Wildlife Pond.

[melv16]

I'm going to put a preformed plastic pond on my allotment. The size would be about 4'x3'. Any recommendations on where to buy one?

[rowanwitch]

Try sites like gumtree or local advertising sites, there are usually a few around

[woofgang]

can you fit in a bigger one? also think about mozzies. I use this stuff in my ponds to help stop getting bitten to ribbons. Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[johnny.5]

you could try these I have used them before with no complaints
https://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/

[Arrods]

A pond liner might be better, and possibly cheaper too.

[alavahalf]

Before you go digging any holes melv .. have you looked in your plot holders handbook (assuming it is rented from the council).
Chances are they wont let you put one in due to health and safety reasons. You wont be there 24/7 to monitor it. Children, animals and other plot holders have to be considered.
With our plots any additions or alterations wanted have to be put in writing and sent to the council. Written permission must be in hand before anything can go ahead.

[sherrardk]

If you do install one, can you please make sure you have some way for any hedgehog who falls in to get out?

[Old_Geezer]

As someone with no knowledge of this subject, I was still surprised that a pond would be allowed. Council's have these things for folk to grow veg (& maybe flowers) don't they ? Rather than practicing landscaping. I'd have thought there were others willing to take on plots to grow things.

[melv16]

Several plot holders have wildlife ponds on the site. So long as you keep them a reasonable size, there's no problem with the council.

[SlackAlice]

At that size you will be always clearing out blanketweed and algae irrespective of depth unless you have it fitted with a filtering system.
Mosquito's will love it.

[rowanwitch]

Catch a couple of sticklebacks they will scoff the mosquito larvae

[alavahalf]

Ponds ard a nice idea .. as long as you dont mind accidently standing on and squashing frogs every few minutes !

[melv16]

Things have changed. I've been offered 2 very large Belfast sinks, which will be perfect.
Job's a good 'un:-)

[rowanwitch]

I had a wildlife pond on my allotment, very soon lots of frogs and a lot less slugs...

[Chipchopper]

After some thought, I wondered about 1/2 burying an old water tank in the ground, forming a rockery out of old bricks and stones around the edges. make a ramp for anything to climb out.
And if anyone asks, its a reservoir for watering plants.

[waterboatman]

I like that chip. Well done.

[melv16]

I scrounged a couple of buckets full of water, along with some weed, from another plotholder. Lo and behold, I now have about 50 tadpoles:-)

[Tilly2]

...so, no hedgehogs can fall in because the sinks are sited on the ground, rather than in it?

[alavahalf]

It's barefootin for you melv .. you will feel the frogs before you squash them !
We are all set to go.. two allotments all clean ,tidied and ready for whatever ?
Just waiting on the tomatoes to get a little larger.

[melv16]

Tilly. I've put house bricks in each sink so that any wildlife can get out.

[Buenchico]

With regard to council rules and guidelines (mentioned above), Melv's local council actually encourages plot holders to create wildlife ponds. See page 41:
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/content/dam/sheffield/docs/parks-sports-and-recreation/allotments/Allotment%20Handbook%20June%202018.pdf