Overgrown pond

Donna Conlan

Hi there,

we we have a very overgrown pond in our background.  We think from what the landlord has told us it's a natural spring, there is a liner, but it is very overgrown.  It's roughly 2m by 5m, but is completely overgrown.  when we put a spade into it today there is almost a foot of roots above the water.  My instinct is to take the lot out, salvage a few of each type of plant and put them back in when we have cleared the rest, but we have had tadpoles and frogs the last 2 years so don't want to change the environment for them.  I have photos, but can't get them uploaded on my iPad. wI'll try and a find out to do this!

Lyn

Click on the tree icon above the posting box. You can't do it on iPhone but iPads ok.

 

barry island

I may be wrong but I think that the tadpoles will be frogs by now and as frogs and toads can live out of water you should be ok to do just as you have said clear the lot out and replant what you want to keep, be careful not to puncture the liner though.

Fairygirl

Donna - I had exactly the same issue at my last house. The big pond, spring fed too, fed into the smaller one. You wouldn't have known the smaller pond was there at all as there was planting round it on a 'mound,' so it just looked like a neglected bed. We cleared everything out apart from the flag iris and left any likely looking vegetation at the side for a few days then composted it. Within a month or two it looked ten times better and we were able to introduce a few more bits and pieces. 

 

Donna Conlan

 

Donna Conlan

 

Donna Conlan

 

Donna Conlan

 

Donna Conlan

Thank you lyn, figured it out in the end! 

Thanks Barry, sorry yes, meant they were gone this year, was worrying about next year. Di you now how I would replant them? Was thinking find the best ones with the strongest roots and just set back in the water?

 

thank you Fairy Girl, that was my next question, what plants do I have! Your pond looks great and now I know we have Flag Iris. We have some sort of lily pads, tall plants with 'clusters' at the top and I'm guessing sine sort of wild mint by the smell! Can anyone help with these pictures?

Fairygirl

You've certainly got Irises and watermint - both of which will take over! I'd haul a load of the Irises out  and just leave a small clump. The mint is a bit more tricky as it's like the normal edible type - best contained in a pot. You might find it popping up everywhere so you'll just have to pull it out where necessary. The plant in the last pic with the little clusters at the top is a rush. Again, pull it out where you don't want it.

Donna Conlan

Thank you x