Creating Natural Ponds Helps The Environment

Natural ponds have lots of life. Natural ponds are some of the most important aspects of the conservation of our wildlife, both animal and plant. All types of species are drawn to them from dragonflies and pond skaters, to frogs, turtles and sometimes even the chance of a fox. Wild ponds are disappearing at a truly alarming rate and as they disappear forever they are taking the animals and plants that depend on them for their survival with them. Animals must seek out other watering holes that may not be safe for them.

These watering holes may be sewage ditches or chemical dumps. The animals drink from these contaminated sources and end up poisoned. There are also 1000's of pond life killed instantly when their pond is filled in to make way for a new road or building because its "uneconomical" to go round the pond or build a bridge over it.

Pond keepers have discovered that this shortage has increased the amount of wildlife that visit their ponds and many have adapted old ponds or built new ones to mimic a natural pond to encourage the wildlife even more. These mini eco systems have proved a hit not only with the wildlife but with the pond keepers as well. They provide lots of interest and bring tranquility to a garden.

The Design And Maintenance

Even a small natural pond will be valuable to wildlife but you should build as large as you can. If possible it should be sited in a spot that receives plenty of sun but also has some shade. It should have a sloping bottom so their are variations in depth and it should be irregular in shape. You should protect the pond liner with a good layer of sand both under it and on the top. You can fill your pond with tap water as it will soon clear naturally. Plants will soon start to grow but remove weeds. The pond should be 70% clear.

You wil have to clean the pond occasionally by removing weeds, unwanted plants and any leaves that have found there way in. Don't do any weeding in the first few months of the year as this is breeding time for invertebrates and amphibians and there eggs will be on the weeds. Its good practice when removing plants and leaves to leave them by the pond for a while so that any small pond life that you have inadvertently plucked from home can make their way back to sanctuary.

The plants you use in natural ponds should be local to your habitat. This will ensure new growth and eliminate your frustration if everything you plant is dying. The important thing is to try and make your pond look and act as natural as possible. Don't add fountains, ornamental statuary or other man made objects to your pond or the naturalness will be removed. Many animals would be frightened off by these small structures sticking up in the middle of a pond. Being eco-friendly and environmentally responsible will help you maintain a beautiful and wonderful natural pond that will attract wildlife to your garden in abundance.

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Kipp Flynn has been building ponds all his life. He was using terms like eco friendly long before they became popular. Click to learn more about natural ponds or here for general build a pond information
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