I want one on my plot and would like one with a shallow area for the birds, hedgehogs etc so they don't drown. How do I achieve that, eg dig a hole but with a shallow bit at the front, or do I make one big ole and then fill it in to form the shallows. Might seem obvious to yous lot but I aint got a clue (surprise surprise )

We dug ours leaving a shallow bit at one end. Birds cannot use it though cos with it being on the lottie, it has a metal grill over it. The shallow bit is to help the frogs and toads.

Google for it - there's loads of info out there.

I made a really shallow pond way back when I could bend, and have pond skaters, damselflies, a couple of waterlilies (dwarf ones) and an iris pseudocorus in it. And it's only a yard by half a yard by a foot deep. Only thing I don't like is that it attracts wood pigeons, darn them!

The big sites all say you need at least several feet deep - rubbish! Harder work and expensive to line. But even shallow ones cost if you use butyl liner. Alternatively, bury a water tank after putting a brick stairway in it to allow things to crawl out.

moonbells

I was at the aquatic shop last week ... they have some very small 'ponds' with a 12" surround that makes a great bog garden entrance to the deeper water (only about 18" across) ... just need some ssstones to cover up the plastic and a large hole in the gound!

Rather liked this idea as the water would not evaporate quite so quick ... £25 all in not bad aI thought!

I dug mine with a shallow bit Wards, seems too much like hard work to dig a deep hole then fill it in again

MB that's a fabbo idea. Glad I asked you lot I have a black water tank as it happens. It's an overflow tank from the water butts. I had thought of that but not thought to put brick stairs in it. I fancied some shallows though so the hedgehogs etc to use (not that I've ever seen on hedgehog on the plot though)

I got a piece of freebie butyl from Alplas when I bought some sheet mulch but I don't think it's very big. I might have a go at it today now that me brassicas are in

Googled some pics MB and I like them all. The only thing is the digging bit which is putting me off. I could raise it instead so the frogs have to climb up

I found a frog hibernating in a water-filled window box last March. (I use WBs to put pots of overwintering things in, so they need a waterproof "tray": this one got left outside and so hello, frog.)

I just popped a broken roof tile in it to make a ramp so it could hop out if it wanted, and hide underneath if it wanted protection. Bricks might be a bit steep for hedgehogs, so see if you can source some ramps out of plastic or similar. Depends how deep it is, too. But you can always add bricks to make it shallower!

(Course a very large plastic window box also does nicely as a linear pond!!)

moonbells

ta MB Never seen a frog or toad on my plot so bout time I got my finger out to make a pond. Thanks for the tips folks

when you think about it all the frogs and toads must be fat as butter by now !!!

How you getting on with it, Wards? If it's not too late, there's lots more useful info. on the Beeb:

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thanks for that Juliet - I just checked it out. Still umming and aahing about where to site it

Well Operation Pond is off the ground Following Tara's instructions it's nearly done. The liner I was given is far too small to off to get another one today. The pond is a tad lop sided so going to have to balance things up before I put the water in. I can see the pond getting bigger and bigger as I slice off just a bit more then another

Can't do pics cos me camera's acting daft

Hope it brings the frogs and toads in Wards

Hoping to get some grasses etc for round the pond. Put a few bits round but it looks empty.

Got the pics in the camera but can't download them

aint you got that working yet

nope It worked on my son's pc once but we just tried it again and it failed so I've sent him into town to get a new USB cable, the new batteries didn't make any difference either. If the cable doesn't make any difference I think the camera will be the problem.

By the time I get the camera fixed the pond will have matured nicely Cadged a flag iris today and am off to plant it now. The pigeons have been round the pond and knocked the big cobbles into it

Typical innit! Ordered a new cable and me camera worked fine today So downloaded the old pics

Here is my new little pond. Not finished yet as loads more plants to go in. Fancy more grasses and some plants with big leaves. Couldn't afford any m more of those cobbles but hey ho

I know it's little but the butyl was free so I cut me coat according to me cloth as the old saying goes

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Wow that's a beauty Now u need some oxig oxegi.... err plants that make it breathe

that looks lovely wards....and by next spring it will look even better

i've cadged some oxy thing from a mate. Just need to get it in there. I hate how bare it looks but won't be for long No wildlife in it yet cept for a clumsy cat

Looks great Wards One of my cats came home with her back half soaking wet and blanket weed in her tail the other week

Once the plants grow it should be harder for things to stumble in but at the mo it's a bit exposed which is a bit of a worry. My old man says he'll put me a light in it

Looking good there Wards

Looks great Wardy and will be be part of the landscape quite quickly with planting and the grass growing back...nice one!

it's attracted a variety of caustic remarks from the old guys They might be glad of my wildlife pond when it comes down to environmental matters saving the lotties. Could be my pond that clinches it I shall report that it contains rare newts and is the watering hole for the lesser spotted corncrake