I want to create a pond in my back garden

Ask Anything
21

I’ll have to check on what facilities fish require… it’s not very big and in full sun… we might end up with fish stew :wink:

1 Like
22

A water lily for shelter from the sun? Maybe if you can make it deep it won’t heat up so much. It’ll be lovely :slightly_smiling_face:

23

It’s certainly a lovely idea… just need to sell the idea to OH :wink: and he might be able to link it to the waterbutt (which we have yet to buy… )

24

Also an air pump via an air stone to keep everything happy especially if in sunlight as that can cause a lack of oxygen.

2 Likes
25

And a small fountain to keep the water moving - mosquitoes don’t like that - solar powered.

5 Likes
26

solar powered fountain… now that is an excellent idea… :+1:

1 Like
27

Fish! They will eat the mozzie larvae!

1 Like
28

Defo make a pond, it enriches one’s life!

1 Like
29

This can only be a small “pond” in full sun… so I’m concerned about boiled-fish :wink:
will toads eat the larvae???

30

We live in Corse du Sud and our fish are healthy and in good form!! Not fried or even poached :smile:. I suspect we have the southernmost pond in SurviveFrance! It’s mostly open to the sun, with small ares under grasses that have grown to give some shade. So you should be OK.

1 Like
31

Ours is only about 45 cm deep at the deepest point, as we hit bedrock (granite outcrop). Originally, the area was occupied by a lilac bush in a border that had died.

32

@stella If you would like a water lily then it will have to be fairly deep (minimum 18"). Also, if there is any chance of putting a few plants around the edge that will not only provide shade but also cover for chaps like frogs and toads when they are not in the water.

2 Likes
33

When we bought our flag iris, I was less than convinced that it would take, but it did! If anything, it has become somewhat too well established. It offers cover for the fish, and feeding areas, as they come into the roots and leaves and nibble stuff (not quite sure what, presumably some kind of crustaceans or other food source), but they seem to like it.

34

For @stella’s idea of a small pond, I would definitely not recommend flag iris unless she just wants a dedicated flag iris bed :rofl:

35

Yes, be prepared to be ruthless about splitting the root base after a few years !

1 Like
36

Alternatively there are dwarf varieties for small ponds :thinking:

37

In fits and starts (some years nuffink) frogs and toads wander/jump around our terraces, A lovely big toad used to regularly hibernate in the clematis pot… no idea where the frogs go to … unless they dive into the well which is about 50m away … and very, very deep

38

That’s still deep enough to over the top of your wellies if you have to intervene and forget where exactly the deep bit is :slight_smile:

1 Like