Allotments 4 All
Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Georgie on January 25, 2009, 15:46:11
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Today I found a nice, round poly resin container to replace the tiny water feature the tadpoles lived in last year. It's 44cm in diameter and 10 cm deep. I'll sink it in the soil and add rocks and pebbles to allow easy access and a bit of pond weed too. But as it's much bigger than the previous 'pond' I was wondering if I could also add a couple of water plants. If so, what would you recommend that would afford a bit of shade but not totally take over? Thanks in advance.
G x
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there are some nice miniature waterlilies about? ;)
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Oooh that sounds lovely. Do you have a botanical name?
G x
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Georgie I've just acquired a large green plastic dustbin lid, about 50cm diameter, 4cm deep at the edge and 8cm in the middle, which I'm going to use as a pond on the plot so I'll be interested in what plants you use.
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Georgie I've just acquired a large green plastic dustbin lid, about 50cm diameter, 4cm deep at the edge and 8cm in the middle, which I'm going to use as a pond on the plot so I'll be interested in what plants you use.
Exciting isn't it? I like the idea of a dwarf waterlily and I'd also like something like a mini bullrush. The thing is I know nothing about aquatic plants so I hope someone who does comes along soon. :)
G x
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A dwarf waterlily usually requires 6" (15cm) of water from the crown of the plant to the surface, bearing in mind the lily will be planted in a container it is very unlikely a waterlily would be happy or could survive the winter.
It would be better to concentrate on marginals floating plants & bog plants.
Take a look at these sites for a bit of inspiration.
http://www.wetlandplants.co.uk/acatalog/index.html
http://www.bromfieldaquatics.co.uk/store/erol.html
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Thank you so much, Baccy Man, I had no idea there was such a choice. Will have a good browse later but can't help noticing that there is a dwarf 'bullrush'. ;D
G x
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my thanks, too, baccyman, our 'bath' pond is finished now, just need some plants, off to look at te links ;D
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I'm waiting for permission for my flexitrug pond I'm planning for the allotment. It had to go before the Town council amenities committee.
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Marsh marigolds flower very reliably and beautifully in the margins of my pond.
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Taken this afternoon, as you can see, the recent frost hasn't killed the watercress!![attachment=1] ;)
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I like those Marsh Marigolds. Will add them to the list. :)
G x
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So apparently my application for the flexitrug pond c.18" diameter by 18" deep (though it won't be because the planting baskets make it shallower!) has been approved. I know this because members of the public are allowed to sit in on the meetings and a fellow allotmenter happened to be there. He said they approved it and then one of the councillors piped up with it needs a fence to stop toddlers falling in so apparently I'm going to get told to fence it!!! ???
There are quite a few larger ponds and the water troughs that are our water supply bigger and deeper then my 'bucket'! None of them fenced???!!! If i leave a trug sitting out in the rain and it fills with water will I have to fence it?
How many people let their toddlers wander around allotments unsupervised? Allotments are dangerous anyway to small children. Mine is nearly completely fenced so maybe a complete fence would constitute a fenced pond.
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I like those Marsh Marigolds. Will add them to the list. :)
G x
Here's a pic, Georgie
[attachment=1]
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Beautiful, Hopalong. :)
G x
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I started work on the pond today. Now all I need is the plants. :)
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P1310006.jpg)
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Add some water from an established pond,that will get it going quicker. :)
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Add some water from an established pond,that will get it going quicker. :)
If you'd read my blog you'd know I've already done that. ;) ;D
G x
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Sorry Miss.
Read your blog now Miss. ;D
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I started work on the pond today. Now all I need is the plants. :)
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P1310006.jpg)
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Looking good G :)
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Looking good, Georgie. The frogs will love it. On second thoughts, perhaps Marsh Marigolds will be a bit big for it? I suppose you can keep thinning and dividing them though.
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Looking good, Georgie. The frogs will love it. On second thoughts, perhaps Marsh Marigolds will be a bit big for it? I suppose you can keep thinning and dividing them though.
Oh I hope not, I'm rather taken by those Marsh Marigolds. I'll be popping to Wild Woods (at least I think that's what it's called) in Crews Hill soon to take a look at their plants. There's also that place near Capel Manor on the A10 too. I'll let you know what I get. :)
G x
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just ordered a couple of yellow flag iris to place in the wet bit near our pond ;D
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just ordered a couple of yellow flag iris to place in the wet bit near our pond ;D
Good idea, Manics, I love Irises. :)
Can't see much of my pond today. ;)
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Garden%20Feb%2009/Pond.jpg)
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I've done a bit of research today and have come up with a list of five possible native plants as follows:
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
Watermint (Mentha aquatica)
Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides)
I'm assuming I can only have two plants in such a limited space so I'd welcome your thoughts on which two to choose and why. :)
G x
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marsh marigolds are very good cover for frogs and newts, mine get very full and i think there is a waiting list to get in when its in full growth ;), but i do find that its very prone to downy mildew but when it starts to get over run i trim all the foliage down to its base and i get another flourish with no mildew
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marsh marigolds are very good cover for frogs and newts, mine get very full and i think there is a waiting list to get in when its in full growth ;), but i do find that its very prone to downy mildew but when it starts to get over run i trim all the foliage down to its base and i get another flourish with no mildew
Thanks for that tip, Dave. I thought powdery mildew was caused by roots being too dry? Must have got that wrong then! ???
