Build a pond by digging an informal wildlife pond:
How to dig an informal wildlife pond step by step working from the outside area inwards:
1. Dig the edging shelf and shelf 
:
:- Mark out the pond and hard landscaping outer rim with a hose/string or a run of dry sand (Design the pond shape & size page).
- Dig the whole pond to the depth of the first shelf area.
- The depth of this shelf should be in proportion to your pond size: 6-13cm (3-5") down from the expected finished water level for a small pond using cobbles as edging. Or 14- 20cm(6-9") deep for rocks or stones in a larger pond.
- Shelves/ledges must be flat for planted baskets to sit securely.
- Make some part of this shelf into a sloping beach. (Helps hedgehogs and other animals go down to the water for a drink but not fall in.)
- Allow the shelf to be wider where the sloping beach is going. There should be space for the flat shelf to gradually rise up the slope.
- It will be flat on the inside of the pond & then slope/taper gradually back to garden level.
To build the next shelf levels:
- The inside shape of the top shelf does not need to match the outside shape of the pond.
- Taking a straight line across a rounded end of the pond can make a good sized shelf platform.
- Try not to build a thin rim of shelves around a larger surface area of deeper water. Best visualised as: NOT to have a deep teacup of water with a narrow rim of plants representing the saucer all around it.
- A wider shelf means you can use groups of aquatic plants together rather than have them lined up around the water rim like a parade of soldiers.
- The shelf should be wide enough for a line of stones on the outside rim of the pond and some plants on the deeper water side of the shelf.
- Mark out where this top shelf you have already dug will finish with a hose or string.
- You will not touch this shelf level area again.
- Prepare to dig the next level down moving into the centre of the pond.
- Beware of spoiling the soil edge of one level as you work on the next level down.
- Take care when you walk on each level so you do not collapse the shelf edge.
2. Digging the Shelf plant shelf
plant shelf- Make a sharp downward spade cut to the next shelf depth.
- Each shelf should be a distinct level - with an upright edge like a staircase. Internal sloping areas cannot hold plants - the baskets will slide down the slope to the shelf below.
- Dig the whole of the remaining pond area to the flat depth of the next shelf at 14-22cm(6-9") below finished water level - shelf .
3. Digging Shelf plant shelf
plant shelf- Then mark out and dig the flat areas that you intend to be deeper still - the next shelf depth of 23-44cm(10-17") below finished water level - shelf .
- There are not many upright plants and no rafting plants suitable for this shelf. You do not need to create a large area at this level.
- You may not have space for this shelf depth at all if your pond is small.
4. Digging Shelf plant shelf
plant shelf- Finally mark out and dig the deepest section of the pond - 60-75cm deep(2ft-2ft 6") below expected water level - shelf
Digging an informal pond should result in a pond shelf structure like this finished pond profile
The image above shows a Pond Profile - the construction under the liner that gives the levels, shape and usability to your pond.
When you dig an informal wildlife pond you should have a shape in the ground that looks something like this.
- Have one half of the pond surface area as different width shelf planting areas with most as a 6" deep shelf.
- Dig one half to the deepest water depth - the deep area can be offset from the centre of the pond.
Next stage - go to our page: Lining the pond hole.