Pebble ponds

Inspire the kids to turn the screens off and get outside. Here’s how you can create your garden’s very own ecosystem using household items, and watch it flourish!

You will need:

• A watertight container eg. an old washing up bowl or a bucket. Is there anything ready to chuck away that can be upcycled? Aim for something 20-30cm deep

• Pond plants

• Old bricks, rocks, and pebbles

• A spade

• Rainwater

1. Choose your spot. The pond will be most effective somewhere it will receive sunlight and shade. Don’t choose somewhere the sun shines all day long.

2. Use your spade to dig a hole for your container to sit in, or you can sit it on top of the ground if you prefer.

3. If your pond container isn’t totally watertight (ie. a plantpot, a leaky bucket) line it with a pond liner - this can be picked up at your local garden centre.

4. Add your base. A good layer of gravel and rocks found in your own garden should do it: old bricks or little logs work well as ramps if you’ve decided not to bury your container in the ground.

5. Fill your pond. Make sure you are using rainwater as tap water contains chemicals - you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this during a Great British summer!

6. Get planting. You’ll only need a couple of plants to begin with. Froggy favourites include: miniature water lilies, starwort, lesser spearwort, hornwort and frogbit. Some of these plants cling to rocks and some simply float in the water; always check they will be suitable for your setup.

7. Wait for nature to arrive! Your garden’s wildlife will love their new habitat. You could even set up your own little camera to keep an eye on your pond’s activity.

   CAUTION: Don’t be tempted to remove fish, frogs, or wildlife from any other pond; doing so can spread disease and willnot be good for your new habitat’s ecosystem.