Another pond plant planting question

[Mrs Ava]

We have a selection of pond plants all in buckets waiting for the new pond to be finished, but I am hoping to get lots more plants (if I rob the bank).  When I was at the ye olde pond shoppe today I noticed they sell the baskets and compost, but also hessian basket liners.  Do I need to line the baskets before planting the plants?  I have never done this before and I think the plants have always done okay but am now wondering if I am doing things wrong.

[Marymary]

We don't usually line the baskets but you do need to put gravel on top to stop the soil [special stuff] floating away.  On GW last week they planted some pond plants & omitted the gravel & you sould see all the soil escaping as they lowered the pots.

[Mrs Ava]

I saw that Mary.  Yes, I always put a good layer of gravel on top of the pots.  I guess it is just the shop making more profit from us water gardeners.

[tim k]

you can get the hessian from a builders merchant its worth using it as the soil escapes through the sides of the pot

old white cotton sheets are just as good they break down a bit faster but by that time the root system holds the soil in place

[shirlton]

To be quite honest for 50p it's worth using the hessian. It does stop the soil eroding. If you have koi carp you will need to put a good layer of gravel on the top otherwise they will ferret amongst the plants and uproot them.