Follow my Micro Pond Build : Week1

I've decided to show you how easy it is to make a garden micro pond. These tiny pond are great for bringing wildlife into your garden. Easy to make, easy to maintain and great for educating kids about nature.
My goal is to build this pond with minimal costs and using every day items. Then to follow its journey as it evolves and grows throughout the year
I'm hoping to encourage frogs, toads and newts to make it their home and hope to get birds and insects including colourful dragonfly's to stop by.

The first step is to decide where to situate the pond. Ideally not under a tree. Although i've had to do that due to lack of room. Try not to situate it in constant full sun but just morning or just afternoon sun is ok.

Then decide what to use.. remember my objective as a frugal type ;-) is to build at minimal cost.
Having a look through my garage i found an old plastic tub (21"x 12" x 12" deep). In colder climates you may need 15" depth. I also found some old net pots but plant pots with holes punched in would work as well. I also found half a bag of gravel but small stones or pebbles are just as good as long as they are clean.

Lets get started

Mark around the top of the tub and dig out a hole to full depth removing any sharp stones

Make the hole deep enough so the top of the pot is level with the garden. You may end up with a raised lip at one end if your garden runs. Its harder to hide the tub edge if you leave it raised

Level the tub with a spirit level .. front to back, end to end and corner to corner.. Spend time on this as it can really effect the look if its not level.

Once level and in the correct position backfill with the finer soil and save some to fill up after any settlement. Then clear the excess soil away.

Part 2 will be to fill and plant the pond
Keep a look out for any free pond plants ;-)