Small Pond Advice

crosstownk · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject: Small Pond Advice

Hi All,

I'm planning to build a small pond (about 2m x 3m) in the garden. Sadly I don't have the room for behemoth like David is building in the other post.

I'm not planning on any pumps or fish as I want a wildlife pond. I'm going to embark on this over the next few weeks and so far all I've done is bought the liner. I'm putting it where there is an existing flower bed so I've got to transplant all the plants and flowers first.

Now I've done a bit of research into this pond building caper, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has built a similar pond and any advice on things to do/avoid would be greatly appreciated.

My garden is a relatively small suburban garden but I'm surrounded by a lot of open spaces. I'm not one for a 'prim an proper' garden, I like a bit of mess and like to let the hedges and shrubs grow wild to a certain extent. I would like the wildlife pond to be in keeping with this.

Thanks in advance.

JennyS

Hi crosstownk
I put a couple of ponds into my garden a few years ago, but not using pond liner - 'cos I couldn't afford it .There was a whole roll of heavy plastic lying around so I used that for the first pond, and then built up the inside with concrete and stones so it would look natural.... The second pond was digger-dug, and luckily didn't need lining.
If you're hoping to attract wildlife you could do with planning to extend the liner out around the edges of the pond to create a boggy margin area, this wil help soften the edges and give a more natural look, and also provide shelter and access for frogs etc. When you reach the pond filling stage get some pond or stream water to add, and some mud as well, as this will contain loads of micro-organisms that will multiply rapidly to provide food sources for various pond creatures.
I've just put the start of a bit about my garden (definitely wild round the edges) up, hanging off the wildflower site at the moment, and I'll find some pond-creating photos to add to it :
www.irishwildflowers.ie/garden/garden.html
Enjoy your pond building!

Rockworld · Hazel Tree Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: KILDARE

Good tip about the mud from JennyS , make sure you get it from a healty pond.
If your not planning any pumps or fish make sure that the pond is well planted. Ideally you should cover upto half the surface are in plants if you want to keep the pond healthy.
At the stage of digging you should allow for electricity even you dont plan on pumps/lights now you may want or need them in the future.