Ponds, small ponds and tiny ponds

[BarrelOfOtters]

We put in a small preformed pond last year, about a 50cm by a metre. We’ve got tadpoles and the birds bath in it.

it needs cleared out as a load of garden soil got tipped in and there’s algae/pond weed growing on the side. I’ve put oxygenators in as I think the ones in there died over winter. I was going to wait till the tadpoles have gone, does that sound right?

also just filled a slopey sided large ceramic basin and put in tiny water.ily …will this work? Do tiny ponds work?

Personally I'd leave it alone until late summer, ponds don't have to be massive to settle down and become a natural haven for wild life.

Yes tiny ponds work. I have various containers scattered around my garden with water plants, solar fountains etc in them. I also have one around the size you describe. I also have a larger one which is the only one with filtration and fish. With the small ones you sometimes have to top up the water particularly in dry hot weather so just keep an eye on them.

Tiny ponds work, whether or not it's deep enough for the lily might be an issue.
How much soil fell in? I wouldn't worry too much about it, that's no different to having soil in a normal river etc and will act as great substrate for insects and frogs to dig themselves in and lay eggs.

Pond weed in natural it's a pain to keep on top of but adding some shade over the pond helps and some blanket weed controller.

If it dries out that's ok as a natural wildlife pond as again good for amphibians and insects and is what happens in natural pools

That’s helpful thank you. Don’t want it to become a stagnant swamp!

the basin pond is probably 40cm deep so I’ve put the water lily on a brick and will lower it down as it goes, the label says 20to 30 cm depth. It’s a dwarf water lily for basin ponds.

A bit of soil on the bottom will provide hiding spaces for all sorts of creatures.
Algae and pond weed growing on the side is normal.
The fact you have tadpoles means the pond is doing OK.

I'd leave it all alone until the autumn. But ideally just leave it all alone, except for water top ups (gradually) if this rain ever stops.

As above, leave it be for now, but give it a bag of watercress from the supermarket, will root easily & be no bother and keep your pond nice. It won’t interfere with the water lily.

@BarrelOfOtters can I ask what preformed pond you used? I’m looking to create something very similar and would love any recommendations!

@gardeningnovice5 it was the largest one they had at local garden centre. It’s fine and had shelves for plants. Took us an afternoon to dig out the hole, level it and fill. Put in 8n last year and full of tadpoles this spring. It’s easy so far.

it replaced a much larger established pond that we’d had to take out for building work.

watercress ? I’ll try that.

Our pond was very smelly as the oxygenator plants had died over the winter. I looked at what I could use and the best thing that I was advised was barley straw. I bought some from the local pet centre, put it in one of those perforated bags that fruit comes in and placed it in the pond with a few rocks to weigh it down a bit. Its working very well and so much cheaper than the ones they sell in garden centres too, and its natural, no chemicals :) You could also use old tights or mesh.