The charm of a pond is that you can give it a shape however you like, making it your unique creation, and pond liner plays a big part in allowing that fantasy to be real. However, it does interfere with the aesthetics you’re going for.
So, how to hide pond liner and go for a natural look?. The easiest way is to hide the pond liner using natural components like rocks or plants. River friendly bricks or flagstones also work.
Want to see how to hide it efficiently? I have a few good ideas that I’ve mentioned below that will make it look like the pond liner was never there in the first place! Have a look…
How to hide the pond liner: DIY Tricks
Hiding the pond liner isn’t a big deal; you can do it yourself without using any considerable investment of time or money. DIY is the best, isn’t it? It’ll be best if you manage the arrangements of hiding the liner during installation, so you don’t have to go back and touch the pond you perfectly established.
The materials you need to hide the pond liner e.g. rocks, plants, bricks, slabs, etc. are readily available. As for the procedures of doing it, you can read about it down here:
1. Dig a trench
First of all, you need to dig a ledge around the pond perimeters that will lodge the edging of your choice. The ledge must comfortably house the boundary. When it is done, you can start by placing the edging.
In case you are making arrangements to hide the liner before establishing a pond, you need to excavate the land with a respectable amount of depth. Make sure there is a 2-inch compact medium so that the liner doesn’t get punctured.
2. Preparing a proper edging
To hide the pond liner with minimum effort, you need to start making a shelf. The shelf will house the materials you will use to hide the liner. You can put square-shaped rocks around the shelf so it can hold the liner properly.
You need to get an edging that complements the surroundings of your pond beautifully. Here are a few materials that make excellent edgings:
3. Rocks
Rocks and pebbles are the most common choices for pond edgings. Small rocks that are smooth and pebbles are great at concealing the presence of the liner. And big rocks can be used as a waterfall. It’s a good diversion that adds aesthetic value.
4. Plants
If you want the most natural way to disguise your pond liner, this is it. Not only that, but it’ll also add beauty to your landscape, and most importantly, you’ll be doing the environment a favor. Bog or marginal plants are widely used for this purpose.
Both have their own merit. Bog plants thrive in waterlogged areas [e.g. canna lilies and irises], whereas shallow areas are an excellent home to marginal plants like lotus or water lilies.
Plants also attract wildlife that provides your pond with a more natural ecosystem.
Read Next: Best Pond Plants
5. Concrete
If you don’t want to pull any punches, concrete is another candidate, although it takes quite the commitment. But the benefits of it are a lot. The maintenance is low, easy to clean, and creates a small edge that prevents runoffs.
6. Lawn grass
You can use turf grass for their height that easily conceals the pond liner. There is one small difficulty, and you have to be careful when mowing the lawn near the pond. A solution to this is to avoid clipping the tall grass near the pond.
These also attract wildlife like frogs and various bugs.
7. Tiles
If concrete isn’t your thing, another option exists in the form of pavement tiles. You can set it up around the perimeter of the pond and extend it to an outdoor seating or dining area, turning this odd-looking structure into a visual masterstroke. The tiles should not be in direct contact with the liner as it could cut or crush it.
8. Bricks
Sometimes, going simple is the best. And bricks are the most straightforward edging material. Surround your pond with bright colored bricks to make a lovely old fashioned brick wall and place little pots or a fountain to give an artistic flamboyance.
9. Wood
It’d be a shame if I mention but not talk about wood. Yes, these multipurpose monsters are here as well. Timber serves as an excellent pond edge. They are strong, sturdy, and reliable.
Additionally, they even look classy. Make sure to use untreated wood to avoid any chemical reactions.
For a casual pond, river rocks are just fine. There are other alternatives like small rocks and pebbles, but if you’re going for a more formal look, then flagstones or bricks are a better choice.
I prefer flagstones more, and they are more stable and excellent for landscaping. Moreover, you can also use them as paving stones.
Finishing up
Now that all the preparations are all set, you can set the pond liner. You can also make preparations to hide the pond liner after you’re done making a pond, but if you arrange everything beforehand, the hassle will be less because you know what to do and how much to do.
After you’re done placing the liner, fill the excavation with water. While filling the pond, fold the liner, so there are not any wrinkles. When the water fills up the pond, it’ll press the liner by itself, and it’s time for you to use the edgings.
Place the edgings around the liner, mix, and match one or two different ones to make it look more natural. For example, add some sand, gravel, or pebbles around the combination of large and small rocks for a versatile look and winter-proof plants for some much-needed touch of nature.
And voila! You’ve made it.
Advantages of hiding the pond liner
- By concealing the liner, you don’t ruin your masterpiece.
- As the liner is unexposed, it won’t wither soon.
- The liner will be protected from fractures for a longer period.
Additional Tips
- Have a spillway so that there is drainage after excess rainfall to avoid damage.
- At one side of the pond, have some sand to avoid the soil for a seamless water transition.
- Three parts sand, one part plastic cement, and one and a half part concrete reinforcement make a solid and stable mortar mix if you go with cement.
No more ugly liners
You don’t have to worry about the pond liner sticking out like a sore thumb and ruining your picturesque landscaping anymore. I shared everything I knew about how to hide pond liner; now, it is up to you to make it count.
For the best visually pleasing result, mix up different kinds of edgings to give it the most natural look ever so that no one can guess about the pond liner being out there.
