Barren patch in the garden

[Horseguards]

I have decided to pave a barren area of lawn (nothing will grow) measuring 4m x 4m. What could be incorporated to encourage wildlife?

Or maybe there is an alternative to concrete flags. The rest of the garden consists of lawn, bushes/hedges up to about a metre in height.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Grant.

[Fourwings]

Dig a pond - it need not be big but it will give you hours of enjoyment.

[John]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

Dig a pond - it need not be big but it will give you hours of enjoyment.

I would go with that to. I have added one in my garden and have also made a small waterfall and stream leading to the pool.

It's amazing how many birds come down to bathe and drink in the stream. It is also a good source of water for the birds in this extremely cold weather as because the water is on the move it doesn't freeze so giving a constant water supply to all the wildlife that want to use it.

John

[Tursiops]

Originally Posted by Horseguards

I have decided to pave a barren area of lawn (nothing will grow) measuring 4m x 4m. What could be incorporated to encourage wildlife?

Or maybe there is an alternative to concrete flags. The rest of the garden consists of lawn, bushes/hedges up to about a metre in height.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Grant.

Why won't anything grow there? If it's simply because of poor soil, you could create a patch of wildflower meadow.
T

[Tursiops]

Horseguards:
Your latest reply to this thread was deleted in the rollback over the weekend. Fortunately I get Email notification of replies to threads I have posted to, so I can recap and answer your question.

Horseguards wrote:
"Fourwings, John and Tursiops, thank you for the suggestions.

I like the idea of a pond but without resorting to hydro-engineering how would I maintain cleanliness of the water or prevent it becoming stagnant?

Grant."

Unless you are keeping fish, or specifically wish to create a stream/waterfall as habitat, it's not really necessary to instal pumps etc. The important thing is to have a good variety of plants and design the pond to encourage a range of wildlife. Certain plants will keep the water oxygenated, and a diverse ecosystem will keep the water clear of algae etc. Also, make sure the pond gets plenty of sun, and is sited away from overhanging trees.

Plants for wildife ponds fall into four categories.
1. Oxygenating plants. Submerged plants that are essential for keeping the water oxygenated and healthy. You can’t have too many.
2. Floating-leaved plants. These provide shade and cover for tadpoles and invertebrates etc., and water-level platforms for dragonflies and other insects. Some are also oxygenating plants.
3. Wetland plants, i.e. plants that grow in damp or waterlogged ground. They will attract insects and provide cover for amphibians.
4. Emergent plants, i.e. plants that root underwater and produce stems and leaves above the surface. They provide homes for various insects and dragonfly larvae will climb up them when they emerge from the larval stage. Grow submerged, in pots.

Note: use native species. Some exotic water plants are highly invasive and can cause serious problems if they escape into natural watercourses.

Native pond plants

Oxygenating
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Spiked water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Water crowfoot (Ranunculus peltatus)
Water starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)
Water violet (Hottonia palustris)

Floating-leaved
Floating water-plantain (Luronium natans)
Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
Water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides)
Water crowfoot
Water starwort

Wetland
Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus)
Greater spearwort
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Ragged-Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
Water mint (Mentha aquatica)

Emergent
Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia)
Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua)
Water Violet
Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica)
Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus )
Dwarf Bulrush (Typha minima) (not strictly native, but useful for a small pond)

many of these can be obtained from Wiggly Wigglers:
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
Also, check out their pond construction kits

Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask.
Tursiops

[nightshade]

Horseguards I could not find the thread so replied in the treehouse

[Horseguards]

Tursiops, that's brilliant. I've printed a copy (shows intent) of your reply for reference.

I presume great diversity is preferable. However, without resorting to Capability Brown scales, what would be a minimum but still viable size for wild-life.

Thank you once again.

Grant.

[Tursiops]

Originally Posted by Horseguards

what would be a minimum but still viable size for wild-life.

How short is a piece of string? I've seen a thriving frog colony in an old sink set into the ground, but really the answer is "the bigger the better". It depends on the precise circumstances, but if, as you say, your plot is about 4m x 4m, then I think I'd aim for about half of that as open water, with about half the remainder as a wetland area/bog garden adjoining the pond. Also, make sure you include an area of hard-standing (paving, decking etc.) along one side to allow access for maintenance, pond-dipping and so on.

Tursiops