Garden Frog Habitat

davedotcom · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 09:51 AM

Last year we had a visitor to our vegetable patch - a very adorable frog that helped us produce a bumber crop by (I assume) taking care of the slugs that normally decimate our veg.

Unfortunately, once we'd harvested, and due to having no pond etc, the frog did a runner. However, I enthusiastically built a pond in a corner of the veggie patch and a relative turned up with a dozen or so tadpoles from her pond which are developing nicely.

My question is, due to the fact a neighbour has a cat that frequents our garden and the pigeons etc, would it be wise to cover the pond with some kind of mesh to offer some protection? Obviously I wouldn't completely pen them in - I'd leave space for them to get out and get those pesky slugs and snails!

Is this overkill? Is the mesh unnecessary?

GCN lova · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 09:57 AM

hi

a mesh would be neccesary but make sure small animals can get in and out. are you sure if its a frog or a toad or what the tadpoles are? toads are probably the best pest controllers. can we have a picture of the pond to help advise how to make it frog (or toad) friendly?

GCN lova

davedotcom · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 12:19 PM

This is the best photo I can get on my phone I'm afraid.

The body is approx 1 inch long, tail approx 1 1/2 inches long.

The pond, at its deepest is about 18 inches and measures 2 feet by 1 foot. NB - there are two ponds of these dimensions. The rear wall and sides are vertical drops and front is tiered - I used house bricks to build the structure of the pond before adding the linings etc.

GCN lova · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 12:42 PM

its a common frog which are one of the two native specie of frogs in britain

. sounds great so far. have you added any oxygenating plants in the the pond because these make sure there's enough oxygen for the animals to breathe. you can get them at garden centres but dont get them from pet shops because they will be used to warmed water.

there should be cover around it and make sure the froglets can get out or they can drown. you can make a ramp with stones or grow a plant over the edge.

but make sure there's plenty of swimming space for animals.

this website is very good at explaining how to create a good habitat

How to make a wildlife pond

davedotcom · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 12:48 PM

No plants added yet but I know it's something I need to do so will get looking.

Thanks very much for your help!

GCN lova · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2011, 12:50 PM

you're very welcome davedotcom.

toadpole · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 04:17 PM

well done to you davedotcom for making the decision to build a little pond for your frog

just see what happens when you introduce a little habitat for amphibians ?they move on in as soon as they can

Marion

King Edward · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 05:14 PM

I have one of my tadpole ponds partially mesh covered, but that's to keep off ducks. With your pond I'd probably leave the mesh unless you actually observed a problem. The main thing is that the froglets can get out OK, since they're very vulnerable to drowning at this stage.

witham · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 10:21 AM

we have a toad that lives in our veg garden and gives me a heart attack every time I dig some spuds or pick strawberries etc as I never know which area its in and where it's going to leap out at me if I accidentally disturb it, there's no pond or anything but in the winter it stays in the strawberry bed as I leave a bit for it to shelter in, the rest I go over with the mower after doing a toad hunt as I don't want the poor thing on crutches