Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress is advising Brits on how to create a garden pond to encourage and help wildlife. Increasing biodiversity in the garden supports wildlife, offering a breadth of benefits for your garden. Not only is it great for the environment, but it can also help to keep pests at bay, and support healthy soil. Ponds help to maintain a stable balance of wildlife in the ecosystem, which prevents pests or any one species from becoming dominant.

Having water in your garden creates a place for wildlife to drink and feed from, and including varying depths can create habitat or a place for birds to bathe. It’s important to build a pond in a spot where there are equal parts sun and shade. Too much sun can encourage planktonic algae growth, whereas too little sunlight can prevent aquatic plants from growing.

A garden pond, although man-made, should mimic the natural shape and feel of a natural body of water.

Rugged, sloping edges help wildlife to access the pond and allow plants to grow around the edge, creating habitat and food for animals. 

When adding water to your pond, it’s best to use rainwater to prevent filling it with anything toxic, which could be harmful to wildlife. 

During the summer you may need to top up the pond. It's important to use rainwater at the same temperature to avoid shocking the ecosystem.

Including plants such as water lilies, lotus, water soldiers, and hornwort will help create a thriving habitat, provide food sources, and offer a breeding ground for wildlife. Water lilies will also attract pollinators into your garden.

Pollinators are important for our food chain. They transfer pollen between plants, encouraging the production of fruit and vegetables.

A wildlife-rich pond is rewarding and a great addition to any garden. It offers a peaceful space to enjoy while supporting the natural world around you.

Five steps to creating a garden pond where wildlife thrives

1. Choose your spot

Your pond should be situated in a spot that receives a balance of sunlight and shade. Constant sunlight can encourage algae growth, which blocks light, depletes oxygen levels, and disrupts the pond's natural ecosystem. On the other hand, too much shade can prevent sunlight from reaching the pond, which is essential for the photosynthesis of aquatic plants.

2. Dig and line

Next, it’s time to dig the pond out. When shaping your pond, aim to mimic nature’s rugged curves and bends instead of a man-made square shape. A natural shape will be far more attractive to wildlife.

Once the pond has been dug, line the hole with a watertight pond liner. This will help prevent water from seeping into the ground and ensure your pond retains its water.

3. Layer materials at the base

It's best to top the pond liner with a mix of rocks, sand, and logs to mimic the bottom of a naturally occurring pond. These materials will create depth and dimension, providing wildlife with a habitat and places to hide or nest, encouraging a thriving and diverse ecosystem.

4. Fill with rainwater

Once the base has been established, it’s time to fill up your pond. Make sure to use rainwater for this, as chemicals like chlorine found in tap or bottled water can be harmful to wildlife.

5. Add aquatic plants 

Once the pond is full, adding aquatic plants will help attract wildlife to your pond. Plants not only help to keep the water clear, but they also serve as a food source and shelter for animals. Over time, these plants will become an essential part of the habitat that wildlife relies on. Plants like water lilies will also attract pollinators into your garden.