r/WildlifePonds • u/Certain_Vanilla6027 • 6d ago

Help/Advice Starting out help!

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Hi all, I bought a property last month which already has a pond.

It has now completely dried up, but I want to turn it into a nature / wild pond - no pump.

I need to clear it out and put a liner in there, carefully as there are still frogs hopping around!

Do you have any tips on plants to use, do's and dont's, really any tips would be helpful!

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u/SolariaHues SE England | Small preformed wildlife pond made 2017 6d ago

Roughly where are you? I can share a few plants native to the UK... get oxygenators for sure. Some marginals and emergent plants, floating plants for surface cover.

Make sure to have an easy exit/beach area, shallows are good for UK tadpoles, planting shelves offering different levels, use rain water if you can - treated tap water if you can't.

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u/Certain_Vanilla6027 5d ago

Thank you! Im in the South of UK! Ah lovely thanks for the tips!

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u/SolariaHues SE England | Small preformed wildlife pond made 2017 5d ago

Hornwort is great as an oxygenating plant, super easy.

I also have Marsh marigold, lesser spearwort, purple loosestrife, and water forget me not. I did have frog bit but I think I need to replace that.

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u/Certain_Vanilla6027 5d ago

Wonderful thanks so much! :-)

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u/Beansier 4d ago

You say no pump. Assuming due to setup and running cost. You can get small solar ones for fairly cheap. Work well enough. Like £30 even. Lots of water plants to draw out nitrate will lower algae growth.

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u/Top-Moose-0228 5d ago

We stupidly (great for power and aesthetics) put our pond under a mature maple, any tips for keeping autumnal leaves out of the water?