I started at 0700h this morning, determined to get the liner installed.

Got the underlayment in place. A bit awkward in the case of the big sheet, but not too bad.

Smoothed it out, making folds where necessary to fit it.

There. Underlayment installed, and I managed it myself. Now for the liners!

The smaller liner for the waterfall was pretty easy and we got it in place in no time. The big one is 15′ x 20′ and weighs 90 pounds. That was a lot more work, but we did it.

My assistant, wiping the sweat from his brow. There may be some exaggeration involved.

Taping the seam between the waterfall and the main pool. I dunno about this tape; it’s supposed to be awesome and super-sticky, and I cleaned the seam areas with mineral spirits, and I used a double row, but I’m still nervous about it. Hopefully that’s just because I’m always a bit nervous where seams and water are involved.

Starting to build the waterfall pool. This is the birdbath part, so it needs to be shallow. I brought the hose up and around the back to the south side of the pool, then built the rock up a few inches around the hose. I used a piece of sandstone edging as a base for the water hose; the edges were kind of sharp, so I got out my trusty angle grinder and rounded them off. I put landscape foam under the rocks at the edge so that the water will dam up and spill over the rocks and down to the next level. In theory, at least; have to test it before hooking up the pump and firing it up. For the record, use less landscape foam than you think you need. I thought it was like Great Stuff, just black, but it keeps expanding long after GS would’ve stopped. I let it cure, then trimmed it. It’s very sticky; one pair of disposable gloves per time spraying it because once you get it on the gloves, you can’t touch anything else.

Trimmed the edges of the liner and underlayment. Looks a bit better.

Grace came over to check out what I was doing. There’s been a lot of trash panda supervision for this project.

Just looks like a pile of rocks, but I promise there’s a plan here. I put trapp between the rocks; I hope I won’t regret that. Looks better, though, and I did use scraps of underlayment where I had room.

It was getting too dark to see, so P set up a halogen double work light, and I was able to see well enough to finish placing the rock that I had. I still need more, and I think I’ll just get another ton and do it right. If there’s any left over, I’m sure I’ll find a use for it!

I earned the right to make this stupid pose; I’ve moved two tons of rock in as many days! Sorted it on Friday, placed it on Saturday.

EDIT: Taken Sunday morning from the north side. It’s a little easier to see some depth; I promise this isn’t just a random pile of rocks. Also, the birds have already started using the pond. It rained last night and left little puddles around the edges of the liner, and there was a finch, and later, a cardinal, drinking from them when I came out to admire our handiwork this morning. The rain freshened up the moss on the rocks, too. Grow, moss, grow!

Non-pond stuff…

These little bastards have to go! They’ve destroyed the milkweed that hitched a ride from 544 with the Grey Stick.

This little guy has to be moved; he found a nice spot out of the hot sun and rain, but Boo loves bugs…to death, and the Decorative Welcome Straw is right on the patio by the house. (Very attractive.)

I’ll stop taking pictures of hibiscus when it stops being beautiful, which is never. Double shot of Midnight Marvel.

Plum Crazy!