Can only suggest regular cutting back of mare's tails to try an weaken growth. Either way you treat mares tails it will take years to eradicate..

Not got very much further with the pond as we`ve been away for a week`s holiday. It`s three quarters full of water (can`t fill to the top as the beach still has to be laid). Had to partially empty it yesterday as the soil below the beach area wasn`t level. Have put that right and refilled it.

The next thing is the beach. But it`s too warm and sunny to do it as I have to lay mortar on the liner then stick small pebbles in it, a time consuming job. As the pond is in full sun the exposed black liner will get hot and the mortar will probably set before I can finish the beach, even if I do it in sections. I really need a cool cloudy day.

Then there are the edging stones to cement in place. They are in place now but only loose layed. Will also have to cut some with a disc cutter to fill some gaps.

At least we have some wildlife in the pond, have seen two or three frogs already.

Sounds like the pond construction is coming on Eric and good to hear you already have frogs.

Our garden was more like a jungle when we got back from holiday.  The grape vines had gone wild so I gave them a good pruning today and it looks like I'll get a good harvest from them.  The tomatoes are fruiting and the strawberries have been feasted on already but there are still a lot of good fruits for me to pick.  Our pond was in need of a good clearing session as the lily leaves were crawling out and we couldn't see the fish, so that's been done now as well.

Pond progress

I only just noticed this on the photo, but the edge paving slabs look to be slightly different colours, although I bought them all from the same place. I suppose they will fade in time, or more likely get dirty.

Pond looking good. Colour to the slabs will variety and help break it up a bit. The planting is looking good in the border....

Yes I agree with all that Art said.  It's all looking good and I really love the idea of a beach.  Our original pond had something similar as it was primarily intended as a wildlife pond but we re-organised the whole garden and hubby made a more formal pond with paving all the way around it.  It hasn't affected the amount of wildlife we have in it though and we now have a lot of goldfish that have bred in the pond naturally.

I'm currently battling with blanket weed in my mum's pond but we don't have that in our pond, although we do have a good filter system and my mum's pond has to rely on balancing itself naturally.

I'm currently in my annual war against the weeds - and I'd be grateful for any suggestions on how to deal with one in particular - mare's tail!

Dock and nettles I can deal with but this one has appeared around the raised vegetable beds. It seems impervious to any conventional weedkiller - suggestions welcomed please!

Update on the war on weeds - I tried putting some washing up liquid in with the weedkiller - logic being that soapy would adhere to the horsetail weeds which are waxy - and in about two weeks I reckon 75% of those treated were dead.  Now it could simply be the weedkiller - diflufenican plus glyphosate - but encouraging anyway.

Encouraging news on the "mares tails".  .....

Hubby was supposed to be cleaning the pond filter this weekend but has a bad back, so Daniel stepped in and decided to give it a good clear out while he was at it. He pruned all the plants down to about a quarter and it's lovely to see the fish.  I didn't realise how many we've got and there are far too many to count but they've all bred in the pond from a couple of fairground goldfish Daniel brought home about 20 years ago. 

Pond still not finished, but the beach area is. Just have to cement the edging slabs in place now. That`s going to be the hardest job in my opinion, as I want to get them level.

Had to treat the mortar of the beach area with I-glaze, to neutralise the lime in the mortar, did that earlier in the week.  Today I sprayed all the beach area with the hose pipe to wash off any traces of I-glaze, then emptied the pond completely (good job I bought a decent submersible pump), washed all the gunk out from the bottom of the pond then refilled with clean water. I`ve left it six inches below the top in anticipation of heavy rain in the next few days.

I`ve not seen the frog recently, can`t say I`m surprised though. It`s probably packed it`s suitcase and left for a nicer pond.

It seems out pond is under construction again.  Hubby's been wanting to make a waterfall out of the lovely stone we bought for the original pond but each time he's started it, he's pulled his back, so Daniel's decided to have a go.

Sunny day so out to the garden...  Just dismantled a bedraggled  basket .. Some winter flowering heathers now need a spot to go in...

Spent today cleaning out root bound  patio tubs. Fruit trees been in for 3years.  Ordered 5 columnar fruit trees. Hope they will be successful  .

New raspberry canes to be ordered soon.

I`m glad to say I finished the pond by  last weekend after the week of dry weather.

Will post a photo in the next few days (if the rain ever stops)

Well done on finishing the work on the pond. Much enjoyment to had  in viewing.

New fruit trees have arrived. Got empty pots that need fresh soil/compost... Raspberry canes container  is taking shape. Must put together and seal the outside. Time for bulbs again...

Trying a new approach to weeds this year since not allowed to use napalm. I've taken old carpets and covered infested areas of the vegetable garden with it and weighed it all down with lots of stones. Has anybody else tried this method before and was it ultimately successful?

Great for slugs and snails along with millipedes. Seeds of weeds will still be in the ground,,