@FlyDragon One tip about ponds. We have two, a black one in our garden much like the one you are thinking of buying, and a green one at our allotment. You can see much more of the plants and the wildlife especially (damselfly larvae, snails, etc) in the green one. The black one is so dark that you can't see much below the surface.
If this matters to you, if you have kids for example who want to see the critters, then try to find something paler for the pond material. You'll still see lots either way, but it does make a bit of a difference in our experience.
Thanks, I wouldn't have thought of that. No kids, just me, but when niece and nephew can visit again would be nice for them to have a peer in!
I think that's too small @februarysgirl. It would be impossible to make it easy to access without filling it with something suitable, apart from maybe a log of some kind. If you're sinking it, something like the one @FlyDragon is getting would be ideal.
Although they're small, any little space of water is better than none.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl, a larger one would be lovely but not possible. I'm limited to where I can put one and a larger one in that location would block off the gap where the hedgehog comes into the garden. A log isn't a problem, I do have some available. From a decorative point of view, I was thinking about getting something from aquarium supplies, maybe some driftwood.
I'm wondering if it might be nice to have the pond a bit more in the open where I can see what's happening in it, rather than in the shady spot where I'm sure it would get use but I would have to go and peer in to know!
I do have a lot of bird activity in the garden though, is that likely to be a problem for a more exposed pond? It would only be a couple of short hops from the shady area!
My mini pond is about 20 cm and it's shallow to be much use.
Oh really? Do you not get many visitors?
The big grey tub is too big for the space I was originally planning for, but I've now got officially carried away and I'm going to sacrifice a corner of lawn and put it in a more prominent position. I'll put a woodpile in the shady spot instead, that'll still benefit the frogs and insects. Sadly I don't get hedgehogs in the back garden.
Please don't laugh at my graphic design skills, but this is what I'm thinking, what are your (or anybody else's) thoughts? Is it too near the bird feeder? Too exposed? I will partially sink it into the ground I think, not fully so the half blind old dog doesn't just walk in! Then the pots will both provide cover for critters to get to the water, as well as hiding the ugly stone bed behind.
PS. Please ignore the mess, I made the mess planting out last weekend, my garden bin was only emptied on Friday and I was too lazy/it was raining yesterday!
It might be better to think of having a bird bath, as opposed to a pond. Any little area of water is very useful. In addition to my little pond, I also have a round metal tray, which was the base for a barbecue which sat in a fire pit thing. I have that in the garden as well, with a rock at the edge and some gravel. It's about 2 inches deep, and about a foot across. I have gravel paths, so I set it into that a little. The small birds all use it for a dip
I think having it in a more open spot is a better idea @FlyDragon. You may find it heats up a bit more quickly, but you can add something as simple as watercress which helps shade the surface and it also uses up excess nutrients. Every so often, you can put the hose on it with a sprinkler head - a bit like a waterfall effect - which helps aerate it too. If you have any rocks you can acquire, or logs, or just a few small plants to disguise the edging, that will help too, and will give cover.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Don’t have a pond under a bird feeder ... the birds droppings and the bits of seed they discard will turn into an unpleasant ‘soup’ , particularly if it’s a small pond and the water warms up 🤢
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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If you're sinking it, something like the one @FlyDragon is getting would be ideal.
Although they're small, any little space of water is better than none.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm wondering if it might be nice to have the pond a bit more in the open where I can see what's happening in it, rather than in the shady spot where I'm sure it would get use but I would have to go and peer in to know!
I do have a lot of bird activity in the garden though, is that likely to be a problem for a more exposed pond? It would only be a couple of short hops from the shady area!
The big grey tub is too big for the space I was originally planning for, but I've now got officially carried away and I'm going to sacrifice a corner of lawn and put it in a more prominent position. I'll put a woodpile in the shady spot instead, that'll still benefit the frogs and insects. Sadly I don't get hedgehogs in the back garden.
Please don't laugh at my graphic design skills, but this is what I'm thinking, what are your (or anybody else's) thoughts? Is it too near the bird feeder? Too exposed? I will partially sink it into the ground I think, not fully so the half blind old dog doesn't just walk in! Then the pots will both provide cover for critters to get to the water, as well as hiding the ugly stone bed behind.
PS. Please ignore the mess, I made the mess planting out last weekend, my garden bin was only emptied on Friday and I was too lazy/it was raining yesterday!
Any little area of water is very useful. In addition to my little pond, I also have a round metal tray, which was the base for a barbecue which sat in a fire pit thing. I have that in the garden as well, with a rock at the edge and some gravel. It's about 2 inches deep, and about a foot across. I have gravel paths, so I set it into that a little. The small birds all use it for a dip
I think having it in a more open spot is a better idea @FlyDragon. You may find it heats up a bit more quickly, but you can add something as simple as watercress which helps shade the surface and it also uses up excess nutrients. Every so often, you can put the hose on it with a sprinkler head - a bit like a waterfall effect - which helps aerate it too.
If you have any rocks you can acquire, or logs, or just a few small plants to disguise the edging, that will help too, and will give cover.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have another sheltered corner I can put the pond in but then I wouldn't be able to see it from the house, it'd be hidden by a raised bed.
I've got a birdbath on order anyway! I wanted this more for the frogs and hopefully newts if I'm lucky...
I've no shortage of rocks or logs, so can use those to get the environment right.
I've bought the tup off amazon now so it has to go somewhere!