Lloyd Rowling

I have used a home-made veggie filter for my Blagdon Terrace Pond since I’ve had it. It has been faultless with its function and I’d certainly recommend these over commercial units.

Sadly, a plant I added a few years ago turned out to be a huge shrub which would grow taller than the house if I let it. The shrub roots had become pot bound, completely filling the unit and also in strong winds it was unstable and likely to fall over.

In order to replace the filter, I bought a new pot and pond plant pot insert, this time in a dark brown colour. I already had plenty of spare pea shingle and a hose connector. With these, I put together the filter as before. Details Here

Contents of the old filter showing how the roots had filled the unit up completely

My new dark brown container

Drilling the hole for the water inlet

Attach pump hose and add to pond empty

Allow to fill with water and then add the pea shingle

Plants added, but pump not turned on yet

I chose to plant Iris Pseudacorus, a favourite due to its vigorous growth, Caltha Palustris which grows fast and produces lovely yellow flowers each spring. Lychnis Flos-cucli and Primula Beesiana are two plants I’ve also used today which I haven’t planted before. I look forward to seeing the results.

I have replanted the shrub in the garden and it will be watered well, but I’m not sure how well it will do being in soil.

All in all, I’m pleased with the results and look forward to many good years using this filter to get good, clear water in the terrace pond.