Looking for a way to attract unusual and musical wildlife to the water garden? In recent years, frog and salamander populations have declined around the world. Creating homes for amphibians in a small backyard pond adds a new element to the backyard pond ecosystem and develops a vital home for urban wildlife.
Choose Wetland Plants that Allow Frogs to Hide and Feed
Frogs and salamanders lay masses of eggs in the spring time. These gelatinous structures are a common sight in natural ponds. Clumping rushes and sedges create habitats near the water’s edge, while floating plants make shady hiding places in the pond where frogs can attach their eggs.
Tadpoles feed on algae and other vegetation. In the spring time, consider allowing a small amount of algae to take up residence in the pond. If the tadpoles hatch successfully, they will do a good job of keeping it under control.
Play Host to Beneficial Insects
Creating a thriving pond is about developing a garden ecosystem. In this ecosystem, there are predator and prey animals. Beside the pond, place an herb garden that contains dill, fennel, coriander, and parsley. These plants attract a multitude of insects to pollinate flowers and food crops. Insects also play a role in the food web. They eat other garden insects, and are eaten by birds, frogs, and salamanders.
Use Organic Gardening Techniques to Keep Frogs Safe
Frogs and other amphibians are very sensitive to pollutants. Any pesticides used in a garden will make their way into the soil and the water, and these will go through a frog’s skin. To keep populations of frogs, salamanders, and other resident garden animals safe, remove pests by hand or with a spray of water.
Adding water to the garden pond? Let the water sit overnight to remove the chlorine. Amphibians are sensitive to chemicals in the water. Although chlorine is added to make water safe for people to drink, rainwater or dechlorinated water is safest for amphibians.
Predator Control in the Water Garden
Predators like raccoons and herons can decimate pond animal populations. The best way to keep pond animals safe is to ensure that they have plenty of places to hide. Create safe places for frogs to hide by placing small piles of rocks, pond ornaments, and clumps of rushes and other wetland plants around the pond.
If the predator situation continues, consider other options. Some people place mesh over the pond, though some animals can move the mesh or make holes in it over time. It is also possible to purchase floating pond animals that look like predators – some even glow using solar panels. Or buy a plastic heron to place next to the pond.
Understand Which Frogs are Native to the Area
Although it is often possible to purchase tadpoles for a home aquarium or pond, be very wary of doing so. Often, the tadpoles purchased in a store may not be indigenous to the area. For example, bullfrogs are an invasive species in many places. With their voracious appetites, they can quickly reduce the populations of native frogs. It is far better for local populations to colonize the pond themselves. Join a program like Frog Watch to observe and record species of native frogs and salamanders that visit the backyard pond.
A water garden can be an education in habitat creation. Frogs need places to hide, animals to eat, and clean water to use as their home. Whether they are birds, dragonflies, or frogs, inviting animals to the yard with a water garden is a way to enhance the sounds and sights of a backyard garden habitat.
Tricia Edgar - Tricia Edgar is a gardener, environmental educator, and science writer from the Pacific Northwest.
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