Small pond...

[Davejj]

Have been thinking about having a very small pond on my allotment. I think I read somewhere that having frogs about are good for eating slugs and other undesirables.

Has anyboody else got one on thier allotment and if so.... are there any other benifits or maybe reasons that a pond is not such a good idea.

Thanks...

[nick the grief]

the only thing against them are usuall folks make them too shallow & too small so the temerature fluctuates too much and they can be dangerous to small children if they are left on unused plots adn they get covered over with undergrowth.

The benefits far outweight to negatives though and now you can get solar pumps you can have a nice seating area with a small fountain. What could be nicer.

[pigletwillie]

I have just dug in a small pond, its a 1/2 cubic metre in volume and is a recycled ready mix mortar tub. I have transfrered toad and frog spawn from home into it and the tadpoles are growing by the day.

Water is the biggest draw for wildlife, just ensure that its child proof and has a ramp so anything that drops in can get out. As additional habitat to go with the pond I have also piled up some logs and made underground cavities for my amphibian slug munchers.

[rustylady]

You can usually find discarded bathtubs on or near allotments, they make good small ponds as long as you seal the plug hole and overflow. You need to place bricks or rocks in them though, to vary the water levels and allow wildlife to get out as well as in. Please make sure they are not accessible to small children, though. Tragedies happen, and it only takes a few minutes for a child to drown. Fencing of some sort round the pond, or stout mesh covering would be a good idea unless you are absolutely sure that tiny people can't get near the pond.

[Pottypotter]

You can usually find discarded bathtubs on or near allotments, they make good small ponds as long as you seal the plug hole and overflow. You need to place bricks or rocks in them though, to vary the water levels and allow wildlife to get out as well as in. Please make sure they are not accessible to small children, though. Tragedies happen, and it only takes a few minutes for a child to drown. Fencing of some sort round the pond, or stout mesh covering would be a good idea unless you are absolutely sure that tiny people can't get near the pond.

What a fantastic Idea my OH is a plumber so the next bath he takes out is going straight down the allotment.

[Davejj]

Yes I was going to put a small fence around it if I do have one. Although we dont have any children that come into our allotment area (which is also totally enclosed with lockable gate, so it will be safe.

I like the idea of having some water on the plot, would be nice to sit next to it when having a well earned beer after a good days work.

And nice toi have some plant life and a nice Lily for some colour... will have to source some spawn I guess, but then maybe some frogs will find it on thier travels?

All in all I am liking the idea more and more....

[rustylady]

Be careful, pond watching is addictive. I used to have a pond in the garden of the house where I lived when my children were younger. We had reject small koi carp who were finger tame and took food from your hand and sucked your fingers, frogs, newts and sticklebacks. Then there were the dragonflies and the tiny Yorkshire Terrier from down the road who had to be rescued. Hours and hours passed very quickly - I still think watching a pond is better for you than watching the telly.

[nick the grief]

What a fantastic Idea my OH is a plumber so the next bath he takes out is going straight down the allotment.

make for easy watering can filling as well PP

[Pottypotter]

make for easy watering can filling as well PP

Yes it would, wouldnt want the frog spawn all over veg though. Its so anoying he took a bath to the tip yesterday.