A New Pond for Wildlife
I decided my Winter project was to build a new wildlife pond! I already had a mini pond elsewhere (basically a plastic tub less than a metre across) but it hadn’t attracted wildlife such as frogs and dragonflies as I’d hoped, probably because it wasn’t getting any sunshine and was being rather engulfed with tall vegetation round it. It was however still very popular as drinking water for birds and local mammals!
Lots of organisations offer advice on creating wildlife ponds including:
Wildlife trusts https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-pond
RHS https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/seasonal/make-a-wildlife-pond-this-winter
If you want something more visual, there’s a great 3 part series on YouTube from wildlife gardener Joel Ashton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKrjMv6TMlU
Kate Bradbury’s book on wildlife ponds is also highly recommended for practical advice. https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Kate-Bradbury/RHS-How-to-Create-a-Wildlife-Pond–Plan-Dig-and-Enjoy-a-N/25164140
I started by digging a hole, down to the layer of chalk with just enough space around it, for me to walk round it! This spot has a far sunnier open aspect, and in fact can be a very dry area. It’s near a compost bin, wood pile and area of rocks where slow worms thrive. Adders have also been spotted nearby.
Next I tried to pick out any sharp stones, and put down a layer of sand.
Then came the pond liner, which came to the edge of the pond and over it.. where the ends were buried in a trench.
Untreated rainwater is best to fill the pond – so one advantage of the deluges of rain over the last few weeks, meant that I managed to catch plenty of rainwater in buckets and the shed water butt!
Once filled up it quickly started to look like a pond!
The last steps were to rehome some unwanted rocks and stones to place round the pond to hold down and cover the liner, and give creatures somewhere to hide out. I added a plank which would give a perching place for birds, and escape ramp for creatures using the pond. With fingers crossed I threw some wildflower seeds round the outside too.
I took marsh marigolds and oxygenator plants from the old pond, and found some bargain bucket plants from the garden centre. The salesman told me that each pot had several extra useful “weeds” in the pots too!
By today the water was looking beautifully clear.. and small insects were already buzzing over the top of the water.
“Build it and they will come” apparently! I can’t wait to see how it works out!
Judy
If you are making space for wildlife in your garden, do share your stories too!
