Stocking the pond with the right planting from the start makes a noticeable difference to how quickly it settles. A good

Stocking the pond with the right planting from the start makes a noticeable difference to how quickly it settles. A good place to begin is a considered selection of pond plants suited to the pond's size and depth.

For gardens without much bare soil to spare, a ready-made shelter is a simple addition. Many gardeners start with bee hotels positioned in a sheltered, sunny spot close to nectar-rich planting.

Design has a big influence on how well a pond gets used. A shallow, gently sloping edge, sometimes called a beach area, lets amphibians and insects get in and out easily, and gives small mammals that fall in an escape route rather than a hazard. Planting in distinct zones, marginal plants at the shallow edge, www.gardenwildlife.com floating plants across the surface, and oxygenating plants below, gives different creatures the cover and conditions they need.

A pond set up with the right planting and shelter from the outset tends to attract amphibians naturally over time. Many gardeners begin with a considered selection of pond wildlife equipment chosen to suit the size of pond they are working with.

Easy access matters most. A shallow, gently sloping edge lets amphibians move in and out of the water without difficulty, while steep, hard-edged ponds can be surprisingly difficult for them to use. Nearby damp, shady spots, a log pile or a compost heap close to the pond, give them somewhere to shelter and hibernate once they leave the water for the colder months.

Flower choice makes a real difference. Single-flowered varieties expose their pollen and nectar openly, whereas heavily double-petalled blooms often hide or lack it altogether. Planting in drifts rather than single specimens also helps, since it gives foraging insects a more efficient source to work through.