Ponds

Whist we may not wish for a leech farm in our garden, the issues of climate change, peak oil, and species loss, are we believe bringing about a renaissance in pond using culture. New and exciting functions for even small garden ponds can become fruitful. Back yard fish farming is an obvious contender, lessening the pressure on marine fisheries and reducing food miles to food metres at the same time. What a sense of achievement, your own home grown organic vegetables beside your own home grown fish. Taken a step further raising fish can be fully integrated with vegetable production through aquaponics.

Another idea, establised on the continent but relatively new to this country is the natural swimming pool. In place of toxic chlorine maintaining an ecologically sterile body of water the natural swimming pool is purified through the action of a constructed aquatic ecosystem.

As we come to understand and trust ecological processes more, previously alternative technology such as effluent treatment by reedbeds becomes more common place.

Above are some of our ponds in various stages of development. They are not all multifunctional indeed some have very specific aims such as championing Great Crested Newts. For an acount of a fully multifunctional pond click Pond case study.

Whether providing water for thirsty bee hives or a place to grow medicinal herbs the list of pond uses is a long one. How many uses for ponds and wetlands can you think of?