Water Features

How to Create a Wildlife Pond

A beautiful wildlife pond will attract a whole host of beneficial animals, birds and insects. Make one with sloping sides, to allow easy access for creatures to come and go, and leafy edges that offer habitat and cover.

Excerpted from How to Grow Practically Everything
Filed under: Ponds, How To, Foliage Plants

Line the Base

Smooth the edges, and remove large or sharp stones from the sides and base. Line the pond with old carpet or a special pond underlay. Do not use sand because it falls away from the sides and will fill up the hole.

Using Old Carpet or Underlay to Line a Pond

Line With Butyl

Center the liner over the hole and push it down in the middle, allowing pleats to form against the sides and base. Fill the deepest part with water; the weight will pull the liner into place.

Fill With Water

Fold the liner in neat pleats over the shelf and top edges, and check that it's bedded into the bottom of the pond. Top up with more water, which will force the liner against the shelf and sides.