wildlife pond

[dente285]

Hi just joined. Found the site googling for information on building a wildlife pond. I'd like to start this project later this year but am still not clear on a lot of the technical detail of minimum size of poind and how to support the area around the pond but not using slabs (hardlandscaping). Will try to add pictures as work progresses - hoping to start in late February on my next week off. Advice much appreciated.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by dente285

Hi just joined. Found the site googling for information on building a wildlife pond. I'd like to start this project later this year but am still not clear on a lot of the technical detail of minimum size of poind and how to support the area around the pond but not using slabs (hardlandscaping). Will try to add pictures as work progresses - hoping to start in late February on my next week off. Advice much appreciated.

Hello and welcome to the site
you have absolutely come to the right place - there were some really good threads last year - however, I am RUBBISH and hunting down old threads - but someone far better than me at such things will be along soon no doubt at all

[big bill]

Hello and welcome to the site enjoy and look forward to your pics and posts

[Kayleigh]

I built a pond two years ago. I have a gravel edge I made a few mistakes as I had never done one before. I should have made it deeper it's about 18". The gravel falls into the middle so I put rocks around the edge but it still falls in.







I should have made the sides wider..I also put turf around one side..We had newts and toads within about 3 months of it being dug so they like it..

[Andy Warne]

Essex Wildlife Trust have a good leaflet available for download in PDF format here. Good luck.

[Kayleigh]

This is my pond 1 year on. I drew and planned it out on paper first. As long as you get it about 2ft deep wildlife will survive the winter. Put lots of oxygenating plants in there to keep the water fresh. Movement from fountains can kill some wildlife. Don't what ever you do put in any invasive plants like floating pennywort..

[juliejam]

Hi ther ...Welcome to the forum ..As others have mentioned with putting in a pond, do make sure you put in enough oxygenating pants as this really does help.I put in my pond late last August adding small pants around the edges and with plenty of Oxygenating weed..which has grown so much in a small time it has cover the surface ..I put in half a dozen small fish which are still doing well ...Im hoping for dragonflies and other insects to visit me this yr..So good luck with yours...

See you around the forum ..

Julie

[dente285]

Many thanks for all the helpful tips. I'm putting off starting the dig until easter - two weeks off then so hope to get the pond off to a really good start - weather permitting of course.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by dente285

Many thanks for all the helpful tips. I'm putting off starting the dig until easter - two weeks off then so hope to get the pond off to a really good start - weather permitting of course.

keep us updated photos as well..

[ron1863]

Hi and welcome to WAB

[dente285]

Have posted photo of site for proposed pond just can't figure out how to attach it to the post but its in the archived section.

[Kayleigh]

You just copy the [url] under the pic..

The site for the pond looks ok..I can't see any overhanging trees as there might be problem if fallen leaves got into it..How much sun does the site get as its advised in pond books to have it in fill sun..But mine only get afternoon sun and the newts like it.

[dente285]

Garden is full south facing - sunniest part of proposed site will be the patio border. The only trees in the garden are ones I have planted since we moved in 18 months ago. I've put in one crab apple (sun rival 5), two apple trees, about 5 acers. Will shortly be planting a sorbus and a cotoneaster - thought the birds could do with a helping hand. Trying to make the garden more wildlife friendly but we have a cat and a dog - so not sure about putting up feeding stations for the birds. Did think about putting up nesting boxes but back of the house faces full south so the boxes would get hot.

Thought I'd go for a kidney shaped design - just not sure whether the deepest part of the pond should be to one side or more in the middle. Placing it in the middle will at least enable a shallow shelf around all the pond with one end graduating to an area of beach. Temptation is to start digging now but will just have to show some patience.