Our new house has one of those little plastic ponds sitting by the front porch, reminiscent of a black kidney-shaped kids' wading pool. :) My first reaction was that it was silly and I would toss it out, but maybe I can use it and somehow make it look good. There's a much larger pond in the back for me to play with, too. But what should I do with the little one? Should I get a little fountain for it to keep it aerated? Should I put goldfish in it? Plants? Sink it into the ground or leave it sitting on top?
Thanks!
Little Plastic Pond...
Of course you're asking water garden/pond enthusiasts, so the toss it out option is already "tossed out"! :)
Sink in in the ground if it isnt already, and fill it with water. Get it ready for spring. A few small goldfish or mosquito/feeder fish, will survive wonderfully in it. Skip the koi, they get far too large, and with the shallow depth and size of the preformed ponds, couldn't handle your winter weather.
Many plants can be put around and in the pond. Most elephant ear (colocasia) varieties can be put in water. Alocasias, their cousins, can be put around the edge in soil. You'll have to lift the bulbs for next winter. Flag iris's as well as some cannas, can be grown in the water. Lotus and water lilies are great plants for a water garden. They will need sun to get blooms. You will only need one water lily for a pond that size. If you get lotus, get a tuber and not seeds. They grow upright and come in a variety of sizes, so depending on the height you are looking for, you'll be able to adjust. Toads and frogs will find their way, and the tadpoles will keep the water crystal clear by cleaning up any vegetative debris.
In your area, any of the mints can be grow around the edge as well. Apple mint is variegated, so can add some textural drama to the edge. A little pond spitter is really all you will need, if you can get the frogs, fish, and tadpoles in there to take care of the rest.
:)
MerryMary