Adding water is one of the best things you can do for garden wildlife. Within months, a new pond is often visited by insects, birds, and amphibians.
A wildlife pond is designed differently from an ornamental fish pond.
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Position
Choose a spot with some sun but partial shade, away from overhanging trees that drop leaves. Close to existing planting gives wildlife cover to approach.
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Shape and depth
Include gently sloping shallow edges so animals can get in and out, plus a deeper zone of at least 60 cm in part of the pond to stay cool in summer and unfrozen at the bottom in winter. Varied depths support different plants.
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Planting
- ✿Marginal plants at the edges for cover
- ✿Oxygenating plants under the water
- ✿Floating-leaved plants for shade
- ✿Avoid invasive non-native pond plants
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Do not add fish
Fish eat frogspawn, tadpoles, and insect larvae. A wildlife pond works best without them. Fill with rainwater where possible, as tap water is high in nutrients that encourage algae.
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Safety
Open water is a risk to young children. Consider a sturdy grille, fencing, or delaying the pond until children are older.
This is general landscaping and garden information, not professional advice. Costs, regulations, and plant suitability vary by location. Call before you dig to locate buried utilities, and consult a licensed landscaper or engineer for retaining walls, drainage, and structural work.