Water for Wildlife and Interest in the Garden
March 13th, 2025 | Categories
Water is an essential element in nature to support life and adding it to your garden is a fantastic way to transform the space into a thriving sanctuary for local wildlife, providing the likes of birds, hedgehogs, dormice, frogs, insects and more, a place to drink from and bathe. By adding water in the form of bird baths, water features and ponds, you will be contributing to the local ecosystem by creating a new micro habitat that wildlife can use, live, feed and drink from.
When people think about adding water to the garden, the immediate – and sometimes daunting – thought is the effort and expense that goes with installing a sizeable pond. However, ponds can be added in a few different ways that don’t have to take up a large swathe of the garden or cost a lot of money. In fact, water can be added in a variety of different ways beyond simply ponds.
Whether you’re new to gardening or have a bit of experience, incorporating water features is simpler than you might think and offers some great rewards. Let’s find out how.
Why Add Water to the Garden?
Water provides essential resources for a variety of creatures, from birds and hedgehogs to frogs and insects. In addition to supporting wildlife, water features create a soothing sensory experience through the gentle sound of a trickling water feature, the reflective surface of a pond, or the sight of birds bathing. For gardeners, these features offer a unique way to connect with nature while boosting the biodiversity of the garden.
Wildlife You Can Support
By adding water to your garden, you’ll be helping:
- Birds: They need clean water for drinking and bathing to keep their feathers in top condition.
- Hedgehogs, dormice and other small mammals: Water sources provide hydration, especially in warmer months when natural water can be scarce.
- Amphibians like frogs, newts and toads: These creatures rely on ponds and damp areas for breeding and feeding.
- Insects: Bees, butterflies and dragonflies benefit from accessible water and damp areas.
Over time you’ll be surprised by the amount of wildlife that just seems to find the water from nowhere!
Ways to Add Water to Your Garden
As mentioned earlier, there are quite a few different ways to add water to your garden beyond a sizeable pond:
Butterfly Puddler
A butterfly puddler is a shallow dish filled with damp sand, soil or compost and placed in a sunny spot. Adding a few stones or pieces of fruit will attract butterflies, allowing them to sip moisture and absorb essential minerals safely.
Bee Marble Bar
Create a bee-friendly water station by placing marbles or pebbles in a shallow dish of water. The marbles give bees and other small insects a safe landing spot to drink without the risk of drowning and it’s also quite decorative.
Bird Bath
A bird bath is an easy and effective addition to any garden. Birds need to drink safely and keep their plumage in tip top condition and a bird bath is a great way to do that. Choose a sturdy design with shallow sides and place it in an open area where birds can see predators coming. Keep it clean and topped up with fresh water, especially during dry spells and winter freezes.
Water Feature
Adding a water feature is a versatile way to introduce the soothing presence of water into your garden. A small fountain, bubbling stone, or cascading waterfall can serve as a focal point while also benefiting wildlife. The sound of trickling water helps us to relax too. Surround your water feature with native plants to further enhance its appeal for wildlife.
Container Pond
If space is limited, a container pond is a great way to introduce water. Use pots, lined wooden planters, old garden buckets, sinks, or large tubs to create a mini pond. Add oxygenating plants like water lilies or irises to create more diverse conditions and place the container in a partially sunny spot. Ensure there are gentle slopes or ramps so animals can easily access the water. You can build these in or use stones as a means for them to get in and out.
Bog Garden
A bog garden is perfect for areas with poor drainage. By maintaining consistently damp soil, you’ll create a haven for frogs, newts and insects. Plant native moisture-loving plants like marsh marigolds and purple loosestrife to enhance the habitat.
Garden Pond
A garden pond is the ultimate way to attract wildlife, and it doesn’t have to be a challenge to do so. You can choose a preformed pond liner for an easy-to-install option or design your own using flexible pond liner material. Even a small pond will make a world of difference.
- Preformed ponds: These are available in various sizes and shapes holding as much as 1000 litres of water with smaller sizes available too, making them a straightforward choice for beginners. Dig a hole to fit the liner and backfill the edges for a seamless look. Many have shaped edges and zones of varying heights to allow for grit, stones, soil and plants to be placed easily.
- Custom ponds: Using a flexible liner, you can create ponds of any shape or size. Plan your design carefully, incorporating shallow edges for wading birds and amphibians and plant native aquatic plants to oxygenate the water.
While pond liners are more versatile, allowing you to create different depths, shapes and sizes, pre-formed ponds are much easier to install and will not require underlay for protection. Though they are restricted to size and depth.
Does My Wildlife Pond or Container Need a Pump?
Wildlife ponds do not require a pump so long as lots of oxygenating and marginal plants are used. These will act as a natural water filter and keep the pond balanced, as well as provide better conditions for wildlife.
Avoid Adding Fish to a Wildlife Pond
While fish might seem like an obvious addition, they are not suitable for wildlife ponds. Fish consume insects, tadpoles, and other small creatures. To maintain a vibrant habitat, keep your wildlife pond fish-free.
Start Small and Just Add Water
Adding water to your garden is a simple yet impactful way to support local wildlife, enhance the beauty of your space, and create a calming retreat for yourself. From small-scale projects like a butterfly puddler or bee marble bar to more ambitious endeavours like a garden pond, there’s an option for every gardener and every garden space. By carefully choosing your water features and maintaining them, you’ll create a thriving habitat that benefits nature and provides interest in the garden for years. Even starting small will help and maybe in time you will graduate up to a pond!
