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Pond edging using turf up to pond edge

I am interested in running turf right up to the edge of my pond. Is this a good idea? And how can I stop the turf sliding into the pond?

James Crown, Devon

Answer:

Not a good idea, especially if you are going to have Koi in the pool.

Nevertheless people still do it despite the problems of nitrates and phosphates leeching into the water from the turf and water siphoning out up through the turf and the Koi having wonderful time nibbling the turf. At least that saves strimming it and the inevitable oil slick from the strimmer head.

Professional landscapers minimise the water siphoning problem by holding the pool liner in place with a fillet of concrete laid in a shallow trench at a level with water level of the pool and just the other side of the outside rim

of the pool hidden by overlying soil and turf. Apparently this upsets any capillary action in the soil.

When I have used turf on slopes, I have pegged it into place with small wooden pegs made from the forks of small branches of hazel, dog wood or spindle, because I've got a lot of it. You could use stout wire bent over to

create a staple. Push it well in though. Rowlawn do a turf grown on a net of nylon fibres which comes in nice wide strips (1 metre) and can almost be hung as a curtain it is so strong.