Creating a mini wildlife pond is one of the best ways to attract beneficial insects, frogs, and birds to your garden while adding a beautiful, natural water feature. I built my own mini pond 1.5 years ago, and over time, I’ve observed how it has evolved, what worked well, and what I would do differently.
When I decided to add a wildlife pond to my garden, I knew it would be fun to watch it develop, but it has really blown all expectations.
In this post, I want to give a full update on the mini wildlife pond and share everything I have learnt so far. Including plants, keeping the pond clean, fish, tadpoles, and frogs. What has worked, what hasn’t, and even a few things that were a little shocking…
If you have been thinking about creating a wildlife pond in your garden, this post will be perfect for you.
Mini Wildlife Pond update – click to watch or continue reading
Why Build a Mini Wildlife Pond?
A small pond can provide a water source for wildlife, improve biodiversity, and even help control pests naturally. Whether you have a large garden or a small space, a mini pond can make a big impact. The wildlife pond has become the heart of my gardens, with bees, lizards, flies, and wasps all frequenting the post daily. It also provides so much joy as it is located outside my office window. It has been my favorite addition to the garden so far!
You can read more about my first steps here.
How I Built My Mini Pond
Choosing the Location – I picked a location that gets morning sunlight to protect it from the hot afternoon sun. It is outside my office window to be able to enjoy it. It is in my front yard, away from my dog, who would happily use it as his own personal pool. It is also located in an existing garden bed to act as a wildlife corridor to give more protection and access without the wildlife being out in the open to predators. It is important to have a water source nearby to fill up your pond when it gets low.
Selecting a Pond Liner – I used a preformed pond 1m x 1m and about 30cm deep. I found this secondhand off marketplace for free! I love how quick and easy it was to install. Just dig a hole the right size and slot it in.
Filling up the Pond – I filled up the pond using my hose and scheme water. Rainwater would be ideal, but we don’t get a lot of rain here in Perth, Australia.. After filling up the pond, I let it sit for a few weeks before adding any fish. This allowed it time to off gas any chlorine. Before I filled the pond, I pulled back some of the soil around the sides of the pond then, as it started filling up, I pushed the soil back against the edges. This helped keep the edges straight.
Adding Plants and Natural Elements – Firstly, I added rocks around the edge of the pond and then found a stick to go over the middle of the pond. I added old bricks in the pond to act as plant stands to raise potted plants up so they were not completely submerged in the water. The plants I added to the pond were: Lebanese Cress, Chocolate Mint, Fairy Lights, Blue Grass, Gotu Kola, and Water Ribbons. I then added more herbs and edible flowers around the garden bed surrounding the pond. Adding different heights and textures will attract a wider variety of wildlife.
Introducing Water & Wildlife – Over time, the pond will naturally attract insects, birds, and frogs. I did add two types of fish ~ Gold White Cloud Mountain Minnows and West Australian Pygmy Perch Fish. The Perch sadly did not make it with sudden and dramatic spikes and dips in temperature during the first few months. The minnows have thrived and are very hardy and self-sufficient. They also had babies, and my original x3 fish turned into x12! Be selective of what fish to introduce, as Goldfish will eat frogs eggs, so they not a good option if you are hoping for frogs.
Click below to watch my Pond build step by step (or read here)
1.5-Year Update: What I’ve Learned so far
Algae thrives in Sunlight
Algae started to become an issue when the pond heated up in the sun, but adding more floating plants like water lilies helped provide shade and balance the ecosystem. I would go out every few weeks and scoop up any excess algae and place it in the garden for fertiliser. Once the Tadpoles arrived, they ate all the pond algae and kept the pond sparkling clean!
Wildlife Came Quicker Than Expected
Within weeks, I noticed dragonflies, bees, and lizards visiting the pond, showing how effective even a small wildlife pond can be.
Some Plants Will Leave the Pond…
Some plants are vigorous growers and will thrive both in and out of the pond. The Chocolate mint and Gotu Kola were the first to attach themselves to the garden bed and start growing. If you have a small pond it could be a good idea to keep these pruned back. In a larger pond, you could place them away from the edges to keep them contained.
Topping Up Water Is Necessary
In hot weather, water levels dropped as I expected. Using rainwater instead of tap water would be ideal, but I only have a hose with tap water nearby. I topped up my pond in small amounts often to keep the balance right. Having more plants shading the pond helped keep the water from heating up.
Nature does Nature
I was quite shocked to learn that when Tadpoles are starting to transition into frogs and just have a tail left, they can eat other small tadpoles. This was not a pleasant thing to see but I try to just let nature do nature.
Tips for a Healthy Mini Wildlife Pond
- Use a mix of submerged, floating, and marginal plants to support biodiversity.
- Be selective of what fish you introduce if you want to attract frogs and insects.
- Provide shallow edges for easy access to small creatures.
- Regularly remove excess leaves and algae to maintain water clarity.
- Incorporate different textures of leaves and heights to attract a diverse range of wildlife
- Small solar fountains work great in direct sunlight (no clouds); otherwise, opt for a powered one. Having a wide range of plant roots in the pond helps to keep it filtered and clean without a filter or fountain.
Mini Wildlife Pond Success!
Building a mini wildlife pond has been one of the most rewarding additions to my garden. Watching wildlife thrive in a space I created has been a joy, and I’ve learned so much about maintaining a natural pond. If you’re thinking of adding one to your garden, go for it!
Have you built a wildlife pond? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Happy Gardening
Holly 🌿
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