Covering a pond in a frog-friendly way?

[porcupine11]

Hello,

We want to put a cover of some kind over our pond so our toddler can go in the garden, but it's teeming with really big frogs at the moment.

Can anyone recommend a way of covering the pond that would not disturb the frogs too much? If they only had one place to exit the pond, would that be enough, or would they get confused and stuck in the pond? I'm not sure how they're all going to survive anyway, as there must be about 40 and it's just a small garden pond.

Many thanks

The DC's school garden pond has some kind of grid just below the water-level, which is strong enough to stand on (although that should obviously be discouraged) and is definitely frog-friendly. They have loads! Still looks like a pond, too, which is nice.

that's a lovely idea having the grid under the pond - though we're in a rental house so reluctant to spend much. I might see if that can be done without having to relay the pond iyswim - thanks!

I'm sorry I can't help with you with how it's fitted or anything like that - but glad you like the idea!

In fact, just did a quick search and came up with this. I hope it's not a huge pond!

I wondered whether you might be able to ask your landlord for a contribution? Might be worth him/her making sure it's done well, rather than risk a future tenant doing something terrible to it!

My friend who is a garden designer and also a dab hand with a drill make her own grille for the pond with builder's reinforcing mesh. I can't remember how it's fixed to the edge of the pond, though. Otherwise, you could put a wire mesh fence around the pond, but that might be an eyesore.

I agree that your landlord ought at least to make a contribution to the cost. It's all part of making sure that you as tenants are safe.