Pond Ponderings – Whiskey Barrel Pond

13/06/2023

Ponds for small spaces by Jim Horsfall

I created a new ‘pond’ soon after I moved into a new house in 2013, not having much space I opted for a whiskey barrel to turn into a pond (the smell of whiskey was still apparent on brining it home). I put a few bricks in the bottom for things to hide amongst and to raise the plant pots closer the surface and planted a few plants. Finding plants that won’t dominate is difficult, so I pull a few bits out every year to make sure there is still open water. The stems of plants sticking out are also useful for the damselflies to hold onto as they shed their skin. I have to top the water up in summer, using water from my butt to avoid too many nutrients that can be in tap water.

Within a couple of couple years, I had Large Red Damselflies emerging (only a few each year, but I guess there isn’t enough prey for more) and even some smooth newts. I’d never seen either in my garden before making a pond. I like to see wildlife, so was really pleased to have a positive impact in my suburban garden. Although I don’t know what the damselfly larvae are feeding in the pond on it shows that there must be other things (fly larvae, snails etc) under the water too.