New pond advice - lack of sun

[Bellfamily]

I started to plan a new pond last year and plan to at least have water in it by Feb/March this year. This is my first winter in this house and I have discovered that the area where I had planned it gets no sun in the winter as the sun is too low. In the summer the area gets about 4-5 hours before it is lost behind the house!

Before I do any more work can someone advise if this will be a problem please? I only want it for a wildlife pond as I get lots of newts and frogs in the garden but don't want to spend the time and money if no plants will live in it and it becomes a stagnant mess!

[Deb London]

My ponds are in permanent shade at this time of year. The little sun that does make it to the garden in the afternoon cannot reach the ponds because of a fence and the fact that the ponds are on lower ground. I have never timed the hours of sunshine in summer, but it might be around 5 h max. The ponds are successful at attracting both frogs and newts each year. The newts are the dominant species.

As a child I had a ceramic sink wedged in between two cabins so there wasn't too much light reaching there (although the alley did face south). The water filled with leaves (no plants that I remember) and newts did breed there.

I'm very hopeful for your pond.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Wont be a problem - in fact the lack of direct sunlight may help keep the algae that cause the 'pea soup' green water problems down.

There are plenty of shaded ponds in woodlands and near hedges in the wild. We have some at work and they are full of life, despite only being filled with water last April. Plus the best pond I know round my way is in the middle of a forest and shaded from most directions so the shade certainly doesn't hold them back

[Johnny Redgate]

I have created several ponds on my farm in the last year or two ranging from fully open to quite heavily shaded. The diversity of available pond habitat is increased by the shaded pond. So I agree with the others, keep going with your pond!

[Bellfamily]

Fab, thanks for advice. Good to know that the time taken so far has not been wasted. I will continue with my plans! Thanks

[tom00_uk]

better a pond in shade than no pond at all

[suntrecker]

This time of year our pond gets very little sun but it is so clear we can see the frogs (and water pump) on the bottom. It looks like drinking water its that clear. In spring and summer its so active. We are facing noth east in the back garden and Im sure the pond plays a big part with the amount of birds we get as they are always using it as a bird bath.

[tom00_uk]

mines in an area of trees so conversely at this time of year it gets sun and will get less later in the year as it will be shaded

[Bellfamily]

Thanks for reassurance, I think I may just extend it slightly so that the shallow bits get more sun as I am sure I remember reading somewhere that tadpoles like to sunbathe (or I could be imaginging I read that!)

[Kayleigh]

I read newts prefer a pond in the shade they seem to like mine and that's not in direct sunlight I get a few hours in the late afternoon and everything thrives..