|
|
Post by Ron on Feb 11, 2012 6:57:00 GMT
My stepfather kept a few fish in the garden pond. I now have the house to myself and am not planning to keep the fish, that's if they survive the winter ice. I would like wildlife to move in, particularly dragonflies. Can I just leave it to nature, or is it better to try to provide a habitat? There are a few plants in there but I'm not sure what they are.
|
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on Feb 11, 2012 7:42:48 GMT
I saw on TV a few days ago fish in a winter pond and they said they should be OK in the icy water but to break a hole now and again in the pond surface
It sounds a lovely idea - water lilies ? how big is your pond - photo?
|
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Feb 11, 2012 10:16:46 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Ron on Feb 11, 2012 13:54:29 GMT
Thanks, Jasmine. The article looks useful. Jenny, it's not that big but I may extend it. About 6ft x 4ft.  It's frozen at the moment. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Feb 11, 2012 14:08:23 GMT
l lost my fish last year in the big freeze up Ronny  I still have the pond and am hopeful of frogs and the likes taking residence again. The pond was resited from elsewhere in my garden and last year I can't say as I saw the usual frogs and occasional dragon fly that had previously lived around the old pond despite the setup being exactely the same, plants and all. I'll be keeping an eye when the weather improves and shall have a peek at that site Jasmine posted  |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Feb 11, 2012 16:37:53 GMT
Fish are no good if you want other wildlife in there. Fish eat the eggs of frogs, newts and even dragonfly before they hatch.
But then again this Winter may solve the problem for you.
If a pond is under 80cm / 2.3 feet deep the fish are likely to die.
Mind you do not hack a hole in as the sound damages what fish have that we might call ears.
I did notice the broken ice so this advice might be a tad too late.
In deep ponds fish hibernate on the bottom without moving or eating and they do fine.
In shallow ponds they get embedded in ice and you should have overwintered them in a spare tank where it is cool but does not freeze.
I have no fish but every year the newts move in for their honeymoon. It sure gets busy then.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Feb 11, 2012 16:40:12 GMT
ps. When you get yourself a bundle of straw sticks and stick those in it helps in things not freezing solid and they say these floating things help too but only when the ice does not grow too fast too thick.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Feb 11, 2012 17:27:14 GMT
My allotment book says plant in Feb.
And it says plant overwintering onions in September / October
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Feb 11, 2012 18:00:50 GMT
I did not post this in here, gremlins again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ron on Feb 23, 2012 19:14:16 GMT
I might be the first to grow onions in a pond! Cheers, Barbara!
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbara on Feb 24, 2012 14:17:24 GMT
Let me know how it goes Rony. ;D
|
|
I still have the pond and am hopeful of frogs and the likes taking residence again. The pond was resited from elsewhere in my garden and last year I can't say as I saw the usual frogs and occasional dragon fly that had previously lived around the old pond despite the setup being exactely the same, plants and all. I'll be keeping an eye when the weather improves and shall have a peek at that site Jasmine posted 
