How to build a SMALL wildlife pond - Step-by-step guide

Wildlife ponds can attract a wide range of beneficial creatures to your garden, no matter how small your space is. In this video I show you how to build your own small wildlife pond from start to finish, including tips on where you should build a wildlife pond, how deep the wildlife pond needs to be and how to keep your pond watertight. A wildlife pond will attract frogs, toads, birds, insects and more into your outdoor space helping to create a natural balanced ecosystem. This beneficial wildlife will help manage the populations of problematic pests such a slug, snails and aphids in your putdoor space.
Some topics that are covered in this DIY step-by-step wildlife pond project are:
Where you should position a wildlife pond?
Wildlife ponds ideally need to be created somewhere that benefits from partial shade as this will help prevent issues with algae growth. However, take care not to position your wildlife pond beneath deciduous trees as they can fill your pond up with leaves in autumn. A spot that warms well in spring would be ideal as this will make the pond attractive to frogs and toads looking for a safe spot to spawn, which will mean you get to enjoy the transformation of tadpoles in to tiny amphibians!
How deep does a wildlife pond need to be?
The more varying depths you can create in your wildlife pond the greater the range of habitats you will be creating. As a general rule we would recommend that you create a gradual slope into the pond that enables wildlife to easily get in and out. For a small wildlife pond you need to aim to have the deepest water be around 2 feet (60cm) deep.
How to I keep the pond watertight?
Wildlife ponds can be made watertight naturally using clay lining, but many modern ponds are created using pond liner as an affordable and instant option. Pre-formed plastic ponds are also available but don't always feature a gentle sloped edge for wildlife so you would need to add an additional ramp or branch to help wild-life in and out.
What plants should I use in my wildlife pond?
Wildlife ponds should include an array of plants both in and around the waters edge. In this video we plant up the area around the ponds edge with ferns and grass-like perennials that will provide a safe refuge for any wildlife that makes our new wildlife pond a home. In the near future we will be adding aquatic plants to the pond, and these come in many forms. Wildlife ponds benefit from have many marginal aquatic plants, that's plants that grow well in shallow water. Floating plants also help create shelter for wildlife and a spot for thirsty insects to sit and drink. If your pond is deep enough you would add waterlilies that will produce large pad-shaped leaves and beautiful flowers in summer.
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[@jennifergreene8891]

Hi Craig 👋 I LOVE that!! Looks FANTASTIC!! I have always wanted one but, I felt I couldn't in my small yard and I actually thought it would be much harder to create (needing to buy one of those big hard plastic pond inserts and the huge hole that would be needed to place it in etc.) This is much simpler and just as beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Your Texas Gulf Coast fan

[@johnk2979]

Thanks for this, I have a small garden up on the north east coast of UK and your videos are helping me start a semi tropical looking garden. This pond idea will definitely be going in this week, thanks fella.

[@jamesdewar-mills1105]

Exactly what I'm going to build this summer, except in full sun

[@irismoles9369]

That’s looking great Craig

[@janinewoodbridge3814]

Looks good Craig

[@bamboo782]

Very nice Craig very easy to do hope more people do it .great of wildlife thanks again for video Craig.

[@mexi7290]

Craig I'm giving this a go now...how do you stop it going brown and murky...i have put a couple of plants in mine but don't seem to be helping...cant beat a natural looking water feature / pond

[@GlasshouseandGarden]

05:38 I do too... and I thought I was alone! I have a load of sandstone slabs from an old 1920s patio at my parents' house that 'one day will be useful'! Your pond looks smashing and so effective, especially with the planting done - looking forward to seeing it establishing over the summer. I have a large black tub (roughly 24"x24") that I frequently consider sinking into the ground and using as a pond... would this be suitable? I know it will need some kind of shelf or ladder to help wildlife get out.

[@cholistaklinksick6871]

What size pump did you have?