Shore mats are usually made of polypropylene fibers and are 0.5 cm thick.
They have a plastic claw layer on a support layer made of fleece. It is also positive that the pond liner is protected from UV rays by the shore mats. This prevents the film from aging quickly. It also prevents sharp-edged ice sheets from damaging the film in winter.
Shore mats should be made of rot-proof material. Coconut mats are often offered. These are not very suitable because they rot quite quickly.
Permanently safe banks
Shore mats ensure permanently safe shores. The mat rolls
When buying, you should make sure that the shore mats are fine-pored. Most are rather wide-meshed. Sand falls through it, mostly only gravel holds. However, many plants do not grow on gravel. Sand and also clay are deposited in fine-meshed shore mats, creating optimal conditions for sowing plants. The thickness of the mats should be at least 5 mm, more is even better. This is the only way to create a well-rooted, stable layer.
The installation
The sea mat must be attached to the bank so that it cannot slip into the pond. However, there must be no connection with the surrounding area, as this can cause water to be sucked out of the pond. The right width of the mat is crucial. Shore mats are best cut with a sharp cutter knife. If the top terrace of the pond is 10 to 20 cm below the water surface, a 60 to 70 cm wide bank mat is sufficient. If the terrace is lower, a wider mat must be used, over a meter wide. Pocket mats can be used if the closest terrace in the pond is too deep. They are filled with sand, which prevents them from floating up. They are ideal for steep and low-lying banks and terraces. Sea mats are simply rolled out. Either a crease is created in a curve or a triangle is cut out. Wide strips can also be laid across.
Shore mats can also be glued. The easiest way to do this is with hot air or, if necessary, with a flame. The fibers on the two sides fuse together.
Hard shell ponds
The black edges of the water basins disturb many. This can be covered with a shore mat, but the mat would have to end inside the basin so that no water can escape into the garden soil. It is better to create a swamp zone around the pool. You use pond liner for this and then proceed as described above.
Sow the shore mat
You cover the mat with sand and simply sprinkle the seeds over it. Fertilizer is also part of it. It is necessary for sowing, otherwise nothing will grow. Long-term fertilizers are used. It releases its nutrients over months, just as the plants need them. Moss and flowers are ideal, but the seeds should not be mixed. You sow each in your own areas. The seeds are not covered.