G x
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I think that I'd go for Marsh Marigolds growing beside the pond and Brooklime in it.
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I'd go for a marginal plant and a floater, Georgie. Although I began to have second thoughts after suggesting it originally, because it can get big, Marsh Marigold looks great and you can keep it in check by trimming (and get rid of the mildew which, like Dave, I also have on mine). `Stratoides aloides (water soldier) is good fun: it sinks in the winter and floats in the summer and has babies like a spider plant, on the end of stalks.
If I had a third choice it would be Orontium aquaticum (Golden Club). I haven't got any in my own pond but it looks stunning with its candle-like flowers in spring and blue-green leaves later. However, I gather it does not flower well in shallow water, so maybe it's not for you.
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Hi Georgie,
My little pond is only 8 months old so I'm new to this too, but have you got anything tall and thin ie reed like in that list. I have a relative of horsetail which gets to about knee high ( were I walking on water) and is in there to give nymphs something to crawl up when they are ready to turn into flying things - my notes are in the shed and it's freezing over out there.....
It doesn't take up any space but looks good and encourages more wildlife.
Cheers
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Thanks for all your help so far folks. :)
Froglets, I'd love a reed like thing but haven't found anything native that's suitable for such a small pond (yet). I reckon I could only go to a height of about 45cm without it looking silly. I don't know how tall you are (ie what knee height is) but when it warms up a bit and you can retrieve your notes I'd be interested in the name of your plant. ;D
G x
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Could you raise your small pond onto a plinth of some kind?
Then do planting surrounding the plinth so the plants come up to same level or taller.?
Discuss?? LOL
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Could you raise your small pond onto a plinth of some kind?
Then do planting surrounding the plinth so the plants come up to same level or taller.?
Discuss?? LOL
ROFL ;D
G x
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I love the idea of a little water feature at the lotty. I've got a big green plastic plant pot that i bought a few years ago & never used it or I could buy a new trug. What would you suggest I use to make sure hedgehogs if there are any don't drown. We disturbed a ouple of toads recently so would like encourage them to stay with us.
Janet.
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I googled 'can hedgehogs swim' and it came up with the following:
'Hedgehogs can swim very well, but if they cannot escape from a pond they will become exhausted and drown. Make sure that any hedgehog can get out of a pond by making a bank with a gentle slope; or a piece of chicken wire, secured well on the bank can serve as a ladder for them to climb out.
Check ponds daily.'
Hope this helps. :)
G x
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Thanks Georgie. That does help.
Janet.
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Tonybloke--just love that stone creature in your lovely pond. Did you create that yourself? It is a great feature--looks like the 'Green Man' plaques at Green Ginger--do you know that place/product line? I really like that image you've posted.
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The 'water god' is a sculpture by my O.H., water trickles from the mouth during the summer (via pump) it looks wierd with the occasional tadpole coming through!!there are a healthy population of sticklebacks and frogs in there, it( the pond) is glassfibre, 3 ft deep, and just outside the backdoor, the frogs croaking at breeding season is excellent, ('cos I have a deep voice, they respond to me talking!) ;)
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I've got my list down to four plants now as follows:
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides)
Bulrush (Typha minima)
So imagine my disappointment when I went to two water garden specialists today only to find neither had many plants at all. :( I'm assuming the plants are 'seasonal' and will become available next month?
And one other question if I may. I'm know the marginals will need to be grown in those special baskets but do the floaters do that, just float?
G x
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Most marginals are usually available from March floaters from April/May all are usually available until September.
Yes the floaters do just float on the surface of the water.
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Most marginals are usually available from March floaters from April/May all are usually available until September.
Yes the floaters do just float on the surface of the water.
Many thanks. :)
G x
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I love the idea of a little water feature at the lotty. I've got a big green plastic plant pot that i bought a few years ago & never used it or I could buy a new trug. What would you suggest I use to make sure hedgehogs if there are any don't drown. We disturbed a ouple of toads recently so would like encourage them to stay with us.
Janet.
You might as well use the big plastic plant pot as you already have it. I'm using a plastic trug for mine I already have a pond at home made of a wooden 1/2 barrel which works really well. The only problem with the plant pot might be that it would have sloping sides making it harder to use planting baskets.
I use a large semicicular planting basket filled with soil topped with gravel as a 'shelf' which I then put another planing basket on top to plant up this gets the plants up to the right water level and also provides a shallow area for frogs. I leave the rim a few inches out of the ground to stop small animals accidentally walking in, this works at home but I have put my allotment one in yet as I have to fence it first!
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I've got my list down to four plants now as follows:
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides)
Bulrush (Typha minima)
So imagine my disappointment when I went to two water garden specialists today only to find neither had many plants at all...
