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| 1 | 2 | 3 |  » Stats |
Members: 48,650
Threads: 78,880
Posts: 821,305
Top Poster: glsammy (14,777)
| | Welcome to our newest member, megzie1991 | |  | | 
11-06-2009, 05:28 PM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 47
| |  Wildlife Container Pond?
Hi all,
I'm new here, have been into gardening for sometime and am now turning my attention towards the wildlife value my entire garden gives. Things are progressing well on most fronts but I'm sadly lacking water. I change the water in the bird bath daily but would absolutely love a small pond as an all-round benefit to wildlife.
The problem is twofold - firstly I don't have much space at all and secondly I've absolutely no knowledge of water plants and desperately want anything I buy to be native and beneficial. The absolute maximum space I have is 2m long by 1m wide which adjoins a small area of shady woodland planting with log and stone piles and a carpet of bark with various native and non-native (but still beneficial) plants. I've been thinking of starting out with a half whisky barrel which my Father-in-Law can get me for very little or free. I understand from reading on here that I'd need to shelve one side/edge to enable animals to climb out and bathe, etc. What to plant is a complete mystery and with the dangers of non-native invasive species, I'm a bit worried.
Ideally, I'd like something with leaves that floated on the surface and because the proposed site is on a slope, something tallish to mask the tub edge. Naturally, I would use a pond liner in the barrel.
Does this sound reasonable or has anyone got better advice? I'm looking for as much advice/direction as I can so look forward to your replies.
Thank you very much,
Graeme   |
11-06-2009, 06:45 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants.
Posts: 11,284
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
You might find this thread of interest I have had this barrel for 3 years now.
I have lots of Canadian Pondweed to oxygenate the water I also have a dwarf water lily and some irises. How can I teach my children about the life cycle of frogs? |
11-06-2009, 06:49 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boroughbridge near York - isn't the same as the Dales, but close enough!
Posts: 2,379
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Was going to direct you to Kayleigh and her wonderful Barrel Pond... but seems she's beaten me to it lol! 
Welcome to WAB btw and you have to post some piccies when you get started ok! 
__________________
Happiness is not getting what you want... but wanting what you get |
11-06-2009, 06:53 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants.
Posts: 11,284
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cazzie  Was going to direct you to Kayleigh and her wonderful Barrel Pond... but seems she's beaten me to it lol!
Welcome to WAB btw and you have to post some piccies when you get started ok! | Thank you Cazzie everyone should have one.. |
11-06-2009, 06:56 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boroughbridge near York - isn't the same as the Dales, but close enough!
Posts: 2,379
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Sorely tempted myself, but I'm moving (yet again!  ) in the next few weeks... but one day I will have the pleasure of water wildlife!!!!......
__________________
Happiness is not getting what you want... but wanting what you get |
11-06-2009, 07:08 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South East Coast
Posts: 1,846
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cazzie Was going to direct you to Kayleigh and her wonderful Barrel Pond... but seems she's beaten me to it lol! | lol! So was I
__________________
Nature never goes out of style. |
14-06-2009, 10:42 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 47
| |  Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Wow, thanks very much for the replies. Sorry I didn't post my own reply earlier - been busy in the garden!
Won't get to start the pond for a wee while but am really itching to have a go. Been thinking about plants and how does water starwort, hornwort and frogbit sound for the in-the-tub plants? Water avens growing up round the bottom edge and creeping Jenny near on one side ledge hiding the lip by growing over into the water. I fancy a shortish preferably evergreen grass round the top edge for cover - any ideas? The side edge that will border the bark, woodland area will be shaded a little by a mahonia aquifolium and lip itself would be clear of plants with bark built up round it. I'd have stones in the barrel running down at an angle so animals can climb in and out.
Thanks again for all your help and I must say your barrel pond is a a major inspiration, Kayleigh!
Graeme |
14-06-2009, 10:35 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants.
Posts: 11,284
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Glad to of help but its only small so may not be big enough for all those plants..
Have a go and let us know how you get on.. |
15-06-2009, 06:21 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 47
| |  Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Now thinking of spiked water milfoil and frogbit as the in tub plants and ragged robin outside instead of the water avens. There'll only be two plants in the tub iteslf so all others will be in the garden round about the tub and on the verge. That's not too much, is it?
Graeme |
15-06-2009, 06:58 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants.
Posts: 11,284
| | | Re: Wildlife Container Pond?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilex Now thinking of spiked water milfoil and frogbit as the in tub plants and ragged robin outside instead of the water avens. There'll only be two plants in the tub iteslf so all others will be in the garden round about the tub and on the verge. That's not too much, is it?
Graeme | No they should be fine.. | | | |
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