Colin Higgins gave us a very informative talk on Garden Ponds and Water Features. UK ponds are in decline. 70% have been lost. (500,000 in one hundred years). There has been a 24.6 mile increase in the average distance between natural ponds. 80% remain in a poor state, polluted by sewage and human waste. They are under threat from exotic species of Flora and Fauna.
Colin covered what a pond is: A body of water that must hold one square metre of water for at least four months.
The importance of ponds:
- They support more species than any other freshwater habitat. (8,368 is the current number).
- They are nature’s corridors.
- They are an early warning system of pollution.
- They help to moderate temperatures. (Absorb heat by day and release it at night).
- They can capture 79 to 247 grams of carbon per square metre per year, compared to a woodland capturing 2 to 5 grams of carbon per square metre per year.
We were shown slides of ponds in lawns, landscaped with rocks and with waterfalls. A sleeper pond can be made with 3x 8ft sleepers with rocks at the open end. Repurposing containers (e.g. a Belfast sink or an old bathtub) is a good way to introduce a pond to your garden. Always think about the position of a pond in the garden. (It shouldn’t be in full sun all day. Best to get a little sun in the morning).
When planting we were advised to dig a trench for the plants around the edge of the pond and fill with pebbles in the gaps after planting.
- Plants for deep water: Lillies and Water Hawthorn.
- Oxygenators: Hornwort and Water Crows Foot.
- Marginal plants: Yellow Flag Iris, Bog Bean, Water Mint, Marsh Marigold, Cuckoo Flower, Ragged Robin, Purple Loosestrife.
- Use Pea Gravel, not compost when planting.
- Aim for 50 to 75% of the surface to be covered with planting.
- It is ok to use tap water to fill the pond initially.
A pond will attract many species of wildlife. It’s important to attract a food chain. Common Frog, Toad, Newt, Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Aquatic Snails, Aquatic Moths and Hoverflies.
We were encouraged to report what wildlife we see in our garden to Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Centre (WSBRC).
Colin had brought along bird boxes to purchase and bulbs of pollinator flowers as well as cards with photos of wildlife.
The next meeting will be on Thursday November 5th. Garry Mumford, head gardener from Avebury Manor, will be giving us an insight into this National Trust Property. Visitors are always warmly welcomed at our meetings. Meetings are held on the first Thursday in the month; doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start in the Parish Hall.
Jacky Hiscock