Pond advice please!!!

[lainey lou]

Hi Folks.
I want make a small pond at the lottie, I mean little cause I've only got a 1/2 plot and can't afford to give up too much space but would like to encourage wildlife and could get hold of some frog spawn (stop for breath.....).
I was wondering if anyone has any views on a suitable receptical. I've seen some old tin baths that are quite little, oval shaped and around 60x40 cm and about 35 cms deep, there are some that are bigger and smaller than this.
Any thoughts?

[HeyWayne]

I'll be making a small pond on my plot too soon. Mother has some waterproof weed supressant plastic type stuff which she reckons will do the job. I think I might (as a precaution) as the pond/aquatic shop next to the allotment if they have any pond liner off-cuts I could have.

There was an article in GYO about ponds (last month I think). I'll have a look this evening if you like? I think you have to have a certain depth to stop it drying out, and also for things to survive. Summit like that anyway...

I was going to use a corner bath that someone was getting rid of, but I forgot to ask for it.

[lainey lou]

Ooh! thanks Wayne, probs got that one somewhere if I haven't leant it to my Dad, will take a peak.

[lainey lou]

LOL! Had a quick look at that article, makes my idea look like a puddle!!

[HeyWayne]

LOL! Had a quick look at that article, makes my idea look like a puddle!!

Mine too, but one can scale down.

[scarey55]

Amongst loads of other rubbish left for us when we moved here was an old babies bath. Once I have bunged up a small hole I intend sinking it in the "wild" area and filling it up with water to see if I get anything taking up residence. I saw it somwhere on here, I'll let you know how I get on.

P.S. By wild area I mean of course, somewhere I haven't got around to working on yet

Edit: I've found the thread. It is by Bluemoon in the thread childs sandpit thing.

[Paul Wagland]

A tin bath might rust... what with it getting a bit wet

A plastic one would be ok if it's strong enough (remember that some plastics will get brittle in the sun, and a crack could be fatal for the inhabitants).

Fibreglass baths are good, or something like a butler sink if you can find a cheap one.

[HeyWayne]

A tin bath might rust... what with it getting a bit wet

A plastic one would be ok if it's strong enough (remember that some plastics will get brittle in the sun, and a crack could be fatal for the inhabitants).

Fibreglass baths are good, or something like a butler sink if you can find a cheap one.

All of which should have a plug fitted.

[Paul Wagland]

All of which should have a plug fitted.

And have the hollow bit pointing upwards

If you can't find a plug to fit, use one that doesn't fit and fix it in place with plenty of sealant.

[HeyWayne]

And have the hollow bit pointing upwards

If you can't find a plug to fit, use one that doesn't fit and fix it in place with plenty of sealant.

..and probably the overflow bit plugged up.

It's probably wise to disconnect it from the mains too.

[janeyo]

I was thinking of giving my son a small bit of the garden to plant in. He already chose his seeds so guess I need to get a crack on with it!
I was wondering if I could use an old washing up bowl as a pond for him? Is this too small? How deep do I need to plant it? Obviously I would get OH to put some mesh over it so he can't fall in (he's quite clumsy, my son not Oh although he doesn't get that from me, lol). Do I just put water in it and wait? Never had a pond before.....

Any ideas?

janeyo

[The Doctor]

...Fibreglass baths are good, or something like a butler sink if you can find a cheap one.

Just got a couple of butler sinks from an old laboratory that was being stripped at work.

Ones quite clean and t'other's a bit grubby, so I plan to give them a good scrub over Easter and use them for just this purpose.

[Headfry]

Remember the sides of baths etc are steep and very smooth, not good at all for critters to get in or worse still- out of your ponds! think hedgehogs falling in? frogs getting out.

The pond would need to be 18" deep or so, this is to do with it freezing in winter, creatures who live in the silt will not want to be in-tombed in ice, and you will need to clear a breathing hole for the gases to escape should it freeze.

We have a small pond and I love spending hours just watching what goes on....roll on summer!

[SarzWix]

A tin bath might rust... what with it getting a bit wet

It's probably galvanised, which should make it last a bit longer. I've had a 'tin bath pond' in my back garden for 2 years, 3 this year, and the birds love it. It has some flag iris in a basket, an arum lily in a teracotta pot, & some flowering rush also in a basket. The birds bath in it, drink from it and fight over the handle as a perch!
I've had a look for a pic, but I can only find one from when I first set it up - the plants have grown, been re-potted & swapped around since then! Still it gives an idea

[jeannine]

Re children and the dangers of accidents in water, I looked into the figures of this once for that Water Gardening magazine that Paul and I used to edit. Apparently it's boys aged under 5 who are most at risk - I don't know if that's because they are more clumsy or just more inclined to explore than girls!

Anyway, but it's worth erring on the side of caution and supervising youngsters around ponds - it's often when children are visiting friends and relatives that accidents happen - they are rare but even one accident a year is one too many!

Re just filling the pond up and waiting, it's amazing how quickly wildlife floods to water, especially once you put a few plants in!