Building A Raised Water Garden
At a glance:
This example will demonstrate how to build a Building a Raised Water Garden.
1) Start the project by cutting 6 3' lengths of patio timber. On the cut end of each timber, measure in 1¾", roughly on center and mark the spot with a pencil. Next measure across the timber and make another mark at 1¾". Repeat this on the rest of the 3' pieces. Make the same mark on each end of the 6 8' timbers as well.
2) Use a 1" spade point or bit to make 1" deep countersink holes in each end of 2 8' timbers and 2 3' timbers, using the marks you made as guides. These allow the bolts that hold the container together to be countersunk. Next drill 3/8" holes everywhere you made a mark, including the pieces in which you drilled 1" holes.
3) Next slide 3' lengths of 5/16" threaded rod through the 1" holes you made in the 3' timbers. On the end of the rod with the countersunk hole, place a ¾" washer and nut.
Click picture to enlarge
Click picture to enlarge
4) Position the 3' timbers 8' apart, parallel, with the rods facing up. Slide 2 8' timbers over the rods as shown. Add a layer of 3' timbers over the 8' timbers. Continue laying the rest of the timbers. The last timbers you place on the rods should be 8' lengths with 1" countersink holes facing up.
5) Measure the distance between each missing timber, and cut a piece to the proper size. Insert the pieces you cut into the open spaces between the timbers. If they don't fit snugly they may bulge out when the liner is filled with water. You can toenail the pieces in place with 4" nails or attach them with deck screws.
6) A plywood bottom under the container will keep any rocks or other sharp objects from poking through the liner. A 3'x8' sheet of ¼", exterior-rated plywood is sufficient. Use a spirit level to level the container, shimming it if necessary.
7) Remove the top layer of timbers from the container. Lay your liner in the container and fill it with water, removing creases and wrinkles as it fills. For a 3'x8' container that is 2' tall, use a liner that is at least 9'x14' in size. This allows 1' of overlap on each side.
8) After the container is filled, fold the liner over the timbers on each side, and staple it at 2" intervals. Trim off the excess liner.
9) Place the 4 timbers you removed back on the container, and secure with ¾" washers and 5/16" nuts. Use 4" nails or deck screws to secure the two top pieces that are not connected by threaded rod.
Addtional Demo Comments
What you need:
18 8' patio timbers
4 3' 5/16" threaded rods
8 5/16" nuts
8 3/4" washers
9'x14' pond liner
3'x8' 1/4" exterior-grade plywood
Staple gun
Tape measure
Pencil
Electric drill
1" spade bit
3/8" drill bit
Handsaw
Hammer
4" nails or deck screws
Building a raised patio timber pond is a great way to incorporate a water garden in your landscape without picking up a shovel.
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