14 — Friday, May 24, 1996 — North Shore News

An aquatic
atmosphere

From page 13

sediment in your pond.

The size. shape and loca-
tion of the pool can vary but
the idea) depth for an orma-
mental pool is about 76 cm
(30 in.) deep. Tie walls of the
poo! should also be as close
to vertical as possible.
Adhering to these two specifi-

‘cations will make your pool
reasonably raccoon-proof.
These little masked bandits
are not good swimmers and
do not like to go into deep
water where they cannot wade
and probe for fgod with their
paws. The best defence.
against raccoons and herons
is an electric fence.

.. The majority of pools

’ today are built with soft flexi-

ble liners rather than the tradi-

tional concrete. If you prefer

"to use concrete or gunite, it
should-be-10 cm (4 in.) thick
and iaid on a 15 cm (6 in.)
base of drain rock; ...«:

Reinforcing steel will prevent .
* cracks from developing —a :

‘problein’ that i is not easily.
=Solved, 2"

> The only flexible ! liner that:
is" ‘suitable, for long term use is”

-EPDM, a 45 mm rubber-
“based membrane that is
*durabie and U.V. stable.
There is also a “fish safe”

"- brand that comes in a variety”

. Of sizes ‘and. can be joined if
_Fequired. To calculate the

liner size, add twice the maxi-
mum depth of the pool to
both the over-all length and
width plus two feet fora flap
at the top of the pool.

Before the liner is put in
place. the suil, or preferable
sand surface should be well
compacted and very smooth.
To provide extra protection
for the liner, lay down a sheet
of woven geo-textile (horti-
cultural cloth) to prevent any
rocks or sharp objects from
creating a hole. Check the top
edge of the pool to make sure
that it is perfectly level, since
you don’t want water flowing
out one side of the pool when
it is filled.

Facing the pool edge with
rocks and water plants not
only makes the pool more
natura! but also helps to hold
the liner in place. Cut a shelf
in the bank so that one-third
to two-thirds of the very large
rocks are submerged. The
water plants can be planted
between or behind the rocks.
If you extend the liner and
shelf some distance back
from the pool it is possible to
create a larger bog garden.

Once your pool is filled it
is important to maintain a bal-
ance between pH, oxygen,
fish and plants. The pH
should be close to neutral and
the plants should produce
enough oxygen for the fish.
’- In tum, the plants should

use the nutrients from the fish .
manure.

Water plants or r water lilies
must be potted up in a fairly
heavy clay-type soil to pre-
vent them from floating. They
can sit on the Lottom or on a

Garden grow-how |

CAPILANO College horticutiurat students Egan Davis (left) and Petra Hauke tend the gardens at Park ‘and
Tilford. Free gardening clinics are being held this Saturday and Sunday, nocn to 4 p.m., with 2 panei off mas-
ter gardeners available to answer questions. The clinics repeat throughout the surnmer. ° : :

raised platform. The closer to
the surface they are in early
Spring the quicker they will
begin to grow and bloom. |
However, for winter pro-

tection the pot should bé well
below the ice layer. The addi-
tion of granular slow release
fertilizer will get them off toa
good start if the pool. is lack-

limit 6 per customer
Limited quantities available -

CEDAR FENCE
BOARDS

' WesTRoc DRYWALL. wf

| Pa

-ROUN -UP.

“NEWS photo Mike Wakatald.

ing in * niitrients, .
Pools do not Tequire a lot”
of regular maintenance, but’.
. do provide, a ‘great deal of.
enjoyment. -

3e "TRIMMER
Model 1200

34"

LANDSCAPE

BENESIS 1000. THES 3.5'x4.5°x8' |

915 West First St.
- North Vancouver

Phone: 985-300