Naturagart - Questions about Shore Construction

If the first terrace is 20cm deep?
Those are ideal circumstances for the installation of NaturaGart shore mat. 65cm wide mat is usually sufficient.

If the first terrace is 30 to 50cm deep?
Then possibly the 65cm mat will not be sufficient. The next model up is 1.2m wide.

What to do if the bank immediately slopes down steeply?
Then you have two options: You can use the pocket mat or you lay the shore mat down into the deep water. There the shore mat has to be weighed down to prevent it from floating up.

Can the mat be hung into the water?
Only a few centimetres, because it will float. It should always reach a terrace and be weighed down with gravel, sand or stones. It that is not possible, the pocket mat is better suited, because the weight is filled into pockets.

Does the mat have to be fixed to the shore?
Yes, because the sand makes it heavier and it could slide down into the pond. A few stones are sufficient.

How far does the mat go into the water?
Ideally it reaches to the front edge of the topmost terrace.

Is the mat dug in on the outside?
The shore mat must not go outside the pond system. The mat itself will hardly extract water from the pond but the sand that covers it can suck the pond empty like a wick. The mat has to end within the liner sealing.

How is the shore mat laid?
The easiest way it to roll the mat out on the shore. In the bend you get creases which you can leave or cut out triangles. Wider strips can be laid perpendicular to the shore.

How can the shore mat be cut?
Simply with a stanley knife or any other sharp knife. The cut edge will not fray!

Can the shore mat be glued?
This can be done using silicone, or even simpler with hot air or perhaps a flame. The fibres on both ends melt and are welded together.

Can I halve the 65cm mat?
You can, theoretically. In practice, however, the resulting strip is too narrow, since you have to weigh down the mat on the shore to prevent it from sliding into the water.

What is the difference between shore mat and composite mat?
The composite mat looks similar but its fibres are less compact so that mortar can soak in. Without this cover single fibres can come loose.

The composite mat is therefore a cement carrier, the shore mat a vegetation carrier.

Can I sow the shore mat myself?
Yes, you can only do that locally. You soak a bit of sand into the mat and sow on top of that, adding some fertiliser. Initial fertilising is essential! This is a long term fertiliser that releases nutrients over months as the plants grow.

Can I mix moss and flowers?
This is not recommended. Depending on the type of pond either the moss or the flowers will win. It is better to give each a separate area.

Is the seed covered with soil?
Under no circumstances! Most need light to germinate and will not do so if covered.

What is faster than seed?
The shore mat start-up plants. These plants quickly develop roots and overgrow the mat.

How quickly does moss grow?
Very slowly! Not recommended for impatient people.

Moss, seed or plants?
Sown flowers will only start to bloom in the second year. If you are in a hurry you should choose the ready plants. They will grow much quicker. As a rule of thumb: The start-up plants cover the shore within a few weeks, seed takes a few months, and moss takes about 2 years to form a dense cover.

Do plants on the shore mat have to be fertilised?
In the beginning this is essential. The tiny seeds don't have enough energy and the sand is not very rich in nutrients. Without the shore mat start-up fertiliser they will fail.

How far above the water line do things grow?
Up to about 10cm above water level the mat remains humid enough for the seed to germinate well.