Wildlife pond Justin Rowlatt

emma lou · September 2023

I saw the clip showing reporter Justin Rowlatt’s wildlife pond to encourage wildlife and conservation into the garden. The article I saw was not very detailed. Just wonder if anyone has done this,mor if anyone has used any how to links on where to begin? I do not want a fishpond as such, just a way of enticing newts, spawn etc into the pond. Cheap techniques, location, size and plants etc etc would be gratefully appreciated. TIA.

plant pauper · September 2023

Bump.

Fairygirl · September 2023

I don't know who this is - was it an item on G's World or something? I've not watched the last 3 or 4 episodes yet.
If you want to create a wildlife pond @emma lou , loads of people here on the forum have them, and will offer help.

You could also try the search option at the top of the page, but it's often pretty useless.

It's fairly straightforward to create a wildlife pond though - some pond liner, something as underlay beneath it, and a decent sized hole with varying depths. A slope at one end, or around it, for access. A sunnier site works best, but you also need some good cover nearby for wildlife to feel safe when using it, so a variety of plants is needed for that, along with the pond plants themselves.
There are plenty of good suppliers of those like Puddleplants, Waterside, Devon Pond Plants etc. Many of us have used all of those.
If you can give us some photos of the site you have, we can give you some help

BenCotto · September 2023

You might find this book very helpful. I think there is a paper copy as well as an electronic one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/complete-wildlife-pond-Wildlife-maintain-ebook/dp/B00D3RUDRC

LG_ · September 2023

I used this guide when I made my pond:
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-pond

Liriodendron · September 2023

Have you seen this, @emma lou?
https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/help-fight-climate-change-dig-a-pond
It doesn't give much detail about how he did it, but it's a start, perhaps.

nutcutlet · September 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKrjMv6TMlU
plus lots on youtube, just put 'wildlife pond' into its search box

Lyn · September 2023

I used this book.

bcpathome · September 2023

I just sunk a large garden pot into the edge of my garden near to my rough or wild area . Put a few rocks in and around it and let grass and dock and all sorts grow between the rocks . Chucked some seeds down ,nigella ,forget me not ,poppy etc and bought a mini bulrush to put into the water in a basket supported by a brick .It’s cost me pence to make and everyone asks me who made it for me and what they charged . I had dozens of frogs ,spawn ,damsels ,also hedgehog drinks from it ( as do the neighbours cats) so just use your imagination is my advice .Unless you want a pond that looks like everybody else’s of course ,then I’d use a book or video .

bcpathome · September 2023

Oh yes I spent £1 50 on some pond weed for oxygenation by the way .

Redwing · September 2023

Wildlife ponds are best with native species in them. I've got water mint, brooklime, marsh marigolds, water forget-me-nots, spearwort, flag iris, pontideria, bogbean and some others I forget. Oxygenators are hornwort and milfoil. Pontideria and spearwort are the best, in my experience, for dragonfly and damselfly larvae to emerge up.

If you search RSPB wildlife pond and wildlife trusts wildlife ponds you will find excellent advice as well as species lists.

Wildlife pond Justin Rowlatt

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