In this video we look at the effect that leaves can have on a pond and what you can do to help your wildlife pond.
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14 Comments
Hi Joel I've got a overhanging tree in my garden and I've noticed I've got leeches in my wildlife pond is this caused from this and are leeches bad for it many thanks for corporation
I have many deciduous trees and bushes which deposit into my small pond. Key issue is trying to remove them only when frogs have left. Should I clear the pond entirely in winter once all leaves have dropped? One issue is that frogs are staying longer in pond due to warmer autumn and I don't want to net too early. Also, it is a good idea to leave the pile of leaves etc next to the side of the pond for a day or two so that any small creatures living in the leaf matter can crawl back into the water. You will notice them doing this.
Thanks for this video! I have two questions:
1 – Don't even the water plants need some nutrition, which could be provided by leaves?
2 – What about leaves from the water plants themselves? I have a small pond, roughly about 8 feet by 9 feet, and I've noticed the water lily leaves falling back under the water. Now that we've had some cold weather, many of the pickerelweed leaves are brown and look like they might fall into the water, too (some may have already). There's also water pennywort, which I'm sure will drop its coin-shaped leaves – if it hasn't some already, and under the water there's American eelgrass, plus bacopa growing from the margin that has now made its way well into the water (and other plants around the margin).
I'm located in the Dallas area of Texas in the U.S. so our native water plants and climate are a bit different, but your videos have been extremely helpful for my husband and me in finally completing our wildlife pond earlier this year! It's been such a joy and success! Thank you! =)
When is the best time to vacuum out the sludge from the bottom of a pond?
I’m so glad you’ve posted this as I’ve been looking at my pond wondering whether the fallen leaves are good or bad so now I know! ☺️
Sludge or not, that is a lovely pond you're standing in there. Looks so natural.
One thing to watch out for is snails living on the underside of floating leaves. You need to check all the leaves you hook out before you dispose of them or you’ll be destroying a large number of creatures.
Good to know I’ve not been wasting my time pulling out all the sycamore leaves. I may try netting it next year, but I’m a bit worried birds etc getting caught up in the net 😬🦔
I've been netting my pond for years (13' x 7'), and the only time it was a problem for the birds was when I didn't get it all the way down and left a gap for the birds to get under, only had to rescue one. otherwise, when the leaves cover the net, the pine siskins and goldfinches and even some of the other birds, love taking their bathes on top of the leaves! I have photo's! And so fun to watch!
Great video joel luckily all our ponds are not near trees so we don’t have this problem. But great advice as any pond full of leaves won’t have any plants or wildlife in at all unfortunately 🐸💚🐸
During this hot summer the water level dropped so low I was able to lift all the leaves out from the bottom and pile them up at the side of the pond to let all the inhabitant wildlife return. I'm scooping newly fallen leaves our manually, but I think I'll net it next year. Thanks again for another question answered ☺️
Leaves in the pond can be a real problem, especially with Oak leaves, they form a tannic acid rich liquid which will be very detrimental to pond life, depending on the size of the pond, I think the only way to prevent this is as you advise here, by using a net for just a few weeks this stops the heavy build up of leaves in the water, and especially when they are drifted up by the wind as the water stops them blowing away any further Chris B. (Youtube seems to have changed my title) ?
Hey Joel! Great video, all my questions answered! Been out there with the kids fishing nets so hopefully not many sank to the bottom. Bit cold in there to be rolling my sleeves up to fish them out. Best wishes.
Did you have me in mind with this one 🤣 My weather isn't horrible yet, I guess after this weeks worth of rain I could/should get at it, it's only been forever I've been needing to.