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Mini wildlife pond
I want to construct a mini wildlife pond in a container approximately 400mm x 600mm x 300mm depth, sunk into the ground. Which (native) oxygenating plants would be best in this small space, and should they be planted in a substrate at the bottom of the container or in pots?
TIA Mark |
#2
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MarkA wrote:
:: I want to construct a mini wildlife pond in a container approximately :: 400mm x 600mm x 300mm depth, sunk into the ground. Which (native) :: oxygenating plants would be best in this small space, and should they :: be planted in a substrate at the bottom of the container or in pots? are you sure you've got those dimensions correct? - it will be less than 2ft sqare and barely visible, with or without plants. -- If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs. |
#3
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In article , MarkA MarkA.1w2o7y@garden
banter.co.uk writes I want to construct a mini wildlife pond in a container approximately 400mm x 600mm x 300mm depth, sunk into the ground. Which (native) oxygenating plants would be best in this small space, and should they be planted in a substrate at the bottom of the container or in pots? If it's to be wildlife, most important thing will be to have some sort of ramp up to the edge so amphibious wildlife can get out. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#4
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"Kay" wrote in message
... In article , MarkA MarkA.1w2o7y@garden banter.co.uk writes If it's to be wildlife, most important thing will be to have some sort of ramp up to the edge so amphibious wildlife can get out. A friend finds that frogs seem to have no problem in near vertical smooth sided containers in her garden. And their tops are about 30cm above ground level. No idea how they get in or out. -- M Stewart Milton Keynes, UK http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm |
#5
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Quote:
Yes I know it's tiny, but that's the point. Space is at a premium, aesthetics is not a priority, it's probably only temporary, and it's an experiment - a way of adding wildlife value to a tiny backyard (I've seen frogs using a "pond" of comparable size, and it will be dug into the ground, with the rim at ground level). If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but I'd rather find that out for myself. Perhaps I should rephrase the question: must I use up valuable water volume by planting in pots, or can I plant into a substrate at the bottom, and if so, what should that substrate consist of? cheers Mark |
#6
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In article , MarkA MarkA.1w4ivz@garden
banter.co.uk writes Yes I know it's tiny, but that's the point. Space is at a premium, aesthetics is not a priority, it's probably only temporary, and it's an experiment - a way of adding wildlife value to a tiny backyard (I've seen frogs using a "pond" of comparable size, and it will be dug into the ground, with the rim at ground level). If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but I'd rather find that out for myself. Perhaps I should rephrase the question: must I use up valuable water volume by planting in pots, or can I plant into a substrate at the bottom, and if so, what should that substrate consist of? You'll use more space by having a substrate - you'll take away depth. You should use the special aquatic pots which are like plastic baskets. they don't need to be large - you may be able to get away with 2 inches square. Aquatic compost - low nutrient, too. Some of the water weeds don't need soil as such - they just throw roots into the water. Then you'll also want something to cover some of the surface - you could use a floating plant. If you want wildlife, then you'll be best sticking to UK natives. A lot of plants will be too big or too vigorous. Watercress grows if you just chuck a bundle in, but grows too quickly - you'll be forever weeding out the surplus. Water forget-me-not is a good bet and again just throw in a rooted cutting, also Mimulus (monkey musk). You won't need a lot of plants. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#7
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In article , Malcolm Stewart
writes "Kay" wrote in message ... In article , MarkA MarkA.1w2o7y@garden banter.co.uk writes If it's to be wildlife, most important thing will be to have some sort of ramp up to the edge so amphibious wildlife can get out. A friend finds that frogs seem to have no problem in near vertical smooth sided containers in her garden. And their tops are about 30cm above ground level. No idea how they get in or out. Is this adult frogs or babies? I'd find it hard to imagine a half inch long frogling getting out. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
#8
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"Kay" wrote in message
... In article , Malcolm Stewart writes A friend finds that frogs seem to have no problem in near vertical smooth sided containers in her garden. And their tops are about 30cm above ground level. No idea how they get in or out. Is this adult frogs or babies? I'd find it hard to imagine a half inch long frogling getting out. -- Adults, from memory. -- M Stewart Milton Keynes, UK http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm |
#9
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are you sure you've got those dimensions correct? - it will be less than 2ft sqare and barely visible, with or without plants. Here's an idea for a tiny watergarden: http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php...15&Item id=98 |
#10
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I was thinking of Water f-m-n, also Water Crowfoot and Water Plantain - any comments? Mimulus - guttatus? moschatus? Isn't it a wetland plant? Aquatic compost - from garden centres? thanks Mark |
#11
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In article , MarkA MarkA.1w6djy@garden
banter.co.uk writes Thank you Kay. That's just what I needed to know. I will be using natives, and constructing an escape route for froglets. I was thinking of Water f-m-n, also Water Crowfoot and Water Plantain - any comments? OK, both, but get the water f-m-n first as it gives more flowers for a longer period. Water plantain is a bit larger scale - might be a bit big for you. Fitter et al describe it as medium/tall ie 1 ft to over 2ft. I haven't got much experience of UK natives - my home ponds are all bigger than yours, and the ones at the Nature Park much bigger, so we go for large things. Mimulus - guttatus? moschatus? Isn't it a wetland plant? I've got it growing in the middle of a pond. Slugs are fond of it and they have more difficulty getting to it there. Aquatic compost - from garden centres? Yep. The other thing is not to stick the pond out in the middle of nowhere - have at least one side (the side with the ramp) hard up against dense moist vegetation or damp grass that you don't cut at all in the summer. If you do get frogspawn, then the emerging frogs will need cover and somewhere to forage. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
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