![]() So if you’ve inherited a pond with lots of fish, perhaps re-home them to another fish pond or make a new wildlife pond elsewhere in your garden. Autumn is the least damaging time for making changes, after the height of the breeding season but before amphibians go into hibernation.įish – these are top predators in a garden pond, reducing biodiversity, and they also rasie nutrient levels, which encourages algae and blanketweed. Ponds that weren’t specifically designed for wildlife can easily be adapted to welcome a wider range of creatures. This can be bonded to the top of the pond liner to help disguise it. But an alternative is to buy a ‘stone liner’, which has a layer of gravel embedded in the top. One way to avoid this is to create a ‘beach’ of gravel or pebbles around the edges, as described above. Hide the liner and soften the edges – the water line in a wildlife pond will naturally fluctuate, but as it drops this can expose the pond liner. It also allows birds, hedgehogs and smaller insects such as honeybees and hornets to drink without risk of falling in the water. Make a drinking spot for big and small – a layer of gravel, mud or large flat stones positioned on the shallow sloping side of the pond will create a perfect habitat for amphibians and insects. Help wildlife move between these areas by letting grass grow along one edge of the pond (tall grass gives perfect cover for young toads and frogs leaving the pond), growing some denser shrubs nearby (so birds can approach the pond safely, with cover from predators such as sparrowhawks) and keeping at least one section of the pond edge open and sunny to allow for basking reptiles such as grass snakes. See the following step-by-step guides:Ĭreate adjacent habitat – a pond doesn’t just work in isolation, it’s part of a network of habitats around your garden. Timing – autumn and winter are ideal times to make a new pond. This will help the water warm up quickly in spring, making it more attractive to spawning frogs and toads. But make sure that at least part of the pond is in full sun. Location – shade over part of the pond helps to reduce problems with algae and suits many pond plants and animals. But size isn’t everything – even a mini pond in a pot will provide a habitat and water source for plenty of small creatures. Ideally, aim for a depth of 20–60cm (8in–2ft), which varies across the pond, as this will suit the majority of pond flora and fauna. Size and depth – the larger the pond, the more wildlife it will attract. For larger, natural ponds consider liners of puddled clay or sodium bentonite. ![]() ![]() ![]() Pre-formed plastic or fibreglass ponds don’t usually have a shallow slope (see above), so you would need to add a ramp. Liner – butyl liners are the easiest way to create a natural-shaped pond. If you’re making a container pond that isn’t sunk into the ground, add a ramp on the outside and the inside. This allows easy access for wildlife and, when water levels fluctuate, creates a damp habitat for smaller creatures. Sloping sides – at least one side of the pond should have a long, shallow slope. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - TBC July 2024īefore you start making a new wildlife pond, there are several aspects to consider:.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 2–7 July 2024.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 5–10 September 2023.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 18–20 August 2023.RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 2–6 August 2023.
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