How to build a small wildlife pond

Sometimes, you’ll need to invite nature into your garden, and learning how to build a small wildlife pond is one of the most fun ways to do it. Even mini ponds can host an amazing array of wildlife, becoming home to everything from dragonflies to frogs and newts. 

It’ll also double as a drinking or bathing spot for birds, hedgehogs, and bats (nature’s natural pest controllers). But if cost is holding you back, Whitaker’s is here to tell you that your pond doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Set-ups like a simple washing-up bowl, a large plant pot, or even an old ceramic sink can be repurposed into a thriving ecosystem (so long as creatures can get in and out easily). If you’re ready to get started, here’s what you’ll need: 

What you’ll need to create a wildlife pond 

Your journey towards a small wildlife pond begins with gathering the correct materials. The specific list you create will depend on the size of your pond and where it is, but generally speaking, the following materials should be sufficient: 

• Rainwater (tap water contains chemicals that can harm pond life)
• A watertight container (must be watertight; you may also need a piece of pond liner or some waterproof sealant if your container isn’t waterproof) 
• Old bricks, stones, and pebbles (to line the bottom and edges) 
• Spade (optional, if you want to dig a hole to sink your container into the ground)
• Pond plants (1 or 2 small aquatic plants are enough for a mini pond) 

How to build a small wildlife pond 

Now you know what you need and why, it’s time to learn how to build a small wildlife pond.

1. Choose the container and location

Anything that holds water and is roughly 20–30 cm deep will make a great container for your wildlife pond, so you might choose an upcycled item like a sturdy plastic tub, a wooden half-barrel, or an old sink or bowl. 

Just make sure that the material the container is made from can withstand extreme outdoor weather conditions (frost-resistant if it gets icy). If you have several options, pick the one that provides a decent surface area for the water. 

Next, it’s time to pick a spot. Wildlife ponds prefer partial sunlight – you want enough sun to keep the water warm (for creatures like frogs), but not full, direct sun all day. We recommend choosing a spot where at least one side has a long, shallow slope. 

If you plan to sink the container into the ground, dig a hole in the shape of the container and place it in so that the rim is level with the ground. Keeping it above the ground? That’s fine, too – just position the container in its final spot before filling it with water (as it may become too heavy). 

2. Make it watertight

Your chosen container might not come pond-ready. Some materials can have small leaks or drainage holes that go unnoticed. Those using a rigid, pre-formed tub, an old sink, or anything without holes are all set. 

But if you’ve chosen, for example, an old plant pot with a drainage hole or a wooden barrel that seeps, you’ll need to add a liner or sealant. Cut a piece of flexible pond liner to fit inside the container, covering the bottom and sides. 

To create a waterproof pond base (for those who dug a hole for a custom-shaped pond), lay down some sand, or pond underlay beneath the liner to protect from punctures (usually caused by rocky soil). 

3. Add gravel, rocks and perches for wildlife

Now, it’s time to get creative! Start arranging the interior of your pond by covering the bottom with a layer of gravel or pebbles. A few centimetres of gravel will cover any unsightly liner while also creating crevices for mini pond beasts to hide in! 

This way, aquatic creatures that hit the bottom of your pool will have something to hang onto that isn’t plastic. After the first layer, place some larger stones, bricks, or pieces of broken terracotta in the pond to create different depths and islands. 

Here, you should aim to build a slope: one side of the pond should gradually transition from deep water to shallow water to the point that it’s level with the edge. 

4. Fill with water (preferably rainwater)

With your pond set up, fill the container with rainwater. Why do we recommend this? Unlike tap water, which often contains chlorine and other chemicals, rainwater is naturally soft and free from chemicals. 

Try not to disturb your gravel layout too much by filling the container carefully. Fill it almost to the top, but not overflowing: leave an inch or two below the rim, especially if the container is above ground, to accommodate rainfall. 

You’ve got the basic habitat in place! 

5. Add some pond plants 

Plants are what will make your new pond attractive to local wildlife. They’ll also keep your pond health, but the key is not to overdo it. 

It’s good to include a mix of plant types if you can: for example, one oxygenating plant that lives underwater and one marginal plant that sits with its roots in the water but stems above the surface at the edge. 

Planting is simple: you might wedge a plant pot between rocks to keep it at the surface level it prefers, or let a floating plant simply drift. 

6. Enjoy the wildlife! 

After all your hard work, now it’s time to sit back and reap the rewards. While it may be tempting to interfere with the pond, either by adding frogs or fish of your own or removing unsightly algae, it’s best not to disturb anything. 

Shop for gardening materials with Whitaker's Garden Centre!

Our guide to pond-building is designed for gardeners of all skill levels. You might be just starting or a seasoned, green-fingered professional. The best part about learning how to build a small wildlife pond is that, with the right tools, anyone can do it. 

If you’re looking for pond-making materials, our gardening materials are the perfect place to start. Browse our collection, and you’ll find decorative aggregates (perfect for a pond base), plants and shrubs, plus plenty of pots and planters.

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