GARDEN PONDs To keep or to fill...?

[jmum6]

We've a gardenpond right outside the back door. Ds is 7months but as yet not crawling.

We've been discussing what we should do with it, whether to fill it in, cover it with a grate or leave it as it is and teach ds to stay away from it.

What would you do?

What a lovely quote. Should be in every school and every home.

We are moving into a new house tomorrow that has a small (about a metre cubed, possibly actually only about half a metre deep actually) pond. We can't fill it in as the house is rented, but we do have a very inquisitive 2 year old and another baby due in november. Money is extremely tight, but we are not scared of a bit of DIY and junk recycling. Any ideas on how we can make it safe?

I'd leave the liner and fill to make a bog garden if I had a little 'un.

We've just made a small pond - DD is 10 - its already attracting wildlife. DH had her and a friend engaged for hours last weekend looking at mosquito larvae, water fleas etc under the microscope (the friend is not an outdoorsy kid, HSM type but she was totally fascinated.) Thoroughly recommend for bigger 'uns.

i'm not sure I'd be allowed to do that tbh, the landlord seems pretty strict. I think it will have to be some kind of mesh.

we have a grate that dh made as pond is a funny shape...it is bolted on but the bolts can be undone and it can be lifted to weed etc....it's safe and kids love looking at the fish and frogs

its made of galvanised steel grid that you buy in a sheet and cut to size with a boltcutter or similar then file the ends t smooth them.

grid is cheap to buy....think we got it from jewsons

sorry lissy - I realised that, meant to say this suggestion was for the OP. You're right, you'll have to do mesh or boarding.

OP- do keep the pond for all the reasons mentioned, but make sure the mesh can take an adult's weight. Rebar is good, cut down as pollywobble suggests. It rusts nicely so doesn't look hideous.