Ponds are wonderful for attracting wildlife to your garden. They not only provide a habitat for insects such as dragonflies, damselflies and beetles, but also provide a source of drinking and bathing water for birds and mammals.
The bigger the pond you can make the better, but if you do not have much room, then even a small pond is beneficial. We have lost 75% of our ponds this century so your efforts are important.
You will be amazed at how quickly various creatures will find your pond. In the wild, ponds come and go very quickly, so to survive water-loving animals and plants have to be very good at finding new ponds. Frogs and toads should find the pond without your help. Remember not to gather frogspawn for your pond to avoid spreading disease between populations. Why not keep a record of the animals as they arrive and let us know by calling 01296 427 972 or via email biodiversity@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk
How to create a wildlife Pond in seven easy steps
1. Choose a sunny area, in a slight hollow or at the bottom of a slope if possible.
2. Ideally the deepest part of your pond should be 750mm (30 inches) to prevent freezing over. When digging the pond put the sub-soil to one side for later use. Your pond should have shallow sloping sides to allow you to grow plants that like different water levels and to let animals in and out. Dig a series of shallow backward sloping shelves (like little steps), to avoid the soil slipping down the liner.
3. Remove sharp objects from the ground and then put down a covering of sand, newspapers or old carpet to protect the liner.
4. Lay your liner, bought from a DIY store, Garden Centre or specialist supplier. A Butyl liner is best but also the most expensive. The various plastic liners work well too but are not as long lasting. You could try extending the liner to create a bog garden adjoining your pond.
5. Cover the liner with 100mm of subsoil as a rooting medium for your plants. Using subsoil prevents your pond becoming too nutrient rich.
6. Grade the soil on the shelves so that you have smooth shallow sides. Fill with water using recycled rainwater from a water butt. If this is not possible then use tap water that has been allowed to stand for 24 hours before going into the pond.
7. Plant with native pond plants such as, purple loosestrife or yellow loosestrife. Use a mix of marginals, emergents, oxygenators and floating plants but avoid non-native plants such as Canadian pondweed, which will take over your pond. Another plant to avoid is Typha, commonly known as bulrushes, which can puncture your lining and take over your pond.
Date Updated: 26/11/09
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Amphibians | | 1MB
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Dragons & Demoiselles | | 1.7MB
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Ponds and Bats | | 3.4MB
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Garden Ponds | | 952KB
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