BUILD YOUR OWN 
WATER GARDEN 
Your lawn or garden will take on more beauty and inter- 
est with the addition of a water garden. Whether your 
pool is elaborate or simple—after it is stocked with orna- 
mental fishes, interesting aquatic plants, and colorful 
lilies, you will have a never ending source of pleasure and 
beauty. A pool flourishes from early Spring until late Fall. 
It will reward you with delightful evening hours filled with 
the fragrance of tropical lilies, a cool restful spot on 
summer afternoons, a vivid, enchanting garden stage for 
all hours of the day. Simple to build — the cost of erec- 
tion and maintenance is small. Below are general instruc- 
tions for building concrete pools. 
PLANNING AND LOCATION — Your pool should be 
carefully placed, and planned to harmonize with the 
surroundings. The general character of your garden (for- 
mal, or informal in a natural setting) will suggest type and 
style. It may take any shape or size, or be a combination 
of small pools. If possible, it should always be located 
where it receives ample sunshine. Pools are often com- 
bined with rock gardens with a miniature waterfall run- 
ning down a rocky course; some are planned as reflectin 
; g 
basins for an interesting living picture. Formal pools may 
employ simple or elaborate fountains. Running water is 
not necessary. The addition of water lilies, aquatic plants, 
ornamental fishes, and scavengers will keep the water 
clean and sparkling. 
INFORMAL CONCRETE POOLS —The most popular 
and inexpensive pool is the informal or irregularly shaped 
pool, because it offers the gardener more opportunity to 
exercise his own tastes in design. Lay a garden hose 
around the proposed spot until the size and shape are 
what you want. Excavate to the desired depth (include 
the thickness of the floor and walls). A water depth of 
24 inches is desirable to keep water lilies and goldfish 
in your pool the year around. Vertical sides are built with 
plywood or 20 gauge galvanized iron forms, all readily 
bent to the desired shape. Sloping sides are often built 
by plastering a stiff concrete in place using wire mesh 
reinforcement. Natural rock may be set in the concrete 
to create a natural, informal effect. Plants, contained in 
planting boxes, may be placed to suit. 
FORMAL CONCRETE POOLS — Rectangular, square, 
round or oval pools with vertical sides are used for 
formal arrangements. Excavate the soil to 28 to 30 
inches. This provides for a 24 inch water depth plus 4 
to 6 inches for floor. Side walls should be at least 6 
inches thick. Forms may be built of plywood, boards, or 
galvanized iron. Brick and cut flagstones make good 
finishes for the top edges and border. This should be 
decided upon before construction is started, for they 
must be set in the concrete as soon as it is poured to 
set thoroughly. 
WATER SUPPLY — You can fill your new pool with the 
garden hose or through a connection with the regular 
water supply. It may be emptied by siphoning the water 
out with a garden hose, or through a built-in drain. Make 
all plumbing connections before the concrete is poured. 
The Portland Cement Association recommends a concrete 
mixture of 1 part Portland Cement, 2 parts sand, 3 parts 
crushed stone or gravel. 
If you have any unusual problems or questions, 
please feel free to call on us. 
