It is a year on now & we have had a few problems - the water PH reading is 8.8 when it should be 7.5 so many of the oxygenating plants died or were eating by over hungry, visiting ducks. There is too much blanket weed (due to lack of surviving oxygenating plants due to high PH). On the plus side - we spend quite a time each day watching the newts play hide 'n' seek in the water. We photographed various types of dragonflies settled on the warm granite edging and enjoy watching the birds bathing in the stream. There are other insects using the pond too, but only one tadpole has survived the newts so far. The plants surrounding the pond have been a huge success and most overwintered to return stronger and more colourful than they were last year.The bog garden - alongside the pond, which we keep permanently damp The stream that leads into the pond - the water is pumped out of the natural well to feed the stream and pondThe bog garden with the small gunera, hostal, iris and grasses.Our miniature toadstool fits nicely into the layoutThe granite surround built to enclose the well
Fantastic work GD. It’s just stunning. Glad the wildlife is appreciating your efforts. I have the same problem with newts. My ponds were the scene of a tadpole holocaust this year but a small number of ‘survivors’ seem to be hanging on in there.
Well I hope you have better luck than us with those precious tadpoles THH. It was like watching a murder scene watching them disappearing and the newts look so innocent too! Thanks for the positive response to the pond - it was hard work, but is worth the effort we put in - always something to watch especially at this time of year.
Thank you Joyce - I would say yes, although it wasn't an easy project for us either. However the area looks a whole lot more interesting than it did before we started.
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On the plus side - we spend quite a time each day watching the newts play hide 'n' seek in the water. We photographed various types of dragonflies settled on the warm granite edging and enjoy watching the birds bathing in the stream. There are other insects using the pond too, but only one tadpole has survived the newts so far.
The plants surrounding the pond have been a huge success and most overwintered to return stronger and more colourful than they were last year.