February 2026

Is Amelanchier fruit edible? Amelanchier alnifolia, known as the Saskatoon or Canadian serviceberry, is one of the finest wild fruits of North America. Its sweet, soft-textured berries are excellent eaten fresh or processed into preserves, desserts, and traditional foods like pemmican. When ripe, they can be dark purple, almost black, or reddish-purple in color, depending […]

What is the best Amelanchier tree for a small garden? Amelanchiers or Serviceberry, as they are also known, will produce small edible fruits which are taken readily by birds in the autumn months. Our most popular variety is Amelanchier arborea Robin Hill which has a more regular and upright shape than others making this a

What is the common name for Amelanchier? amelanchier trees have it all: masses of spring blossom, autumn colour, and even edible fruits, which are also attractive to birds. Most are compact in habit and are therefore perfect trees for small gardens. They have a number of common names, including snowy mespilus, juneberry and serviceberry. Our

What is a pond liner used for? Pond liners are used in ponds to keep water from seeping into the soil. They work by forming an impermeable layer between the water and the soil which prevents water loss. Pond liners also provide a base for plants to root themselves in and provide a comfortable environment

What is a mini pond? A mini-pond is a small portable decorative pond basin. Mini-ponds are suitable for the smallest gardens, terraces and balconies. If you dispose of somewhat more space, put several mini-ponds side by side. In different colours, for example. This creates an pleasant atmosphere. It’s easy to create a very small pond

How deep do ponds need to be? How deep should a garden pond be? A depth of 46cms (18 inches) is the minimum depth recommend to achieve a healthy pond balance. At least 40% of the pond area should be at the maximum depth, with the sloping edges stepped for marginal pond plants. The pond

Can fish survive in a pond without a pump? While fish may be fine for a few days to weeks in a well-planted pond with no pumps or filters, they’ll quickly foul the water beyond the system’s ability to recover naturally. However, ponds can be topped up in dry weather with tap water if necessary

How much does a 2000 gallon pond cost? For a more traditional in-ground pond between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons, expect to invest anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on materials and labor. There are a couple rules that you can follow when it comes to calculating your pond capacity. If you are keeping koi, you

How deep does a garden pond need to be? Ideally, aim for a depth of 20–60cm (8in–2ft), which varies across the pond, as this will suit the majority of pond flora and fauna. Location –shade over part of the pond helps to reduce problems with algae and suits many pond plants and animals. But make

What is the cheapest way to build a pond? Building a submerged pond is very cheap and simple. Simply dig a shallow hole and using any removed soil to form a lip around the edge. Consider using stones, bark and gravel for a natural finish. For step by step instructions on how to build your