When scientists want to find signs of life on other worlds, the first thing they do is look for the presence of water. Water, it seems, is fundamental to life and, without it, life doesn’t exist.
It follows that if you want to encourage wildlife into your garden, you should include a source of water. A pond would be ideal!
The great thing about ponds is that they are a relatively easy addition to a garden. They don’t have to be enormous, and can often be dug by hand. You can, of course, go for a larger sized pond if you have space, but usually, you can get many of the benefits from something bijou.
Ponds reflect sunlight
Although ponds are essential for many species of garden animals, they’re also useful for plants too. Have you ever wondered why plants tend to grow so tall near ponds? According to One Green Planet, it’s because the water reflects the sun’s light, providing more energy to grasses and shrubs nearby. Ponds, therefore, are especially useful in gardens that might now get sunlight throughout the whole day.
Ponds keep temperatures constant
Water has a far higher capacity to store energy per unit volume than air. So unlike air, it takes much more energy to heat up, and much more energy to cool down. In practice, this means that in the summer, when the air temperature is hot, the temperature of the pond is lower (unless there’s been a prolonged heatwave). Having a more stable temperature can be helpful, especially during the growing season.
Ponds attract animals
Ponds are great at attracting new and exciting creatures to your garden and acting as the basis of a thriving ecosystem. If you have a small pond, it might not be self-sustaining, so you may need to buy pond supplies to supplement the food available to the creatures that live there. If you’re successful, then you can expect amphibians, crustaceans, dragonflies and butterflies to visit.
The good thing about many of these species is that they help to control pests naturally. Biodiversity keeps your garden functioning healthily.
Ponds can support aquaculture
You might think that the space taken up by a pond is space that can no longer be used for plants. But this is a misconception: the surface of the pond is an ideal place to introduce new species to your garden. Many gardeners, for instance, use their ponds as an opportunity to grow things like chestnut, taro and watercress. Even wild rice can grow in very wet conditions on the banks of your pond. A large pond is not a missed opportunity.
Ponds provide a supply of water
Freshwater supplies are threatened in many parts of the world, including some places in developed countries such as the south-western US. People interested in the environment, therefore, need ways to store fresh water and not rely on the grid. Ponds are an ideal solution, providing you with a source of water for watering your plants rather than using a hosepipe. Don’t drink it though!
[disclosure*]