Inherited this pond - help!
haley5909
Posts: 12
im a novice gardener and really don't know where to start with this pond. 
There are lots of frogs living there. I'm not aware of what else is living in there as we've just acquired it. I don't want to disturb anything but also realise that it's not looking too healthy. We also have a dog who will invariably end up in there If we don't fence it soon.
It's in south west France so very sunny most of the year. Any advice welcome!
Many thanks in advance
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I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAWS RELATING TO WILDLIFE IN FRANCE BUT HERE IN BRITAIN I WOULD LEAVE THE POND ALONE.
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IT WILL CONTAIN FROGS, YES, AND THEIR TADPOLES AND POSSIBLY NEWTS (SOME OF THEM ARE HEAVILY PROTECTED HERE IN BRITAIN) AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER THINGS WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO YOUR GARDEN.
IT LOOKS A DELIGHTFUL POND. MANY PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THEIR EYE TEETH FOR IT.
DO YOU NOT LIKE IT BECAUSE IT LOOKS NATURAL?
HOW "CLEAN" WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?
THE "CLEANER" IT IS, THE LESS BALANCED THE ECOLOGY.
I WOULD LEAVE IT ALONE.
P.S. I AM HALF BLIND, NOT SHOUTING.
Last edited: 16 April 2017 16:59:32
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Thanks so much for your reply. I would not want to harm any wildlife at all. I'm simply ignorant when it comes to this, which is why I'm asking for advice.
From my very limited internet searching it seems many people want to clean their ponds and algae bloom was a bad thing, so assumed this was what I should do. I was a little worried about stagnation and Mosquitos and algae harming my dog if he swallows it etc but again, totally ignorant about that too.
I'd be very happy to leave it. In fact i'd prefer to!
thanks for your advice.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE POND CONTAINS HARMFUL ALGAE. THE ONLY ONE YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FROM A TOXICITY POINT OF VIEW IS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BUT THAT IS VERY RARE, COMES IN A BLOOM IN SUMMER AND IS UNLIKELY TO BE PRESENT IN YOUR POND AS (I THINK) IT IS CAUSED BY POLLUTION.
WHAT YOU HAVE ON THE WATER SURFACE APPEARS TO BE DUCKWEED. NOTHING SERIOUS. IT JUST STOPS YOU LOOKING INTO THE WATER.
MOSQUITOES CAN BREED IN THE TINIEST OF PUDDLES. THEY ARE FOND OF THE WATER WHICH COLLECTS IN OLD CAR TYRES, FOR EXAMPLE. YOU COULD DRAIN THE POND DRY AND STILL HAVE MOSQUITOES.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
PS I meant if my dog 'accidentally' swallows the water Obviously I will do my very best to keep him out of the pond. (and as I said might have to fence it off - we also have youngish children)
YES, I WOULD FENCE IT OFF.
IF YOUR DOG IS A LABRADOR YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP HIM OUT OF IT.
AND YOUNG CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED IN GARDENS ARE NOT A GOOD MIX.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Ah that makes sense about the algae. We live in London and all the ponds and lakes seem to have blue green algae and signs saying it's dangerous for dogs.
Duckweed. I really need to do my homework! I can imagine the readers on here rolling their eyes!
many thanks again! Super advice ?
He's a small mix breed (with the spirit of a spaniel and the body of a daschund - I've been fishing him out of water since he was a pup). Will get the fencing sorted and leave the frogs and others to live in peace.
thank you ?
GOT A PHOTO OF FIDO?
WE ARE ALL SUCKERS FOR A CUTE POOCH ON HERE.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
AW, HE'S MY KINDA DAWG.
HE KNOWS HE'S THE ONE, DOESN'T HE?
I'VE BUMPED UP LOGAN'S THREAD ABOUT PETS. YOU CAN JOIN THE ANIMAL MAD LOT THERE IF YOU LIKE.
Last edited: 16 April 2017 19:01:05
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.