Has anyone made a wildlife pond?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

We often get frogs in our garden so I thought it would be nice to make a small wildlife pond. I have managed to acquire this lovely big old belfast from my sons nursery that was just sitting there, I asked if they had plans for it and they don't want it so they said I can have it!

Any tips for making a little pond? What plants would be best to put in it?

I made a micro pond by sinking a large window box in the garden. We have some pond plants in and we acquired some pond weed from a local duck pond that had lots. It's doing really well and attracts insects.

put it in the sunniest spot you can manage. We made a tiny one, and it's been a disaster (too shady; stagnant...)

I read that if it isn’t very shallow, and that sink isn’t by the looks of it, you need to put something in to allow hedgehogs to climb out so they don’t drown if they fall in.

@coachmylife

put it in the sunniest spot you can manage. We made a tiny one, and it's been a disaster (too shady; stagnant...)

Same happened to mine only gets the sun at the height of summer (nowhere else to put it, sadly) which means that my lovely water irises don’t flower. I still have some nice shade-loving plants, and I do see birds, squirrels and cats making use of it occasionally so that’s OK.

Agree with @Warmduscher that you need plenty of rocks so that creatures can climb out

Ask to join Facebook wildlife ponds uk. They have lots of hints and tips.

Lovely sink! I keep meaning to do this too, as I'd love some newts in the garden.

Make sure that there are slopey sides/ramps or stones at the edge so that any critters that fall in (hedgehogs etc) can get out again.

This link includes some plant suggestions:

www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/nature-on-your-doorstep/garden-activities/create-a-mini-pond/

Put some rocks or large stones in so if any wildlife falls it they can get out, hedgehog drowned in mine, I'll never forgive myself 😢 stupid mistake.
Also get some oxygenating plants / weeds like hornwart, pretty cheap at garden centres or aquatic stores.
Also if you put it on the sun you could add a solar fountain, they sell round ones on ebay under £10

Sorry, slow to post, but I guess it's good that we're all worried about drowning hedgehogs!

@Dizzy1234

Put some rocks or large stones in so if any wildlife falls it they can get out, hedgehog drowned in mine, I'll never forgive myself 😢 stupid mistake. Also get some oxygenating plants / weeds like hornwart, pretty cheap at garden centres or aquatic stores. Also if you put it on the sun you could add a solar fountain, they sell round ones on ebay under £10

How sad poor little critter. At least you know now though! We occasionally get hogs in our garden so a way for them to climb out is definitely a must.

Thanks all I've asked to join that group, looks really helpful!

FFS. Why are men like this? I posted in a gardening group I'm in and I mentioned needing to get help to get it home🤢

[Image removed by MNHQ]

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickens

FFS. Why are men like this? I posted in a gardening group I'm in and I mentioned needing to get help to get it home🤢

Wtf. If he lists his workplace and his profile I'd forward it to them tbh, hate men that think they can get away with crap like that, what a creep.

As others have said some cheap oxygenating plants from a garden centre, rocks/climbable things for any animals that fall in. That's basically all I did with mine a couple of years ago and it's still thriving now with all sorts.

This company is great for pond plants.
www.devonpondplants.co.uk/
Their pond packs are excellent although I think it might be the wrong time of year for buying new pond plants - I could be wrong on this though.

Oh and that person's response to your social media post was unnecessary. It's ridiculous that you can't even attempt to do a bit of gardening without sexual harassment.

@Jijithecat

Oh and that person's response to your social media post was unnecessary. It's ridiculous that you can't even attempt to do a bit of gardening without sexual harassment.

It's gross isn't it? The group admin booted him out straightaway, she was far from impressed.

Also thank you for that website, it looks useful!

I found someone to help me! We're going down tomorrow morning after the school run to pick it up

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickens

FFS. Why are men like this? I posted in a gardening group I'm in and I mentioned needing to get help to get it home🤢

That's a horrible post for him to make but just so you know, I can see his name/profile pic clearly through the black line you made...think it just needs to be a bit heavier! Maybe ask MN to edit it from your comment?

I mean, if the dick got a few nasty comments on FB from this, I'd think "serves him right" - but you don't want it coming back to you, either.

@coachmylife

put it in the sunniest spot you can manage. We made a tiny one, and it's been a disaster (too shady; stagnant...)

Water forget me not, marsh marigold and water mint are all great in a shady pond. Aponogeton distachyos is an alternative to a water lilly in a shady pond too. I have a huge Tulip tree and bushes shading my pond and these all do well in there.

I have it! It's huge! Toddler for scale, he could easily have a bath in that

Hi OP

Full name was visible in the FB screenshot so we've nipped it down - feel free to repost with changes!