G x
...but they had the marginals in yesterday and here they are. Marsh Marigold in the foreground, the other two in the pond. Doesn't look like I'm going to have room for the floater, sadly. :-\
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P3220007.jpg)
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Looking good Georgie.
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aah, what a tiddly little pond! i love it, looking lovely Georgie :)
Rosie xx
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Hi Georgie,
My ornamental equisetum turns out to be equisetum japonicum, so no use to you. Can't see what the bullrush is but probably too big for your pond. Never mind, looks like you are getting on just fine with the plants you do want. My march marigold is in flower & my pond doesn't get any sun yet!
Cheers
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Thanks Lorna and Weed-Digga.
Froglets, I got the minature Bulrush (Typha minima) and although you can't really see it there are buds on the Marsh Marigold. Obviously it'll look a lot better once the plants start to spread and cover up the gravel - well hopefully!
G x
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I thought I'd post an update. The plants are growing really well and I have lovely fat tadpoles. ;D
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P4250037.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P5110009.jpg)
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wow :o your macro shot is awesome!!
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wow :o your macro shot is awesome!!
Thanks ;D
G x
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I just finished my allotment 'trug' pond yesterday. it won't look that good (as yours...I mean) for awhile. Just realised i've forgotten the oxygenating weed!
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I just finished my allotment 'trug' pond yesterday. it won't look that good (as yours...I mean) for awhile. Just realised i've forgotten the oxygenating weed!
Hi Kea, I hope you will post a picture soon. I get my pond weed from the local pet shop - a good sized bunch for £1.50 and it lasts for ages. :)
G x
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I am so excited. The tapoles have back legs! ;D
G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P6070032.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Wildlife/P6070029.jpg)
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Lucky you, that's great! xx
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Want to have a pond, this post is invaluable --- thanks peeps,
Thought I would do a 3 tiered effort, not showing off but will find the room ! ::)
Deep ' round ' for the plants and eco system, have hovering storks from the nearby
lakes ! so no fish, second for frogs and more plants, and third for the hedgehogs
and birds to drink and bathe, more shallow wallow than pond. ::)
-- will be logging on again for more advice,
floss xxx
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:) lovely Georgie/ shades x
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Thanks folks but the pics are hard to see here really. I'll put something on my blog so you can zoom in. :)
G x
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Bad news I'm afraid. I found one of the froglets floating upside down and quite dead yesterday. :( I've done a bit of research and it was not due to being unable to get out of the pond, dehydration, attack from something else or any obvious illness as far as I can see. Feel quite sad. :'(
G x
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Bad news I'm afraid. I found one of the froglets floating upside down and quite dead yesterday. :( I've done a bit of research and it was not due to being unable to get out of the pond, dehydration, attack from something else or any obvious illness as far as I can see. Feel quite sad. :'(
G x
That's a great shame Georgie. Maybe a cat or a bird got it? They need a good escape route and some shelter - e.g. logs - to hide in if necessary :'(
Hope the plants are flourishing. My first water lily of the season is flowering - very exciting. :)
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Hi Hopalong
The pond has a gentle slope of pebbles to get out and is adjacent to the log pile, some large stones and any number of plants for shelter. I don't think is was a cat or bird as there were no visible signs of attack. I'm wondering if the water temperature might have something to do with it as it has been very warm recently?
Plants are fine, thanks, but I envy you your water lily.
G x
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Hi Hopalong
The pond has a gentle slope of pebbles to get out and is adjacent to the log pile, some large stones and any number of plants for shelter. I don't think is was a cat or bird as there were no visible signs of attack. I'm wondering if the water temperature might have something to do with it as it has been very warm recently?
Plants are fine, thanks, but I envy you your water lily.
G x
i think you might be right about the water temp. my two mini ponds are made from old kids plastic sand pits and my froglets arrived just as the temps started to climb and the water level was only half full, the pond that gets the least amount of shade started to produce dead froglets and i also thought they may have been overheating so i topped up the water level and i haven't seen any dead ones since.
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Can I ask what water you used to top up the ponds. Was it rain water, boiled tap water or straight tap water?
G x
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Georgie i would normally use rain water to top up my ponds but my butts are nearly dry and i have to hold back a few buckets to water my acid loving plants i have in pots. my neighbour always tops up with tap water so i followed suit but i really do prefer rain water.
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Georgie i would normally use rain water to top up my ponds but my butts are nearly dry and i have to hold back a few buckets to water my acid loving plants i have in pots. my neighbour always tops up with tap water so i followed suit but i really do prefer rain water.
Now that's really interesting. I was in the same boat as you (no rain water) so I also used tap water. I think that might be to blame. Hopefully an expert will be along soon to give their opinion.
G x
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oh dear first shallots hit in me in july and i'm stuck in place of rehabilitation. no place for allotments for a while.......
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oh dear first shallots hit in me in july and i'm stuck in place of rehabilitation. no place for allotments for a while.......
get well soon hopalong :)
G x