First wildlife pond

Mark3 · #1 (**permalink**) 28-04-2009, 05:55 PM

Hi everyone,
new here, im looking for abit of advice for my first wildlife pond. It is pretty much finished i just need to get some plants in the water. I am going to attempt posting some photos so that you lovely people can tell me if i have gone wrong anywhere or if there is anything i need to change.
First wildlife pond - Wild About Britain Pics

I think it has worked?

Thanks, Mark

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 02:02 PM

Hi and welcome to WAB.
Here is your pic.

The only thing I would do is round off the corners for an informal feel.

good luck and keep us posted..

Mark3 · #3 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 03:38 PM

Thanks Kayleigh,
how do i do that?

Thanks, mark

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark3

Thanks Kayleigh,
how do i do that?

Thanks, mark

Sorry you had only uploaded the one image when I commented....I thought you were still in the digging stage.

Now the sand and liner is in its looking good.

keep us up updated..

Mark3 · #5 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 04:24 PM

Kayleigh · #6 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 04:38 PM

Wow, that's looking great..every time I see a new pond I want one.
It will have to wait till the dog is no longer interested in water.lol

Don't forget to put in lots of oxygenating plants they help keep the water clean

Oh! try not to top it up with tap water or you will get blanket weed in a none filtered natural pond..
Don't worry if the water level drops a bit it always finds it own level and a bit of evaporation always take place..

Well done.
Sit back and enjoy...

Mark3 · #7 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the tips and kind words Kayleigh, much appreciated

LizardLover · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 10:04 AM

Yes that is looking great well done*
I am also making my first pond,and our garden is not that big,I have a big dog(who also loves water!lol)and a cat.We made a raised flowerbed so my dog would not jump in!,my cat still uses it as a toilet!,well the pond is almost done and we made it bigger than I expected its a 3ft by 5ft teardrop shape!,it takes up most of the flowerbed!.I have a rockery at one corner with heather round it and sedge grass,and a few other plants I bought to encourage bees & butterflies,my problem is the pond is so big I've not got room for most of the plants I bought!.I also have no clue what pond plants I need to encourage frogs & newts?& were to find a small pond lilly?
My biggest problem is because its a raised pond,I don't know how frogs and newts are going to get up to it!.
Help please!?

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 07:58 PM

Hi LizardLover,
If you plant ivy the frogs will climb up it to get in and out...
Try to post some pics so we can see what you have.
Go to your nearest aquatic shop they will sell dwarf lily's and a selection of pond plants yellow flag irises are good, and this time of year marsh marigold they look great when other plants are not out as they are early.
Water starwort is good for newts and frogs..
If you cant find a shop try google for on-line mail order plants....
Don't whatever you do put water pennywort into your pond....
Remember you need lots of oxygenating plants to keep the water clean...
Elodea Canadensis and Water Crowfoot are good ones.
If they start to get out of hand I just rake the top with a garden rake...
In winter not the breeding season..

BarbaraEmma · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 09:03 PM

Wow Kayleigh I never thought of putting ivy around my pond,I've got quite a bit of ivy both variagated and ordinary growing around the garden,so I am going to transplant some tomorrow.My husband says my plants see me coming and they just know one of them is going to get moved somewhere else:

Thanks for yet another tip,sorry to but in. Barbara