Digging a new Pond- no liner

Hello! I have a 5 acre property in Virginia and am hoping to dig a pond in the next year or so-- we're planning a 1/8-1/4 acre pond. I'd like to avoid using a liner and would like to be able to raise fish in this pond. I've been reading some about pig seals, gleying, and such and there seems to be a lot of diverse opinions on what will work. What would you all suggest for a completely new pond? My current thought is a bentonite floor but am wondering if aquatic plants will be able to grow? Sorry if these are silly questions---I'm learning

Oh--I'm also considering using the earth from the pond digging to build an earth sheltered green house. Let me know if anyone has experience with this!

I'd go with bentonite but then my state is the premier producer of it. You till the bentonite in with your regular soil. You should be able to grow plants just fine with it. Have fun! I had a lot. I bought a ton of plants off Ebay and they were always great.

Athena, not sure if you saw this post already, but this is a wonderful examply of using pigs to seal your pond.
My Progress Gleying a Pond With Pigs
That being said, gleying will work just as well. It may take longer, but you get the chance of raising bacon while doing it! Yum, yum!!!

Both seem like great options---I do like bacon..

Any thoughts/plans for using the displaced soil for an earthen greenhouse?

Athena Parker wrote:Both seem like great options---I do like bacon..

Any thoughts/plans for using the displaced soil for an earthen greenhouse?

I honestly have no experience with earthen homes, but I don't see why you couldn't. Unless maybe soil composition comes into play. But most dirt can be used for earth bag homes. What type of earthen home were you looking at, and what kind of dirt is it?

Athena Parker wrote:
Any thoughts/plans for using the displaced soil for an earthen greenhouse?

Athena,

Are you familiar with COB building? There is a forum here and lots of internet resources to give you an idea. Normal soil mixed with Straw and adjusted to the an acceptable clay/sand ratio is used to build walls. A 3ft knee wall to support your glazing would work well. As for plans or thoughts, I like a one side, South facing, greenhouse in a shed design, running east-west. This eliminates a lot of trouble with glazing and sealing a glass/plastic roof while still utilizing all day sun.