Netting

Pond Netting is helpful for preventing predation as well as falling leaves, etc. Keep them out in the first place, so you don't have to scoop them out later.

Polypropylene net products feature good chemical and heat resistance at a reasonable cost. They are semi rigid with good impact strength, appearance and are easily welded. The resin meets FDA approval for food contact applications.

Polyethylene net products are softer and more flexible than polypropylene. They are more durable in cold weather, resisting cracking. The vast selection of polypropylene meshes can also be produced from polyethylene resin.

Nylon net meshes feature high temperature resistance, excellent strength and low elongation. Custom capabilities go beyond products shown here. Products shown are currently in-stock.

I called Industrial Netting and they sent me a free sample booklet of what the materials look like.

Since I'm trying to stop oak leaves and the even smaller pollen tallows they drop-- I went with the 1/6th" Polyethylene netting.

Next step is I measured the width and length of the pond with a couple feet to spare to make up for the "tent" effect. Make sure to include the area of the waterfall (if you have one) not just the pond area. Falling leaves will just a conveniently find a decomposing resting stop in the stream run.

Once the netting arrived, I got busy on making cheap tent stakes. I used 3/4th" PVC cut sections of 15inches for the stake. Used a cap on top. The pre-drilled holes for the eye hooks to screw into the side top of the PVC stakes. (do not put the eye hole screw directly on the very top of the cap-- U have to pound them into the ground after all ;))

I then took some pliers and squeezed down one end of the S hook onto the eye hook of the stake. This is just so that the S hooks are secured and not slipping off when transporting or manipulating the stakes.

I purchased an inexpensive hole punch/ring kit. Came with the anvil, cutter, rings, punch.

I wanted to make where the S hooks from the stakes attaching to the netting would not rip through the material.

I cut a small circle from spare 45mil liner to act as a "cushion grommet". Trying to clamp the rings together directly on top of the netting just cut right through it.

I laid the netting in general position across the pond, and placed my vertical stand pipes.

You can get as fancy or simple with them. I did not use any horizontal cross member pvc pipes at the top. A week before, I poured some cement in a small bucket and inserted the tallest pipe into it. The cement hardened and cured, and is now a custom, heavy footer for the pipe. The others I jammed down into the large, deep lily pots.

I started on one side and worked my way around. I made sure to stretch the netting tight from one side to the other, so no sagging could occur.

To finish it off, I pounded the stakes all the way into the ground, so they can be covered by the perimeter gravel. I wanted them to stay in position for every application when the net comes on seasonally. Did not want them to be a tripping hazard either. Final thing was to get the net back off.. and label FRONT and BACK side in orientation to the pond. Wrapped it up, and stored it with the pvc stand pipes for fall.

Carlos Flannery