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To build your pond, you will need the following:

1. A shovel, maybe two if you can get help
2. A rake, garden clippers, pliers and hammer
3. 14" 28-gauge roof flashing
4. 1/2" PVC pipe cut into two-foot pieces
5. 15-pound roofing felt for underlayment
6. Pond liner, pump, hose clamps, tubing for waterfall
7. At least one ton of flat veneer rock, like a Tennessee Fieldstone, 1” to 4” thick.
8. A good friend to help.

Digging the hole
When digging, do not break the edges of your pond by stepping on them. They hold your decorative rocks and, if disturbed during the digging process, they can collapse after you are finished because of the weight of your rocks. If the sides of the pond are soft, you must reinforce them. I use 28-gauge roof flashing and support it with PVC pipe stakes.

Dig almost vertically to 14 inches. Place the excavated dirt in a ring about 18 inches away from the outer edge of the pond. You will need it later to finish off the pond. Install flashing along the sides and hold it in place with PVC pipe. Crimp the top edge of the flashing with pliers toward the outside of the pond so that the sharp edge does not penetrate the liner.

Level & felt placement
Level the bottom with the rake. Clip off any protruding roots and smooth the sides and bottom well. Cover all exposed surfaces with 15-pound roofing felt, which serves as a cushion for the liner. It is easier to place plants with a flat bottom. I often dig a shallow sump in one corner of the pond, so if I have to empty the pond, I can do it easily.