Advice re a small wildlife pond

I would like to put a small wildlife pond (no fish) in my garden in the hope that it will attract frogs and toads, who can help reduce my garden pest eg slug,snail, woodlice problem.

Is there a downside to having frogs in the garden, I don't want to attract anything else that will eat seedlings and vegetables!

 

Hi Louise

There was another thread here very recently about using a baby bath to create a small wildlife pond. Link attached

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/baby-bath-t29332.html

I can't see what detrimental effects having frogs in the garden would be - I have several toads that live in the garden and the only problem with them is to give me a fright when I go out at night time and see them wandering about. Oh yes, and one of them squashed some young growth on Phlox I had planted!

 

With any pond, I'd suggest whatever with which you edge it, you have it sloping away from it, so that anything you put on your garden or lawn in the way of fertilizers etc., won't run into it.

I'd also suggest using a small piece of pipe below the edging to act as an overflow. This will enable you to "trickle change" the water over-night with a garden hose occasionally, to clear it if it becomes too cloudy or goes a bit "thick."

 

Those plasterers baths look ideal. I have a spot in mind for it, but it's quite close to the back of the garage - near the house. Do you think that would be a problem?

 

I saw that one on the link provided by Aaron, it's really inspired me :gnthb:
What is the plant you have growing in it that looks like basil? ( the only way I can describe it)
I haven't seen any plasterer's baths so I'll have to try and get one brought over somehow, I really want to press on with this now.

 

I found THIS ONE

 

I don't think there is a downside to having frogs in your garden, other than when you have hundreds of froglets marching across your lawn, check before you mow.


Pete

 

Thank you . Watergarden that bath is so much cheaper than any i'd seen, so I have snapped one up. :gnthb:
Once I've got it so I let it fill up with rainwater ( my water bins did this and they attraected those red midge worms, or try and get some authentic pond water from somewhere. Will frogs and toads find my pond or should I try and get some spawn?

 

Any "type" of water will be fine since you are not adding fish or anything else just now. (Although it could be debated rain water is better)
For it to be a true wildlife pond all you do now is sit back an wait, the wildlife will find it, given time. If they like it they will stay.
You may want to add some "stuff" such as a few logs on the bank (Makes a home for frogs) Pot or two on their side in the pool (shelter) and something for the likes of hedghogs to climb out (A few secure bricks can be good, no cement) OH AND A SMALL "FOR RENT" sign may help

 

we have a large rock in ours so froglets/birds/etc can climb out

 

Finally got the plasterer's bath here and today we dug and placed it in situe. I have got to try and source some pond plants now but want to give it a while to bed in empty as I am sure the soil will move when it rains and then fill it and wait for it to shift again. I think it will be just the job.

 

Looking good.

Are you going to edge it?

I'd suggest that whatever you do you make the area around it slope away from it slightly so in heavy rain you don't get stuff flowing into it.