Surely everyone has an old enamel basin in their dacha or garage, long since out of use, but they can't bring themselves to throw it away. And rightly so! After all, a basin can be turned into a magnificent decorative pond, a true highlight of the property.
It's very simple to make. First, you'll need an old basin or even an old metal sink. Choose a location for the future pond and dig a hole of the required dimensions. Before digging in the foundation, the bottom and edges of the basin must be thoroughly coated with cement mortar.
It's easy to prepare. Take one part cement, mix it with three parts sand, and gradually dilute the resulting mixture with water, stirring gently. It's best to do this with a rubber-gloved hand to break up any lumps that form. The solution shouldn't be runny; it's easier to work the container by spreading the cement across the bottom and sides.
After every centimeter of the area is hidden behind a layer of cement, the basin must be removed to a dry place to dry, or left outside, but be sure to cover it in case of rain.
This is all done to give the future pond an aesthetically pleasing appearance, simulating a ribbed bottom and edges. Another advantage of this technique is that it allows aquatic inhabitants to move freely along the bottom, rather than sliding across the enamel surface, risking never getting out.
Once the cement has set, the pond needs to be dug in so that the edges are flush with the ground. You can insert reeds along the edges, and decorate the joints with stones. All that's left to do is fill the pond with water, and your decorative pond is ready!
For the winter, drain the water and place a large plastic bag filled with soil and leaves inside, after making large holes in it. This will help our former basin survive the winter without losing its shape or becoming deformed.
In the spring, the bag should be removed. The bottom should be wiped down, removing any spilled soil.
