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Can I put a wildlife pond in full sun?

SplandySplandy Posts: 161
in Wildlife gardening
I'd love a wildlife pond but realistically the only place I can put one is in full sun. Is this a bad idea? It'll only be a small one - probably maximum 1.5m length. 

Posts

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,048
    Full sun is fine for ponds provided you have enough plants to keep the water covered (there are differing opinions as to how much, some say two thirds, others a third but more to begin with helps and you can thin it out later). The thing with ponds is to make them as big as you can and have a mixture of plants for differing water depth. It will go green and manky as it matures but using rainwater can help reduce this as can a nice water lily to cover a good portion of the waters surface.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,250
    I don’t think it’s a good idea to put it in full sun .It will heat up very quickly and go green very quickly. If it really I’d the only place for it plant something to cast shade over it as well as water plants ,maybe some tall grasses to cast shade or a small bush ,but it’ll certainly need something .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,955
    Yes - full sun is fine. It comes down to having suitable planting - both in and around it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,933
    I agree full sun is fine, but as above plant something around the pond to cast some shade. As also mentioned evaporation is likely to be a problem in summer.
    If you can keep it topped up with rainwater that would be a big help with algae control.

    Something that creeps along the top of the water would help create more shade- Brooklime would work. I have it in my pond and it has spread from the side of the pond toward the middle. Even if you plant it in soil at the edge of your pond it'll be quite happy and soon start spreading into you pond. Mine has grown from the pond into some of the surrounding raised veg beds!
    Water mint spreads along the surface too.
    I just pull bits out when it all gets a bit too overgrown. A job for mid-late summer once most of the various eggs have hatched

    If you can, make it at least 60cm deep at some point so that in a bad winter the whole pond doesn't freeze solid.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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