Water Gardening: Pond shelves....Why???, 1 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
Crazy, I have a pond with straight sides, but it is built with a framework to hold the liner up so the sides do not collapse. If you kept big pots of iris and other tall vertical plants on the shelf, the 'coons and herons wouldn't be able to use it to fish from.

To be honest, I wish I did have at least one shelf. I have to use cinder blocks standing on end to support my plant pots. Have only once had a raccoon knock over a pot in the water. I haven't lost any fish to the raccoons or birds, as they have lots of place to hide under the water lilies and lotus plants. I also don't feed my fish any floating food so they don't come to the surface, or sides of the pond when they see people or birds.

I wouldn't have a pond without plants, as they keep the water so much healthier for the fish. They filter out fish waste, and oxygenate the water as well. They also reduce evaporation in the summer, and keep the water temp from getting to high by shading. (of course, I'm in Florida so my water gets a lot warmer than yours)