Pond solutions

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

I have a small prefab pond that we want to put in garden, the only location at present is full sun, would that be okay, no filter etc. 
I have a 6ft tall grass which I can plant along side to provide some shade. Do you guys think will be OK. 
Otherwise I shall have to dig up my morning sun afternoon shade border 

arossrob

It might become stagnant very quickly and breed mosquitoes You can buy a small floating solar powered fountain which might help.

Fire

You can add oxygenator plants. Mozi dunks can protect against mosquitoes

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

Thank you for replying, solar pump/ fountain work OK?
Aiming for wildlife no fish, just seen a liner and underlay for 4m/3m,
Think would be able to fashion shelving and slope for better access 

Lyn

Ponds are better in full sun,  they go stagnant in the shade,  plenty of oxygenators will do the trick. 

Best not to have pumps and fountains for wild life.  Just leave it peaceful,  as long as it’s deep enough and has a sloping end so anything that falls in like hedgehogs can easily climb out. 

Plant some grasses and plants around the edge,  they like to be concealed when they climb out,  little frogs hide in grass.  Dragonflies need reeds to climb up when they are at the hatching stage. 

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

Awesome thanks, that's what I've been thinking, gonna put a layer of gravel at the bottom too. Got tall grasses and medium grasses, got a few arum lilys and tall canna lilys to go around, also got a gunnera for one side 

Lyn

Some before and after photos would be nice.
We’ve got a pond liner,  bought one of those pre moulded ones,  nearly came to divorce setting it in, gave up in the end.😀

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

Fairygirl

Those are always harder to get level than using a liner @neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX . Once you get it in, leave it for a while to settle properly before you fill/plant it, although rain will fill that quite quickly, so you might have to scoop it out if you need to amend the level. 
I've never had mosquitoes in any pond I've had, and I've had quite a few, so it'll depend where you are and what your conditions are as to whether you get them. 
Planting is key, around it every bit as much as what goes in it, and if that gunnera is happy, it will get enormous, but it'll certainly give some shade. It isn't evergreen though, so it will leave a big gap over winter, as will many grasses, so try and add some cover for year round protection too, so that any creatures can go in and out without being too exposed. The small sedges are good for that, but there are also plenty of groundcover plants which are useful, and spring bulbs offer shelter and protection too.
Making sure of the access for wildlife is very important, but it's a very small pond, so you may have to be ingenious about putting that in. Logs can often be the easiest way as you can slope them, and a little pile of rocks at one end means hedgehogs can climb out.
Good luck with it though. A pond is a great addition for any garden   

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

Fairygirl said:

Those are always harder to get level than using a liner @neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX . Once you get it in, leave it for a while to settle properly before you fill/plant it, although rain will fill that quite quickly, so you might have to scoop it out if you need to amend the level. 
I've never had mosquitoes in any pond I've had, and I've had quite a few, so it'll depend where you are and what your conditions are as to whether you get them. 
Planting is key, around it every bit as much as what goes in it, and if that gunnera is happy, it will get enormous, but it'll certainly give some shade. It isn't evergreen though, so it will leave a big gap over winter, as will many grasses, so try and add some cover for year round protection too, so that any creatures can go in and out without being too exposed. The small sedges are good for that, but there are also plenty of groundcover plants which are useful, and spring bulbs offer shelter and protection too.
Making sure of the access for wildlife is very important, but it's a very small pond, so you may have to be ingenious about putting that in. Logs can often be the easiest way as you can slope them, and a little pile of rocks at one end means hedgehogs can climb out.
Good luck with it though. A pond is a great addition for any garden   

Yes sorry should have said I've now found a liner and underlay instead of the prefab. Though I may also place that somewhere else hehe

neilsuzukisv2-Rq-DOX

My plan now is with the liner
4m/3m the have a nice gentle slope and a shelving area around for certain plants, then drop it a little more and end with a central deeper area. Gravel and Bog wood in the bottom area, I have plenty of Bog wood around