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A wildlife pond is one of the best things you can add to a garden. Within weeks it attracts insects, birds and amphibians, and it needs far less maintenance than a fish pond. Even a small pond can make a big difference.
1. Choose the right spot
- Sun for at least half the day for healthy plants, with some shade to keep the water cool.
- Away from overhanging trees to limit leaf fall.
- Near cover such as hedges or long grass, so frogs and hedgehogs can come and go safely.
- Visible from the house so you can enjoy it.
2. Plan the shape and depth
The most important feature of a wildlife pond is gently sloping sides. These let animals climb in and out and create shallow areas where most wildlife lives.
- At least one side should have a "beach" of pebbles sloping gently into the water.
- Include shelves at about 10–20cm deep for marginal plants.
- A deeper area of 45–60cm helps the pond stay cool in summer and stops it freezing solid in winter.
3. Dig and line the pond
- Mark the shape with a hose or rope, then dig, leaving the shelves and slopes.
- Remove sharp stones and roots, then add a layer of sand or a protective pond underlay.
- Lay a flexible liner such as a Gordon Low PVC liner, allowing extra all round. Browse liners and underlay.
- Fill slowly, ideally with rainwater, letting the liner settle into shape. Then trim the edges and hide them with stones, soil or turf.
For more detail, see Pond Liners and Sealers Explained.
4. Water: rain is best
Rainwater is low in nutrients and best for a wildlife pond. Tap water is high in nutrients that feed algae. If you must use it, let it stand or use a pond dechlorinator.
5. Plant it up
Plants provide oxygen, food, shelter and somewhere for dragonfly larvae to climb out. Aim for a mix of:
- Oxygenators such as hornwort and water starwort.
- Floating-leaved plants such as water lilies, to shade about a third of the surface.
- Marginals such as marsh marigold, water forget-me-not and flag iris.
Plant into pond baskets with aquatic soil, not garden soil. Browse our pond planting range and read Pond Planting Explained.
6. Let wildlife find it
Don't add frogspawn or animals from other ponds, as this can spread disease. Wildlife will arrive on its own, usually within the first season. Avoid adding fish: they eat tadpoles and insect larvae.
Looking after a wildlife pond
- Top up with rainwater in dry spells.
- Remove some blanketweed and dead leaves in autumn, leaving them on the bank for a day so creatures can return to the water.
- Thin plants in autumn rather than spring, when wildlife is breeding.
- Read Green Pond Water and Blanketweed if algae becomes a problem, and How to Prepare Your Pond for Winter.
