Converting deep koi pond to raised bed - advice needed

[chilliking]

We've got a deep (4-5') koi pond in the garden that we're about to convert into a raised vegetable bed.

My current plan once i've got rid of the fish is to breach up the concrete at the bottom to allow some drainage with either a pick axe or a kango if i can borrow one.

Next i'll hopefully source some hardcore/rubble form freecycle and fill about 3' with that. For the remaining 1.5-2 feet I'll likely end up having to buy in some top soil and mix in some homemade compost.

Finally i'll be adding some soaker hoses to make the watering a bit easier, possibly connecting it up to a nearby water butt.

Any tips/advice/things to watch out for? Is 1.5/2 feet of tops soil enough?

[Nicos]

What are you planning on growing in there?

Oh...and sorry- how rude of me!...nice to see you again

[chilliking]

veggies!

off the top of my head:
courgettes, beets, garlic, chard, spinach, dwarf beans, some edible flowers maybe, kale, leeks.

i already do chillies, aubergines, cucs and toms in self watering pots ;-)

[Gurberly]

The deeper the soil/compost level, the more resilient it will be to drying out.. i'd be tempted to go a foot extra on soil/organic stuff and a foot less on the rubble/hardcore.

[Nicos]

^^^ me too!..the drying out was my concern (- even with soaker hoses), as well as the depth of the root systems.
More expensive I know, but you'll be surprised at the speed in which the soil will decrease in depth over a few years as the organic material rots right down.
Not something most peeps consider

[Jungle Jane]

Hi you're quite near me It would be handy if you could find someone digging a pond-take their top soil & rubble as a help to you both? How are you getting rid of the fish?

[Nicos]

Brill idea JJ!

It would need to be the top soil though for the top couple of feet...not the deeper soil .

[KevinM67]

*How are you getting rid of the fish?

Just a suggestion

[Potstubsdustbins]

If they are decent Koi you sell them to the highest bidder.

[Bigmallly]

If they are decent Koi you sell them to the highest bidder.

P&P can be a bit of a stumbling block.................

[chilliking]

Fish are hopefully being picked up by the brother in law tomorrow. Got a lead on some topsoil from freecycle so fingers crossed....

[Bigmallly]

Good luck CK, I hope it all pans out for you.

[fishpond]

If they are decent Koi you sell them to the highest bidder.

Chances are they are mongrels, more money in the water pumps, air pumps, filter and accessories.

As has been suggested already 3 ft top soil/compost would be better than 1.5-2 ft, primarily because of settlement but there are other reasons.
Consider a layer of manure over the top for next winter, gets the worms working, will increase the fertility, keep it warmer, so you should of to a flying start next season.

[chilliking]

A quick update.

The fish are gone - dispatched to my brother in laws pond. They were mongrels so not worth much.

The next job was to break up the bottom of the bond to ensure the plot can drain. This proved a real pain as the pond had been lined with fiberglass. Once I got through that I hit about 8-10" of steel reinforced concrete :-(

After much swearing I managed to dig a wide trench through that and filled it with a few inches of water to check that it drains, which I'm glad to say it does!

I've manged to get some rubble in the bottom but need to get some more really. Then I'll be trying to source lots of topsoil. Ideally I'd get this all form freecycle. Depending on the quality if I do find some I might resort to buying a couple of big bags of good quality stuff for the top.

I'm itching to get it filled so I can get planting in time for this summer. Naturally i'll give it a good dose of manure over the winter to make sure next year gets off to a flying start.