Basic water feature

square_bear

Hi,
I would like to have a small water feature in my garden this year.

I don't want to put any fish in it but I would like to attract Frogs and newts and the birds etc.

I would like to have something growing from it as well.

What type of container is suitable for this and what type of water and if anything else do I need to put in it?

Thanks

conradmum

Any waterproof container can be used as a water feature. On my allotment I used to have a washing up bowl sunk to soil level. As it's mostly hidden, you just need to get something the size that you want your feature to be, just make sure that it's flush with the ground so that things can get in and out easily (you may need a 'ramp' in the water for things that can't manage sheer, slippery sides).

To start off you can fill it with tap water but after that try to avoid using tap water as it isn't really suitable to keep a good balance of plant and animal life.

The one thing you must have are oxygenating plants. These keep the water fresh and provide cover for pond creatures. Some are very efficient and easy, such as elodea crispa, but they'll take over. Others are prettier but more hard work. It's probably best to do a bit of research on this. You might want a water lily for example, but you'll need to be aware of the depth of water it requires. Choose your plants carefully and you'll save yourself a lot of work.

Regarding the animals, I believe you aren't supposed to take frog spawn from natural ponds, but most likely the frogs will turn up by themselves.

square_bear

Thanks for the reply.
I do have an old washing up bowl and maybe a couple of suitable things to use as a ramp.
I'll check with the garden centre about plants.

JWF

See if you can get hold of an old butler sink on Freecycle or somewhere, plop a bit of concrete in the drain hole and sink it in the ground.

Don't forget to put a brick or something in, whatever you use, so that hedgehogs can get out if they fall in - apparently they fall in ponds etc. quite often when they try to get a drink