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I would love to have a garden pond, but don't have time at the moment, because of other garden projects, to do all the digging and preparation. And so a barrel pond is on the agenda with a view to attracting amphibians and insects.
I was in a local garden centre last week and spied a pile of barrels which were on offer at 1/2 price. On enquiry, it turned out that they were actually wooden ornamental planters but I thought I would give one a go - if it proves unsuitable I'll start again. Pond lining is on order from the internet as the construction of the barrel looks unsuitable for making watertight by soaking.
Any advice on planting would be welcome - I was considering miniature water lilies, iris and a native oxygenator.
More pics to follow as things progress.
Edit = pic not loading!
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
How big are they? Could they be gnat larvae?
I'm not bald. I've just got ingrowing hair!
They are about 1inch,slender and very "wriggly".
Try doing an internet search on bloodworms to see if its them. I've quite often seen them in water butts etc. Don't think they cause any harm. Or see if this link works -
Woops! That was just meant to be a link not an actual photo!
Thanks,Stoat I think they are blood worms - did a search. They are the larvae of a non biting midge. Harmless as you say.
My little pond is not thriving and any advice would be appreciated.
The oxygenators have perished, the irises have more or less rotted and the waterlily is making very slow progress.
Two things come to mind, firstly that the plants put on new growth during the warm spell in March and then were hit by frosts, hail and cold winds, and secondly the planting baskets are supported by upturned plastic plantpots. Could there be something toxic leaking from the plantpots?
The Sparrows have enjoyed it tho' - a very convenient bird bath :)