13 Dos and Don’ts to Creating a Pond That Animals Will Benefit From
By April Overall
Adding a pond to your backyard can be a stunning addition. It can even add property value to your home! But did you know that it can add value to wildlife too? It’s true! From frogs to birds, turtles to insects, a pond can offer a happy home or even a spot to stop and have a drink of water. But there are some things you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to building a pond with wildlife in mind.
For the Frogs
Do winterize your pond. Frogs hibernate in the winter and they’ll need a space of water that’s at least two metres deep in order to make it through the cold months. Young frogs (tadpoles) will use this deep water to grow into adulthood – a feat that can take over three years!
Do add an aerator. Aerators will keep the water moving and will stop your pond from freezing over in the winter.
Don’t leave your liner bare. When you’re building your pond, add soil to the top of your liner so frogs can dig into it when they overwinter.
Do plant grasses around your pond to encourage insects to visit. Insects are important snacks for frogs!
For the Birds
Do add levels to your pond. When you add a shallow spot, even seven centimetres in depth, you’ll offer an area for birds to drink and bathe.
Don’t mow near the pond. Please add a strip of grass at least one metre wide surrounding your pond for birds to hide from predators.
Do add a waterfall. Birds love moving water; if you add a waterfall to your pond, they’ll come in droves. It’ll even help them find your pond e
sier because they’ll hear the moving water!
For the Insects
Do add blooms! It’s no surprise that insects love flowers and other plants. By adding native plants by your pond, you’ll attract more insects to it. Larger insects like damselflies and dragonflies love to snack on small pollinators, so don’t be surprised if you see them zipping from your pond to your garden!
Do add some rocks! Adding a small pile of rocks to your pond will give flying insects like dragonflies a spot to rest. You might even notice a happy frog soaking up some sun on the rocks too!
For the Turtles
Do add a piece of driftwood. We can’t promise that you’ll see a freshwater turtle in your pond any time soon, but you’ll have a better chance of attracting turtles to your pond if you have a spot for them to bask. Plus! Adding a log to the pond can help to protect them from predators. How long should it be? About 60 centimetres is perfect.
Don’t forget plants! Turtles need to chow down too, you know. They love to eat cattails, lily pads and other grasses.
For the Unexpected Visitor
Not every animal that lands in your pond wants to be there. Some fall in by accident! Keep these critters in mind when you’re building your pond.
Do add a gradual slope to all sides of your pond so animals can climb out.
Do add a log or rocks to the deep end. If your pond has a deep end (which is truthfully really great for frogs), be sure to add a log or a pile of rocks to the area so that animals that have mistakenly fallen into the pond can climb out on their own.