Frogspawn and miniature wildlife pond -help please

[Serendipity]

Can anyone offer any advice please?

My neighbour found some frogspawn in her garden yesterday, it is in a plant pot which has become waterlogged and is literally sitting in a couple of inches of water. There are no ponds locally and we have no idea where it's come from (other than a frog of course!!) She wanted to throw it away but as I have been thinking of setting up a miniature wildlife pond for a while I have said that if I can sort something out I will take it and look after it.

I have a very large, glazed ceramic pot that isn't being used and was thinking of sealing the drainage hole at the bottom, half filling with clean gravel and stones and planting a couple of water plants in the gravel before topping up with water. Do you think it would then be okay to add the frogspawn and would it thrive?

I have a sunny sheltered spot that would be ideal, lots of rocks and plants around it for frogs to hide. Is there anything else I should be taking in to account?

Many thanks.

[HeyWayne]

I'm pretty sure you don't want it sighted in a sunny spot - the water would heat up too much, and probably be algae ridden in no time.

I'm no expert, but I would think a more shaded position would be better.

Good idea though, go for it! Wildlife needs all the help it can get.

[Jeanied]

See if you can find rainwater to fill the pond. You will also need some kind of ladder for the froglets to climb in and out.

[Serendipity]

Thanks Wayne, I agree with what you say, I think I'll have a go. The only reason I suggested a sunny spot is because that was suggested on another site when I Googled it. However, I also have lots of shady spots too so will pop it there.

I'm not too sure what to do about water as I don't have a pond to hand to take some pond water from. Would it be okay to top up with tap water and leave a few days to settle before adding the frogspawn?

[Serendipity]

See if you can find rainwater to fill the pond. You will also need some kind of ladder for the froglets to climb in and out.

Thanks Jeanied, unfortunately I don't have any rainwater as I still haven't got around to installing my new water butt. I was planning on piling lots of stones up one side of the pot (circular, approx 2ft diameter) for the froglets to climb out, do you think that would be okay?

[Jeanied]

Any water is better than none - but fix the pot up and pray for rain! The stones sounds just right - they can wiggle in between feeding off the microscopic things that live on the stone. They also enjoy a bit of cat food when they get to the carnivorous stage (they may eat each other too so watch out!)

[HeyWayne]

Thanks Wayne, I agree with what you say, I think I'll have a go. The only reason I suggested a sunny spot is because that was suggested on another site when I Googled it. However, I also have lots of shady spots too so will pop it there.

When I made my pond on my plot I did the same as you and Googled, and came up with the same results, but when I asked the dude at the shop next door to our allotment (Welcome to Chiltern Aquatics) he said not to put it in a sunny spot - especially if it's a shallow/small pond.

[Madasafish]

Put it in a place where it is shaded at midday. By May the water will be blood warm. Warm water holds little oxygen . Plants and tadpoles die...

[tamsin]

Yep, I would go for semi shade so they don't cook mid summer. If you use tap water just leave it 24-48hrs before adding the frogspawn. It will be fine in a bucket in the meantime.

[binley100]

Put it in a place where it is shaded at midday. By May the water will be blood warm. Warm water holds little oxygen . Plants and tadpoles die...

don't tell me that ..our pond had to go where there was room . Now I'm worried.

[Serendipity]

Thank you so much for all the advice, I now have a shady corner that gets some sunlight in the morning but is in shade the rest of the day. shall get cracking tomorrow and hopefully have it up and running soon. I hope I get lots of lovely frogs to munch on the evil slugs!

One last question, does anyone have any suggestion as to what aquatic plants I could plant in such a small space?

[tamsin]

I wouldn't put any 'oxygenator' weed it's likely to overtake the whole thing. You might fit a mini lilly or you could go for a bog plant that likes it's roots in water and head out.

[lettucegrow!]

My son came home with frogspawn about 6 years ago, it was taken in to his class and needed a home over the Easter break, and we dug a big hole and sunk an oversized bucket from Wickes into it. We now have frogs every year although it is not enough water for them to spawn or for it to survive but they still come back every year. They just have to learn to avoid the hens now!