5 small garden pond ideas that will invite wildlife and waterscaping into even the tiniest space

Small garden pond ideas are a valuable addition to plots of any size. Even if you don't have much of a garden, these small ponds can change the way that you – and wildlife – interact with your outdoor space.

According to Defra, 70% of ponds have been lost since the 19th century. This has negatively impacted biodiversity and eradicated vital habitats. By reintroducing garden pond ideas into your small garden, you will create valuable habitats and increase your garden's biodiversity – something that might even help you win the battle against garden pests.

'If you’re ready to take your wildlife care to the next level, adding a pond is the ultimate move. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be huge – just a small container pond can make all the difference. Frogs, newts and birds will soon gather to its cool, refreshing waters,' explains experts from Ark Wildlife.

If you're hoping to build a wildlife pond to incorporate more wildlife garden ideas into your garden, then small ponds are often better.

‘A wildlife pond should have lots of shallow water – roughly 50 per cent shallows, with the deep area not more than 30cm,’ explains Dr Jeremy Biggs, CEO at FreshWater Habitats Trusts. ‘Most garden ponds are too deep for their area: if you want a pond that’s half a metre deep, or deeper, it needs to be much bigger or you end up with very steep sides.’

So small and shallow is ideal for sustainable garden ideas – it also has the added benefit of being safer, as the risk of serious accidents is lower in shallower water.

To quickly attract wildlife to the new pond, consider using some wildlife pond food, available from Amazon, which will prove popular with critters in your garden.

1. Create a small pond with a preformed design

The easiest way to create a small garden pond is to use a preformed design. This is much easier and more convenient than lining a pond, though the size and shape are more prescribed.

Installation is an easy weekend project, simply dig your hole, add a layer of sand and then install and backfill around your preformed pond.

There is a wide range of shapes and sizes, including this Preformed Pond from B&Q, which holds 120 litres and features a small water course system. Look for designs with multiple depths – ideally incorporating a small ledge or ramp.

If you're thinking of adding small garden pond ideas to your plot, it's likely to be spring or summer. However, it is important to think forward, as even small ponds need care in winter.

Try to prevent ice from forming on the surface – this is particularly important for plastic ponds or those with fish – and prevent leaves from falling into the pond during autumn and winter. You can get pond netting on Amazon. Preventing leaves from decomposing in the water is a key way to rid of pond algae.

2. Install a compact container pond

The king of small garden pond ideas – container ponds can be incorporated into any size or shape garden. Even if you have a paved courtyard garden or are limited by having a rented garden, a container pond means that you can still have all the benefits of a pond, without the disruption or space demands of a larger design.

Any watertight container can be transformed into a pond. Simply fill with rainwater and add your plants, immersed in pond baskets. You can then create slopes in your pond by sinking rocks and old bricks.

Adding a solar fountain – like this from Amazon – turns your container pond into a great budget zen garden idea, too.

Even the mini container pond is an essential small wildlife garden idea. 'if you have a smaller, urban garden, micro-ponds are a brilliant solution. Filled with water, old dustbins and containers will instantly attract wildlife and create an urban haven thriving with biodiversity. Birdbaths offer a charming, sophisticated look and provide birds a place to drink and bathe,' says garden expert Sarah Raven.

With designs ranging from simple plastic containers through to rustic barrel designs – like this from Etsy – you have total flexibility in its look and placement.

'The plant pot pond can be dug into the soil or kept upright for bugs to climb up to,' explains experts from CJ Wildlife.

3. Add an easy patio pond for fish

If you're looking for small garden pond ideas for fish, these raised designs are easy to install – without the need for digging – and are best placed on decking or patio areas.

Designs like the Blagdon Affinity Spotlight from Amazon are available in octagon, corner, or half-moon shapes to fit into any garden. It also has the added benefit of lower-level windows, allowing you to enjoy seeing the fish as they swim past, rather than only being able to view them from the surface.

'Each Affinity View pond is supplied as a complete kit, including an efficient, low-maintenance all-in-one life support pump and filter system that not only creates a stunning water feature, but also ensures the water stays clean and healthy for your fish,' says Andrew Paxton, senior development manager at Blagdon. 'The integrated LED lighting allows you to enjoy the calming beauty of the pool both day and night.'

4. Create a bespoke mini pond

Where space is really tight, bespoke designs may be a better fit than preformed or container ponds. Creating your own pond, using a pond liner, lets you create the perfect shape for your space. This means you can incorporate a mini pond into even the smallest of gardens.

To create your pond, dig a shallow hole in the ground, removing any stones as these could pierce the liner, before coating the hole with a healthy layer of sand. Dig a trench around the outside of the pond.

Lay a butyl rubber pond liner, available from Amazon, in the hole, smoothing it out and tucking the edges into the trench, using large rocks to weigh it down. Then backfill the trench to secure the liner.

Adding this style of pond is one of the best ways to attract frogs to your garden.

5. Alway add plants

Regardless of the size of your small garden pond ideas, incorporating pond planting is a must.

'A well-planted pond is a haven for pondlife like frogs, newts and insects that all help to make our gardens the diverse ecosystems they are,' explains experts from Cherry Lane Garden Centres. 'Adding aquatic plants like water lilies or marsh marigold will help to filter the water, provide shelter and boost oxygen levels, creating a balanced and wildlife-friendly pond environment.'

To get you started, many companies sell pond plant collections to help keep water clear, oxygenated, and encourage wildlife. Crocus sell a 6-pack of Insect-friendly pond plants while You Garden has a budget-friendly set of six Starter Pond Plant Collection.

'Also consider adding waterlilies such as Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Alba’ or Nymphaea ‘Rose Arey’, they’ll provide perching spots for insects and create shaded areas beneath the water,' advises garden expert Sarah Raven.

FAQs

Can you fill a pond with tap water?

While you can fill a pond with tap water, this is not the best method. In general, rainwater is the best option for filling your pond as it has a pH level that will support the largest range of plants and wildlife. Start collecting rainwater in water butts before you begin to build your pond. You can then use this to fill your pond quickly and efficiently.

‘When topping up your pond, it’s a good idea to use collected rainwater, or tap water that has stood in a watering can for at least 72 hours to allow some of the chemicals to evaporate,’ says garden expert Leigh Clapp.

If you want fish, seek expert advice before adding them to the pond, as water testing may be required.

Do you need planning permission for a small pond?

In the majority of cases, you will not need planning permission for a small pond. Interestingly, ponds are classed under the same planning regulations as outbuildings and garden rooms. According to planningportal.co.uk, so long as the pond (in addition to other outbuildings) takes up 'no more than half the area of land around the "original house" – then it'll be classed under permitted development.

If you want to add a small or large pond alongside a listed building or in a conservation area, then check with your local planning office before proceeding.

If you are planning to build a pond in your front garden, the rules are slightly different. It is essential to get these plans checked by your local planning officer before setting out.