What use can I make of emptied garden pond?

Question

We used to have a very large garden pond, but emptied it out because I was worried that children might wander into my very large garden and accidently fall into our wildlife pond. Though my husband wants to fill in the void I would love to put it to some other use perhaps a sunken garden with drainage pipes.

I would appreciate suggestions that are realistic and not full of inuendo! Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

We have just built a fantastic bog garden for the children - we filled the pond with soil and planted lots of marginals, grasses and rushes etc. Its very peaceful and there are lots of wild creatures that the children enjoy spotting. You've got many of the pleasures of a pond without the inherent dangers. You don't need any special drainage or pipes, just make sure the area is kept wet and boggy and that you chose the right plants.

Answer 2

If you've just emptied the pond for the safety of the children and it was as large as it sounds then surely the only sensible thing to do is to fill it it. Depending on how deep it was if you do want to keep a feature there why not fill it the bottom so that it is not quite to deep and fill it with plants and rushes. Before the grow get a sheet of metal net and cover the top of the pond. The the plants will come through and the children can't fall in.

Answer 3

EMPTIED ponds make excellent boobie traps when evading baddies. Simply lay light sticks over said pond and cover with leaves. Also see 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves' as the emptied ponds in Sherwood Forest made great hiding places for robbing the rich and subsequently giving to the poor. Also note: When the rich were robbed thus becoming poor, did they then go to the back of the queue for Robins handouts?

Answer 4

The most sensible solution would be to combine both your ideas!

Why not create a bog garden? There is a tremendous range of bog plants many of which flower beautifully and all attract wildlife.
A small pond area would be a good idea though for frogs, toads and native aquatics to use.

Answer 5

Depending how deep it is and if it has shelves or not you could buy loads of plants/trees and sit them in it. Would be easy maintenance and you don't need to dig holes all over the garden to plant things.
Sand pit would be a safe option and at least you could then re-use it at some point later if you wanted a change.
If there are shelves you could always buy lots of garden gnomes and start your own little village !! Or other garden ornaments !!

Answer 6

A friend of mine has a sunken garden with gravel down. it's very nice, and doesn't have any artificial drainage in. Though your one being a pond it might require some. It is a nice effect though

Answer 7

Ive moved into a house before Christmas the pool was removed so its all plants around the side it looks beautiful now its summer .mine was on a corner so trailers are going up the fence the middle bit is just flat my idea is to get some nice paving and pave maybe in a circle and just put chairs out .
plants include mini fir of various sizes and even there is some beautiful flowering plants and strawberry plants.

Answer 8

Makes a fantastic bog garden, you dont need drainage. Put a layer of gravel and sand in the bottom, then fill up to your required level with good quality topsoil/peat mix. Any good garden centre will advise you of suitable plants for this type of project.

Answer 9

If children visit your garden regularly, turn the old pond area into a sand pit. The areas that they don't use, try growing some sunloving or drought loving plants in there.

Answer 10

How bout putting a big fountain in the center of it with nice plants around..... you probably already have it piped in with drainage.....that way you can still enjoy the sound of running water without actually having a pool of it.

Sounds nice...

Or, (don't know your climate) bring in some large mountain rocks and create a rock and cactus garden.