Tips on building a wildlife pond please

[BB48]

Hi

Just aquired an extra piece of allotment and it had a small pond that had completley grown over with the dreaded couch grass. Hubby has dug it all out again, only deeper and a bit bigger. Obviously we want to keep the cost dow so any tips on what best to line it with would be helpful and what plant to add ( I think there may have been some lilys which I have saved - hope they are lilys as they are blimmin expesive!). Well, any general advice would be great.

Thanks

BB

[binley100]

You need one really deep bit for critturs to hibernate in when it freezes....doesn't have to be a large bit . Then a series of shelves with a sloping bit for critturs to get out. I used a layer of sand, then a fleece underlay and a butyl liner on mine . Fill it with rainwater slowly and allow the liner to stretch into the shape. My liner and underlay came as a pack from B&Q...make sure its big enough to go over the edges . I edged mine with a variety of stones that give little rock pools and hiding places. Plants- reed mace is good , watch out for invasive plants. That oxygenating stuff they sell you can quickly take over ..then sit back and it will soon get residents.
I also have some bits of wood to aid accessibility ..

[Bill HH]

You cant beat a butyl liner but if expense is a priority heavy guage black plastic will do the job, just not for so long and its easier to damage. Dont go too deep for safety reasons.

[andy_j]

Try to create a very shallow slope to allow emerging insects and amphibians to get out...and back in. Some large beach pebbles going up this slope would be of benefit to the beasties....and for birds to come and bath in.

A few marginals would be good...create some marginal shelves around the edge around 9" deep and then potted plants such as Pickerel weed, Iris psuedochorus and arrow head can be added.

Minimum 24" deep.....you will go through many changes (algea blooms etc) before you find your balance but the insects etc will come very quickly, even at this time of year.

Fish are generally considdered a bad idea, however i find a small group of say 8 sticklebacks to be a wonderful addition to a pond in order to keep the balance right....if you can get them that is !!!!

[BB48]

Thanks for advice. Like the idea of pebbles. We are going to Cornwall next weekend and may be bringing some Cornish pebbles back with us!!