Building a Wildlife Pond

[Pondlife]

The time is nearly upon me to start construction on my wildlife pond in my garden - I am hoping to get some advice from more experienced pond keepers on this site. My garden currently is paved with lock block (I think the previous owners got a job lot from the council?) which tapers of to a triangular shape, I intend to lift all these blocks and make this area into a wildlife area. I have 2 bouncy boxer dogs who tend to run and play around in the lawned area, only using this back area to sunbathe.

1) How big should a wildlife pond be (I am limited to space, but can the pond be long but narrow, or should I settle for a roundish shape)
2) I have read numerous books on the subject but it is very unclear as to the amount/species of plants that should be planted both in and around the pond.
3)I envisage that my pond eventually will have a rockery type background, but what plants should I be looking to plant around the backdrop
4)Is there any shrub/bushes I can plant to cover the garage and fence on either side of this area.

I probably have loads more questions but I think these will do for starters, to get me thinking.

Thanks

[Tursiops2]

Hi pondlife, if you read through this thread, you'll find it a good starting point for ideas:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...den-frogs.html

If you have space on your garage/fence etc., fix trellis panels to them and grow climbers like Ivy, Honeysuckle, Wild Hop, Clematis (inc. native Clematis Clematis vitalba a.k.a. "Old Mans Beard/ Traveller's Joy"). If you mount the trellis panels on 10cm battens, this will create a space for birds to nest.

Plants around the pond: In general any plant cover is better than none, but if you have space consider planting native deciduous trees for coppicing (e.g. hazel, oak, field maple etc.) and underplant with woodland ground flora.

A thought about your dogs - dogs like water and could damage the liner if they go swimming, so it might be a good idea to fence off the pond area.

If you want more detail, just ask
A photo of the area would be good.

ATB
T2

[Pondlife]

Thanks T2, that link is excellent thanks to all who contributed their views ideas and pictures, it has given me plenty to think about.

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Hi pondlife, if you read through this thread, you'll find it a good starting point for ideas:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...den-frogs.html



A thought about your dogs - dogs like water and could damage the liner if they go swimming, so it might be a good idea to fence off the pond area.


ATB
T2

My pond is around 6 ft by 5 ft, I have a medium sized sheepdog who loves swimming, however, he hasn't attempted to go into pond, just drinks the water

Shape can be any you want, mine is decked on two sides, (hence rectangular shapes), however, waterfall one side and shallow pebble slope on the last side. No particular shape then really. You defo need to make sure you have a shallow entry to one part of your pond so that creatures that fall in can escape, froglets will also need to get out of your pond at some stage.

this is a good link Building a wildlife garden pond

[Pondlife]

T2 this is mainly for your perusal any views or opinions you or any one else reading this thread have will be gratefully accepted. The paved area is 5m x 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.5 (at the narrow end) the measurments are all inside of the curved paving surround.

[Tursiops2]

Hi pondlife, thanks for the pics, very helpful.
That's an awkward shaped space, but interesting .

Some questions:
1. Could you be more specific about which sides those dimensions refer to?
2. Which way is south (I think I can guess, but I'd like to know for definite), and what is casting that big block of shade, bottom right in pic 1? Also, how much sun does that right-hand border get?
3. Do you want to take up all the paving?

Cheers
T2

[Pondlife]

Hi T2,

Thanks for your time.

1) The dimension are 5m is the right hand edge, 0.5m is the short end, 6.5m is the diagonal with 4.1m going back to the right hand edge.

2) South is behind the camera in picture 1. The shadow is a 4'x6' greenhouse which is sited next to a 6'x6' greenhouse (there is a concreted area behind the garage of approximately 1.8m x 3m that I have put these two buildings on to, though we probably intend to get rid of the greenhouse this year. The right hand edge gets full sun from 12 - 6 pm during the summer (or at least as much sun as you get in Yorkshire).

3) I can take up as much or as little of the paving as required, I think it probably depends on the size of pond that I settle on? or at least can fit in.

[Jez]

It looks like you won't end up with a leaf fall in your pond the last thing you want to do is site it somewhere where leaf fall will make the water stagnent. I'd be inclined to rip all the blocks up and start a fresh. Could you tolerate your lovely boxers bringing in muddy footprints? Since there seems to be a border already seems good for pond marginals. I'd perhaps make the pond triangularish too???

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Pondlife

Hi T2,

there is a concreted area behind the garage of approximately 1.8m x 3m that I have put these two buildings on to, though we probably intend to get rid of the greenhouse this year.

That's interesting. Will you be taking up the concrete as well? If so, I think you should do this before putting in your pond as it will free up a lot of useful space and you can then deal with the area as a whole rather than piecemeal.

Sorry to be a pain, but any chance of a couple more photos? One from the far corner looking back to the greenhouses, and one on the same angle as pic 2 but from farther back showing the entrance to the area would be good.

T2 (information junkie )

[Pondlife]

T2

Two further photos as requested (don't worry about chalk marks - the children have been offering their advice too).





I have not considered lifting the concrete as the shed will remain insitu