cliff face. A definite border exists between the two elements, and this should be your model when you start a pond building project. The edging of your pond should not only be beautiful, it should also be made of materials that are stable, solid and strong enough to carry the weight of people who come to admire your pond.
Formal Pond Edging
Formal pond designs usually require materials that can be manipulated to complement the pond’s geometric structure.
Popular choices include concrete, cut stone, tiles and brick. Wood is an attractive edging material for a water garden, but you must make sure it is suitable. Untreated wood which is exposed to moisture will most certainly rot. Furthermore, certain wood types can leach toxins into your pond which are deadly to fish and plants.
Informal Pond Edging
Rough-cut stone, boulders, and flag-stones are the norm for informal ponds. The irregular shapes of these materials hide the shape of the pond, making the pond look as if it were naturally formed.
Be prepared to mortar the edging into place, especially if people will be walking and standing on it. Shifting stones can easily slip into the pond, damaging you pond wildlife and backyard design, and dunking anyone who happened to be on it.
Pebbled beaches, though difficult to maintain, are another edging choice. Not only will it add character to your pond building project, but it is also an easier way of improving your backyard’s design.
Size and Height
The coping of your pond should be slightly sloped, high enough to direct water away from the pond. However, it should also be stable and wide enough for a person to stand on.
Although you may feel that the edging looks contrived, never forget that it serves a purpose in your backyard pond. It separates you pond from your garden, keeping grass and soil from complicating the pond maintenance.
The edging will also provide a safe place from which people can enjoy your pond, and restricts birds and small animals from reaching the fish inside. It conceals utilities installed around your pond and prevents water runoff from seeping in.
Bellow is a video explaining how to install your pond edging. Not all the options are mentioned in there but worth watching anyway:
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