Create a Wandering Garden Stream
This meandering wandering garden stream flows between man-made ponds in an expansive garden. Although there is no obvious movement, it is in fact pumped. Aeration of the water keeps it so clear you can see the river stones at the base of the stream. The construction of this wandering watercourse is relatively simple, although it is a labor-intensive project the end results are stunning. Pump requirements will depend on the size, length and height from bottom to top of the garden stream.
Items that you will need for this waterway:
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Cement
Sand
Bitumen Sealer
Tamper
River Stones
Materials
For a garden stream measuring approximately 5m x 1m (16 ft 5 in x 3 ft 2 in and 800-900 mm (about 3 ft) deep:
600 kg (1,320 lb) cement
0.9 m³ (1 cu yd) sand
0.9 m³ (1 cu yd) crushed stone waterproofing additive
15 liters (3¼ gal) rubberized bitumen sealer (optional)
river stones
Preparation
Step 1 – Set out the garden stream
Peg out the garden stream in keeping with the landscaping plan of your garden as a whole. Mark it in some way, preferably with builder’s line or string and pegs. Alternatively, lay out the course with river stones.
Step 2 – Dig out
Dig out the soil to a depth of 1 m (3 ft) ensuring that the sides of the excavation slope gradually outwards (or you will find it difficult to line with concrete without additional reinforcing or shuttering). Remove the soil.
Concrete
Step 3 – Compact Dirt
Compact the dirt in the excavation well with a steel tamper or punner.
Step 4 -Mix Concrete
Now mix the concrete in batches in the ratio 1.2.2 of cement, sand and stone, and then add the waterproofing medium and water. Note that the quantity of waterproofing medium will depend on what you are using; follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 5 – Spread Concrete
Line the excavation with a 100 mm (4 in) thick layer of concrete; flatten and compact it as described here: Informal Koi Pond.
Step 6 – Leave To Set Dry
After at least 48 hours, when the concrete has thoroughly set, you can paint it with bitumen. This will be an additional precaution against water leaking.
Stones
Step 7 – Put In River Stones
When the bitumen is dry, line the walls and basin of the concrete course with river stones. Lay them like a dry stone wall, with the larger ones at the bottom and smaller ones on top.
Finishing off
Step 8 – Planting
For a natural wandering garden stream look, you will need to plant marsh-loving species along the banks of the watercourse. Grasses may be encouraged to grow up to its edges. You could also build a simple bridge to enable you to cross the stream at some point.
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