We used an old tyre, having first cut off the rim on one side. The trye gives the pond strength and stability and also gives another level inside the pond. The hole was dug 38cm deep (min) the width of the inside of the tyre, levelling out at the top to the width of the outside of the tyre so that the tyre sits flush with the surrounding earth. In the hole place some fatty sand or thick layers of newspaper. This protects the liner. Make sure everything is level and then add the liner, (we used 2 pieces of builders plastic). Fill with the hose making sure you even out pleats as it fills. When water is at the top of the inner hole place the tyre on the ledge, placing the piece you cut off underneath ( this disposes of it ). Finish filling the pond and when it's full place a stick in the pond, making sure it sits inside the tyre so that you don't pierce the liner, for lizards and birds. Over the rim of the tyre place some rocks to hide the tyre but also for habitat for beneficials, being careful not to push down on the rim.
One of our participants was a mother of a toddler with another on the way. She was a little concerned about the safety of the pond with children around and asked if there was another way to attract frogs. ..
There are many frogs which don't like deep water and will live in and around shallow water and make themselves quite at home in bromiliads.
When I move to my new home in Wales, I hope to built a little frog pond too. I've been told by the landlord that he often finds frogs in the garden, and its bizarre as the house is located near a busy motorway.
ReplyDeleteI am surrounded by frogs on my property! Frogs, gaters, snakes! For someone who was a city girl, I have learned a lot about country life! The frog pond is adorable! xx
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about putting a frog pond into one of my raised beds about that size. We have lots of little frogs in the beds this time of year . It would then be out of the reach of very small children too. Your pond looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteA great little pond. You obviously used an old OLD tyre, as the modern ones are steel belted (or did you?)... If steel belted, what method did you use to cut it?
ReplyDeleteIn relations to your last sentence, I have found frogs in most of my strappy plants such as day lillies, cordylines, etc, as well as the bromeliads you mention. "Plant them and they will come"!
It was a non steel belted tyre and quite old, can you not get them anymore? Yes I think people are quite surprised by where they can find frogs, if they would just stop using pesticides! We even have them in our downpipes which freaks some people out when they hear their croaking echoing all around them.
ReplyDeleteMy son would love a Frog pond! I have never put one in also because of young children always around. It's amazing how many frogs we find around here and in all sorts of places....
ReplyDeleteNice work, Kate. I'd love to have a frog pond but the cane toads would take over. Damn those toads!!! We do have green tree frogs living in and around our water tanks and many tiny sedge frogs in the garden where ever there are moist conditions.
ReplyDeleteprevious owners of our new property put a bathtub pond in the 'rainforest area' near the house. I've been giving it a little TLC of late and sure enough, was rewarded with the magical night song.
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