What to put in our pond - help!!

[Kaz&Ste]

Our small kidney shaped garden pond (approx 1m x .5m at widest points) was built last year. We bought some pond plants form a local garden centre and put them around the edge of the pond. Some of them are still ok but we lost about three of them.

We have water snails, two frogs and other small creatures in the pond. We had a lot of trouble with blanketweed recently and read up that we need to get some plants in the pond and on the top of the pond to help combat this problem. Also, we think that in order to help the wildlife we already have and to attract more, we definitely need more plants.
Upon looking at the plants which we bought last year, we have been so totally niave with them. There are oxygenators and marginals at the side of the pond. We just didn't do our homework properly at all.

On the base of the pond are some large pebbles and rocks but no substrate - is this something that we should have and, if so, what is best. Would we have to clean the bottom of the pond before we put this in or can it just go in now?

So now, which plants to get? Floaters and oxygenators - something easy for us amateurs and hardy so that it can just stay in the pond all year around. And how many do we need in the pond?

We have heard that a lot of oxygenators do also jst float and don't need to be in pots. If we got these kind would it still be necessary to have a substrate?

Hope someone can help - we have read so much about what to do and how many to get that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there and our heads are being blinded with too much to take in!!

By the way - we do have a lily in the pond too (almost forgot!!).

[Red Robin]

Welcome to the forum!

You have lots of questions there but absolutely no problem. It would help us to help you if you could post a photo of your pond.

Blanket weed can usually be easily reduced - A golden rule is everything in moderation. Either twiddle it onto a stick like candyfloss and remove or let the water snails graze on it. But check if there is any tiny life crawling around in it and let them back in the water if you can. Blanketweed does provide some good things as long as it doesn't take over. You'll find it grows more where exposed to longer hours of hot sun.

Silt will naturally build up on the gravel on the bottom and in turn provide for small creatures.

How deep is your pond? Does it have shelves?

I must go and have breakfast now but plenty other folks can and will help you here.

[Gill Catton]

Yes often the blanketweed thing is just a phase new ponds go through so I wouldn't panic too much. Its to do with an imbalance of nutrients (to rich) but it will pass as the blanket weed sucks it all up. I personally would avoid putting any substrate in as you risk bringing nutrients in with it (unless its just sand).

As for oxygenators I would also recommend floating things then you don't need substrate and they are easy to remove and compost if they get a little out of hand.

I generally recommend hornwort (native, feathery leaves, insects love it grows like a rocket in warm weather sucking up nutrients that the blanket weed may otherwise use), water cress (buy from supermarket and throw into the water - don't eat it raw from the pond though), also water millfoil is a good one - its similar to hornwort and it also native and I think it may cope with the cold better.

[Kaz&Ste]

Photos !!

Many thanks for the replies so far.

The pond does have shelves but they arn't all gret for resting things on as the liner has made them slightly lumpy and some do slope.

It is approximately 18" deep.

The pebbles that you can see on the back shelf are there because the water level does not cover that part of the liner. Not sure if pebbles there are a good idea but just waiting for the rest of the grass that has grown along the back to also grow there too to provide some shade. Any other ideas for that area?

[Red Robin]

^^^^
Looking very good indeed! A nice atmosphere

Size is pretty similar to mine:



^ Posted in case it might give you some ideas, though it looks to me that you don't need much guidance apart from answering your species questions.

By the way, don't put fish in if you want an easy to maintain pond with varied wildlife.

[Kaz&Ste]

Red Robin - thanks for the compliments! You're pond is lovely too.

No, we just want wildlife - no fish - we have cats in the area and fish are just more of a hassle in my opinion.

[Kaz&Ste]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

water cress (buy from supermarket and throw into the water - .

I'm assuming you just take it out of the plastic carton and drop it in without removing any soil etc?

[jpscloud]

Originally Posted by Kaz&Ste

I'm assuming you just take it out of the plastic carton and drop it in without removing any soil etc?

I wonder if you're thinking of salad cress there? The watercress I've seen never has any soil and is usually sold in film bags.

I bought a bag of washed watercress, with no obvious roots, and simply chucked it in - within a couple of weeks it was going strong, it now has lovely flowers on and looks healthier than a healthy thing!

[Kaz&Ste]

Originally Posted by jpscloud

I wonder if you're thinking of salad cress there?

I was!

[Red Robin]

Re watercress: Try and buy some from a local fruit 'n veg shop rather than supermarket which will only have trimmed stalks without the white stringy roots. You'd be surprised how easily it grows.