New wildlife pond

[alisonclair]

Hi

B/F and I have spent today digging a pond. Filled it from outside tap. I understand you have to wait a week or two for the chlorine to get out of the water (well not literally!). Can we put plants in yet or is it best to wait?

Many thanks

Alison

[agrumpycow]

I don't know if there is a right answer to this but we began constructing our pond a few weeks ago and waited a week after filling it with water from the hosepipe before putting the plants in.
The plants are grew (and are still growing) at a fast rate so it must have been the right thing to do

[alisonclair]

Thanks Claire. I guess I'm just a bit impatient!!

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by alisonclair

Thanks Claire. I guess I'm just a bit impatient!!

Tell me about it It's exciting isn't it! It's been about 5 or 6 weeks since our pond was done, marginal & oxygenating plants in. We're still waiting for the floating plants.
The bird life in our garden has been amazing since - birds bathing and drinking from it several times a day. We've seen diving beetles in it too so it looks like it's heading in the right directions. I just want the frogs in there now ......and the toad, newts, etc, etc One day........

[alisonclair]

Wow, sounds great! Ours just looks like a bit of a large puddle at the moment. We have frogs visit our garden, so am hoping they will move in eventually. A newt would be fabulous......dream dream dream!!!

[Malcolm Banks]

I find reading the mails from Claire and Alisonclair above extremely comforting that I am not the only one excited by a new pond. The concept that you just fill it up, add a few plants and then sit back and wait for it all to arrive takes a bit of swallowing as a novice, but arrive it does. I spent the winter wishing my life away, not so much because of the unusually cold and snowy weather, but because I couldn't wait for the arrival of my first batch of frogspawn. Then one morning about a month ago, great joy, there it was, large as life!! Is this recapitulation I ask myself?
M

[Scubapauly]

I'm in the same boat, so to speak. Put my small pond in over the weekend. A couple of plants and managed to get some tadpoles from a friends pond, which are going in today. Fingers crossed for all the new ponds.

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Scubapauly

I'm in the same boat, so to speak. Put my small pond in over the weekend. A couple of plants and managed to get some tadpoles from a friends pond, which are going in today. Fingers crossed for all the new ponds.

Good luck with your pond Scubapauly
Ours is looking more than a tad greenish at the moment, but we have no floating plants in yet to cover the surface so that's probably as good a reason as any
The nursery says they are later this year because the cold weather earlier in the year delayed their growth. Anyone else finding the same problem?

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Good luck with your pond Scubapauly
Ours is looking more than a tad greenish at the moment, but we have no floating plants in yet to cover the surface so that's probably as good a reason as any
The nursery says they are later this year because the cold weather earlier in the year delayed their growth. Anyone else finding the same problem?

All new ponds go green till they balance out..

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

All new ponds go green till they balance out..

No, I realised that, I meant that plants from nurseries are later this year

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

No, I realised that, I meant that plants from nurseries are later this year

Yes, I realised that Soz...

Pond Plants don't normally come in just yet in this area anyway, as they are tender so not advisable to plant until all threat of frost has gone..

[Scubapauly]

Hmmmm, well I've put marsh marigold, marsh mint, yellow iris and a dwarf water lilley in the pond. I've also planted another iris and water mint in the water feature (got that off freecycle this weekend).
The pond is only small so hopefully once the plants pick up (they are still in their pots) then they will provide enough cover.
I've already seen some mating insects on the leaves so fingers crossed

[alisonclair]

I have a visitor to my pond! Was cleaning out behind my shed next to the pond, and nearly squashed the poor fella, so took him over.......hope he stays, though I doubt it coz' not much plant action going on yet.

Dream Dream

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by alisonclair

I have a visitor to my pond! Was cleaning out behind my shed next to the pond, and nearly squashed the poor fella, so took him over.......hope he stays, though I doubt it coz' not much plant action going on yet.

Dream Dream

Nice one (you lucky blighter ) Handsome little fella, in that ugly frog kind of way!
Hope he stays around for you, I'm still waiting for mine...........

[alisonclair]

It was love at first sight for me. He's just gorgeous!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by alisonclair

It was love at first sight for me. He's just gorgeous!

He is gorgeous Alison and good pic too...