Water gardening

Hi is anyone interested ponds. Pond plants, frogs, fish keeping, I know its a bit early but another month to six weeks you can expect to see frog spawn, and thats the start of the water gardening season. I only have a small pond but its full of life, far too many fish and frogs but they seem to get on alright.

 

Nathan, you could try this site. They might be able to give your folks some info.

I put a pond in about 4 months ago (hard work!) so I'm hoping to have some creatures move in this year.

 

Hi Nathan
No sadly I do not have any newets I saw one a couple of years ago but not since. I'm not sure that newts should be moved, or is it, just the crested newt, remember seeing Ken Livingstone of all people on T.V. talking about it once some years ago.

 

Hi CVS & Nathan
Just had a look at your frog life site CVS. See dear old Ken gets a mention there. I wasn't dreaming then!

 

Please remember newts are a protected species and should not be handled or moved! (or for that matter taken from or to the wild) Contact your local Wildlife Trust for more info.

 

Thanks Penlan Perenials
Am I right in thinking this also applies to toads? pete2255

 

Nathan
Just to be on the safe side you could place a board or ramp in the pool so that they can get out on there own. Thereby not disturbing them yourself. I tend to do this in my pond as it was built with overhaging slabs and stones around the edges, something most gardening books advise inorder to stop the sunlight getting at the exposed liner. However it also traps anphibians.
If I built another one I'd do it differently.

 

Natterjack toads are protected Pete but I dont think the common toad is: Here's a good site with lots of info.
http://www.overthegardengate.net/wildlife/frogs.asp

Newts hibernate in winter and go under wood or into stone walls etc where they look all shrivelled. I often find them and they look like dead, like discarded children's toys, but they are not dead!! When I accidentally dropped one into water it came out of hibernation as quick as a flash! So don't disturb when hibernating.