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WildWater Pond Calendar
Find when the best time to spot your favourite pond visitors or to carry out pond maintenance
Start thinking about any changes or upgrades now so you don't disturb the pond once spawning begins (which can be as soon as February)
Frogs and toads may start emerging, time to get excited. Have a good root round for any looming algae and blanketweed as this will start to multiply once the temps pick up next month.
Try not to be tempted into tidying around the pond perimeter just yet as some wildlife may still be hunkered down. Hopefully you see some spawn action!
Now is a good time to apply a beneficial bacteria product to boost the ponds biological system into action - we do this on our first maintenance service of the year which run throughout Feb/March.
Any new planting could be considered soon as you start to see most of the planting appear in the pond. We typically start supplying from May but have some bits ready to go now too.
The newts should be courting now, keep your eyes peeled for the male doing his dance!
Spring is in full flow. Insects life will be picking up with the temps. Expect to see birds bathing and the dart of a damselfly, amongst other things. Sit back and enjoy.
Harry's favourite, the dragonfly, will be emerging on your taller plants as it leaves its young nymph stage of the past 2 years to become the flying master. Enjoy the spectacle for the summer.
Swifts and swallows may be picking off midges in the evening hours, another spectacule!
Light planting maintenance could be completed where necessary.
Dead heading leaves on water lilies will reduce the amount of seasonal decay, which will contribute to nutrient fluxes and algae blooms.
Baby amphibs might be on the move so air on caution if mowing, perhaps start a long grass buffer zone to give them extra protection from predators?
The height of summer and hot temps might lower oxygen levels, which can be root cause for poor pond performance. You could consider an aeration pump for a safe introduction of air into the water body.
Expect to see all manner of wildlife visit, from bees to birds, for a drink and a bathe.
The wind down begins. If your pond is close to trees now is the time to plan for netting. We do custom installations with stainless steel suspension cords to ensure an effective job at keeping debris out of the pond.
Wildlife will still be active, most amphibs (new and old) will have migrated to the garden now so be cautious and considerate when tidying.
You may be tempted to cut and tidy the pond, and that is fine. Just stick to soft plants for now and anything that decays into the pond.
Taller and more rigid plants, such as rushes and sedges, can stand tall through the winter and provide extra shelter and structure.
If you netted the pond this could now be removed as the final leaves fall.
Thinking of extra winter habitat now for your pond residents would be greatly appreciated. Log piles with cuttings or soil on top, or anything else you may have to work with!
Have a fish around for any debris that did get into the pond during the autumn season. Doing so now avoids excess decay and sludge accumulation through the winter months as you take your eye off the garden for some much earned rest..
FAQs
We started with wildlife ponds, the name gives that away, but nature doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. Over the years, we’ve expanded into creating entire wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows, and native hedging. Essentially, if it’s about putting wild spaces back into British gardens, that’s when we’re in our element.
It’s the central heart of everything. Frogs, birds, and insects all gravitate toward water because it offers the life they need. In terms of organic gardening, a pond is your best friend, it brings in the natural predators and biodiversity that keep a garden healthy. It’s a feeding ground, a spawning ground, and a drinking hole; it ticks every box nature has.
Location is everything. You don't want it too sunny or too shady, too hot or too cold. We also have to look at what’s overhead, trees are lovely, but managing the "autumn fallout" of leaves is a big factor in keeping nutrient levels balanced. A "pilot dig" first can be a good idea; we once started a pond only to find a buried Anderson Shelter underneath!