"Pool" advice ?

Hi all,

Im thinking of having a wildlife pool, not really a pond, more of a pool.

Here is my space:



The area is 4m long by 2m wide. I dont want to use it all, maybe half of that. Would a square or round design look better ? Can you have the odd fish in a wildlife pool ? How do i go about making it ?

So many questions as im clueless when comes to these things.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

G

 

At present it looks a little 'clinical' for a wildlife pool, but it is a start. How about looking round on fleecycle for an avocado corner bath to pop in there? That would leave enough soil to plant up round the sides.

Cheers, Tony.

 

Mr Grinch, If I may, several things to consider wrong:

Its too formal for wildlife pool
I suggest not a good location next to a trampoline (specially a bath)
Such a narrow path near it easy for anyone passing to drop stuff in.
Triangular is never good for a pond (dead areas)

Wildlife ponds are round or kidney shape or any shape with gentle curves
Mostly in a quiet area (eg in a corner) Wildlife can then live nearby in peace
Wildlife pond has no pumps, filter or fish.
Wildlife pond has what ever moves in and calls it home (I have a frog, he lives somewhere nearby the pool, but not in it)

To be honest I would not put anything to do with water in the "triangle" a lot of effort for no gain. What is in the other direction?

 

A wildlife pool may not be the best option then, although as this area drains very slowly, we had a frog appear in it within 2 days when we had all that rain !!
My daughter wants a little pool for wildlife although she would prefer a couple of goldfish.
Bit stuck now

 

Sorry to say this, I understand you want a wildlife pond but that triangle is not suitable.
As I asked before, what's looking the other way?
A small corner is fine, but not there. As Marley Farley said

Contrary to popular belief, frogs do not live in ponds, they live around them. Breeding time they will be in them, and if its a place to hide they will go in, but most of the time they live in the plants or under small rocks etc that are around the pond, which is another reason the triangle is not suitable.
Round here its not unusual to see the local frog going for a walk hop, since it does not stay in the pond all the time.

 

Hi watergarden,

Im not going to be using the whole of the triangle as ive said. I was probably looking to have a little say 3f x 3f pool, obviously a deeper part with a shelf aswell. If you dont think a little wildlife pool is approriate, then an area with a few goldfish would make her day although a wildlife pool would be more educational IMHO.
You keep saying about it being too exposed but i can say from my experiance, where there is water then you will automatically get more wildlife coming into the garden. Ever since this area has been dug and it contains some water, ive had a frog, a waterboatman, birds galore bathing and drinking and thats in this exposed area. With a bit of planting and some well placed shingle do you not think it would work ? Even if its a square or oblong pool to match the lines ?

G

 

Marley Farley, I was using your comment to show that frogs Don't live in ponds, nothing else. I realise you know that since it was you who said about the 7 frogs.

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Mr Grinch, Obviously the bigger the pond the better, but location must also be taken into consideration, that triangle is just not suitable. (its not just the shape but the location, a wildlife pond should be in a secluded area)​

I agree that a wildlife pond would be better, I never said it wouldn't. In fact a pond with fish is harder to maintain. (and more expensive)​

 

I say go for it
if you plant up round it, will give it some shade
frogs and toads cross roads and all sorts "in the wild" so a few paving slabs shouldnt be a problem

 

"in the wild" frogs and toads that cross the road get squashed.
Its the location as well as size / shape that makes it unsuitable. (Not the surrounding material, although that is not ideal)

 

surely he wont have cars running up and down the slabs though?