Water in the garden is a great idea, not only because it adds freshness and beauty to your outdoor space, but also because water is the key to life for so many living things. You can easily create a mini pond in the garden to add a touch of individuality. Any pond can become a feeding place for birds, hedgehogs and bats - the best natural pest controllers in the garden! Your pond doesn't have to be big. A dishwashing bowl, large flower pot, or disused sink can be repurposed for this purpose, provided you make sure critters can get in and out. Read on, follow our step-by-step instructions, and enjoy your garden crafting!
Creating a mini pond: what you need
Here are the materials needed for your mini pond.
spade
container
Rocks and bricks
Plant
- First choose a place. A sunny spot would be good because the pond needs light. Even a mini pond can pose a danger to small children, so place it in a safe place.
- Dig a hole.
- Find or purchase a large container. It should be waterproof, e.g. B. half a barrel, an old water tank or even a large washing up bowl. It must be able to withstand the rigors of the outdoor area, especially frost.If the vesselis not waterproof, e.g. B. an old flower pot, then add a piece of pond liner. Seal all drain holes.
- You can sink the container into the ground or leave it on the surface, but having the edges level with the ground allows more creatures to get in and out.
- For an above-ground pond, you can create a ramp or use bricks, stones or logs to create stepping stones for entry and exit into the pond. Or add a layer of gravel and stones. You can use logs or rocks to create different depths and a slope for animals to climb in and out. If your container is not recessed, you will need a ramp from the ground outside the pond. Do not use soil as it will turn your pond green.
- Then fill your pond. Use rainwater as tap water contains chemicals.
- Start planting! It is best to place the plants in special aquatic plant pots. Use very nutrient-poor soil. You can buy special pond soil mixed with grit. Always use native plants in ponds. Plant native fringe plants at the edge of the pond that rise above the water's surface to provide perching and cover for wildlife. Be sure to only use plants that won't grow too large for such a small space. Two or three plants are the maximum for a mini pond.
Which plants for your mini pond
Here are some great plants for small ponds:
- Zwergseerose (Nymphaea “Pygmaea Helvola”)
- Small buttercup plant (Ranunculus flammula)
- Sternmiere (Callitriche stagnalis)
- Flowering rushes (Butomus umbellatus)
- Also try plants such as the water forget-me-not, the lesser crowfoot and the marsh marigold.
How does life develop in your pond?
In the first few months you don't need to worry about algae or weeds forming. Let the children have themRemove algae, by wrapping them around a stick – it’s fun! As your mini pond matures, any pond creatures you have attracted will help keep the water clear. In hot weather you may need to top up the pond - try using rainwater from a rain barrel.
Don't be tempted to bring pond creatures from elsewhere by the bucketful. Pond creatures are very good at finding ponds themselves. Toads generally prefer larger ponds, but there is certainly the possibility that a frog or newtFind your mini pond, especially if you create cover corridors next to the pond and set up a frog and toad den nearby.
