A Micropond Is The Tiny Garden Trend That Brings Wildlife to You – and It's Surprisingly Easy to Create at Home

Grand ponds and elaborate fountains are no longer the only way to introduce water to a garden. Instead, gardeners are embracing microponds – compact, wildlife-friendly water features that deliver all the beauty and tranquillity of a traditional pond in a fraction of the space. Easy to create and endlessly charming, they can transform anything from a tiny patio to a quiet corner of a flower bed into a peaceful sanctuary, while providing a valuable source of water for birds, bees and other wildlife.

Miniature water gardens attract wildlife such as dragonflies and bees, and in some cases can even accommodate a shoal of tiny fish. See them as a scaled down version of garden pond ideas if you want something smaller and more manageable to fit your space.

Climate should always be one of the first things to consider if you're planning on jumping on the microponds trend. In very hot areas, a small water feature may be impractical as rapid evaporation means it will need to be refilled frequently, which could be an issue if water restrictions are in place during summer.

Microponds: Why Are They Trending?

As the owner of a small urban (and currently pond-free) garden I'm fascinated by the idea of adding a micropond. Lately I've seen so many inspirational tiny pond ideas that offer an easy way to create a thriving mini ecosystem while adding a vibrant feature that can be enjoyed year-round. Another of the big plus points is that they used much less water than a traditional pond.

I saw the design above at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where I noticed it was generating lots of interest. It was part of a design that transformed a small courtyard into a tranquil retreat. A reclaimed container was repurposed into a charming micropond, filled by water from a copper pipe, enriching the garden with a soothing, meditative atmosphere.

An idea like this micropond translates neatly into a garden where space is at a premium. It would work beautifully in my own garden, added to the patio, where it would create a real focal point too. So I decided to find out more about how easy it is to set up a micropond in my own garden.

How To Make A DIY Micropond

To make a DIY water feature similar to the one above you will need a few things that are widely available and inexpensive to purchase:

• Large watertight container at least 24 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. This can be either a purpose-made bowl like this one from Wayfair, a small black plastic half barrel like this one from Home Depot, or a pot planter like this ripple effect design from Wayfair , with the drainage hole sealed with silicone.
• Specialist pond plants with a compact growth habit suitable for a micropond including an oxygenator like hornwort from Ponds of America (but it can be a prolific grower so keep your eye on it).
• An optional small floating solar-powered water fountain like this one from Wayfair to oxygenate the water and prevent it from stagnating.

1. Decide Where You Want Your Micropond

It's important to get the right position for a miniature water garden, so this is the first thing to consider. If your preferred spot for the micropond is in full sun you might want to think again as this can encourage the build-up of pond algae.

The ideal position is one that gets good light but is in shade during the hottest part of the day. You can also use tall, bushy marginal water garden plants like Dutch rush to create a screen to prevent the sun hitting the micropond too fiercely. The trick is to submerge a brick in the pond, and balance the marginal plant in its pot on top.

As with any water feature it's not a good idea to position your micropond beneath a overhanging tree as you won't want leaf debris building up in it. A patio that doesn't get too hot is an ideal spot, especially if you plan to sit and watch the pond skaters. Alternatively consider putting the micropond in a flowerbed to keep the pollinators happy.

2. Choose Your Container

You can make a micropond out of anything that will hold water but the best materials are stone, metal, fibreglass and ceramic. Plastic is another good choice but after a while it can become brittle, especially if exposed to the sun. So it's not a good choice for a micropond longer-term.

Usually a free-standing round feature in a shallow bowl or planter, miniature water gardens can also be rectangular or square, as well as sunk into the ground. Occasionally they're created using repurposed items like galvanised water tanks or cattle troughs, or the bottom half of a sawn barrel then lined with a waterproof membrane like this pond liner from Amazon.

Modern formal bowl-style microponds tend to look better in small urban gardens, positioned close to the house, while informal designs embedded in the ground are more in keeping with natural landscapes.

Get your micropond into position as you're not going to be able to move it once it's full of water. Add a layer of clean gravel in the bottom. It's not a good idea to add soil or compost as you're more likely to get algae in the water.

Then fill with rain water as tap water contains too many chemicals. If you don't have a water butt fill your pond with tap water then let it sit for a week or so to let any chemicals evaporate.

3. Add A Selection Of Plants

As when choosing plants for pots or flowerbeds always check any plants you have in mind are the right size for your micropond. It's not a good idea to introduce any varieties that will dominate the pond, especially as it's best to leave at least part of the water's surface area clear.

Think about how much sun or shade your desired pond plants need, as well as the depth they should be planted at. Some like to be placed in a pot at the bottom of the pond. Put these in special aquatic baskets with mesh sides. Other plants like to float on the surface of the water.

The most important plants in microponds are the oxygenators. Buy them tied into little bunches and simply add them to the water where they will multiply. They keep the water in good condition and this means you are much less likely to get algae.

It’s best to buy compact varieties of water plants from a specialist supplier such as Pond Plants of America. Check each plant's label to ensure the suitability for your garden pond or water feature. Look for slow-growing varieties that won't overwhelm the space such as small pygmy water lilies, water forget-me-not, and marsh marigold.

4. Make Your Micropond Wildlife Friendly

Garden wildlife ponds are a great idea if you're looking for ways to make your outdoor space more eco-friendly. The best way to adapt micropond ideas is to make sure wildlife has a way of safely getting in and out easily.

Try submerged landscaping rocks or bricks so creatures can make their way in and out of the pond easily. Alternatively add a wildlife ramp that can simply be a piece of wood, a large stone or brick to facilitate easy access in and out.

Think about adding some small fish to your micropond as they will feast on mosquito larvae and keep them at bay. Try some tiny Japanese rice fish, which grow to about 1.5 inches in length and thrive in small bowls outdoors. As they like to be in a shoal you will need at least 6 of them to keep them happy.

Wildlife will come to your pond of its own accord. Don’t introduce frogs, fish, or even water from another pond as this can spread disease.

5. Add A Fountain To Keep Water Moving

Adding a solar-powered water fountain is another option, and is an appealing addition, especially as they help to oxygenate the water. If you buy one with integral lighting it will turn your micropond into a night-time feature too.

Ensure you buy the right one though. One potential problem with solar-powered fountains is that your micropond will need to be in the sun and this isn't necessarily the best place for it as pond algae can blossom in these conditions.

However, there are many solar-powered water fountain options to choose from. While some panels must be kept in or close to the water feature, other units include panels that can be moved around the garden to make the most of available sunlight.

An easier option might be to add a water spout, or top up with a trickle from the hose regularly to keep the water clear and oxygenated.

Shop Mini Water Features

You could add a bird bath to your garden too, for another mini water feature. Find out where to place a bird bath for a feature that accessorises perfectly with your micropond.

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