Actually an ephemeral pond (meaning it will dry up during summer) is actually still pretty good for some wildlife like common toads for instance. So even if it does not retain water throughout the year you have still got an amazing hub for wildlife right there
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Yes, and someone suggested to call it a wadi, then it's fine that it's dry in summer!
@kayreynolds3801
Жыл бұрын
I was thinking the exact same thing. A seasonal pond is better than no pond. 💚
@OnkyoGrady
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig salamanders etc.. as well. I have no idea where you are located but here in the Neast US pretty much any temporary water location (with leaf litter) is a breeding ground for salamanders. You might want to consider encouraging a bit of bottom debris.
@OnkyoGrady
Жыл бұрын
side note, we also don't need pond liners here, so I have no idea if the same species would be present on account of how different the environments are.
@martincooper9982
Жыл бұрын
I once read something about natural ponds in southern England which form over winter through spring, and then dry up over summer; they have their own ecosystem that has built up around what that offers instead of a continuous pond.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Good point Martin, dew ponds
@l.d-h3841
Жыл бұрын
I agree. The same is true in our dry grassland ecosystem here in North America. I have had the same kind of pond goal for a long time and have just been thinking maybe it should be a seasonal pond instead. The native plants we have here are accustomed to a temporary dry dormancy from time to time and recover easily enough.
@fionamcgregor4268
Жыл бұрын
We have one near us, here in the North, we used to skate on it when I was young.
@theacadiangarden
Жыл бұрын
Kind of like vernal pools!
@pootle8139
Жыл бұрын
we have quite a few of them in cornwall. Mediterranean temporary ponds, or seasonal ponds. They are wet long enough for amphibians to do their thing, but dry up in the summer. The cool thing is that because they dry up coompletely the sediment dries up and blows away, so they don't get filled in over time.
@ginnyross7289
Жыл бұрын
I agree there is something good about the natural interaction of water with soil beneath. I have just been learning about Betonite clay through Geoff Lawton. So glad you have too. 👍
@lisabevans8107
Жыл бұрын
I love that you brought in the tadpoles. I also love that you are truthful about your pond experience. Ty Charles.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
💚 Lisa
@franziskani
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig thanks for keeping us updated. I also find the comment section very interesting, you have become a hub of information. Not only what you know and try out, but you also attract the knowledge (and helpful links) of your audience. If we ever get around to building a pond we can build on your experience too. (Note to self: hire mini bagger, dig deep enough and have bentonite at hand - a lot of it).
@chrisgait5533
Жыл бұрын
Indeed, I agree totally I admire the way in which Charles works through the problems.
@tammydeschenes4857
Жыл бұрын
My father had 3 ponds that we raised fish in. They didn’t have liners but were fed from natural springs so water always stayed at high levels. Loved the time when the frogs were in their mating season. We would keep our windows open to listen and fall asleep to their wonderful sounds.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
How lovely is that 💚
@andykyriakides2144
Жыл бұрын
From a muddy puddle to a pond , and now a mini lake . Very impressive Charles , great job , the local wildlife will be very grateful to you .
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Andy, for now! 👍
@thelittleholding
Жыл бұрын
We have had a similar experience with our natural pond, except we gave up in the Spring and decided to turn it into a sunken wild flower meadow instead due to it being so dried up (& hosting a wedding next to it so needed it to look pretty)... only for it now to absolutely full of water again thanks to all that Somerset rain😂
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Oh wow! Good adaptation and thanks for sharing.
@fourdayhomestead2839
Жыл бұрын
Being natural with no liner seems to correct itself over time.
@gl15col
Жыл бұрын
The bottom may sink as the wet clay settles in around the rocks, but it may well fix itself after a few years.
@thehillsidegardener3961
Жыл бұрын
I am hoping so, I would like to have a pond but we have very sandy, soil, hardly any clay at all, I am hoping that over time organic material will come to "clog the pores" so to speak and form a natural lining. I also REALLY don't want a lined pond if I can help it but I don't know how realistic a goal this is.
@thehillsidegardener3961
Жыл бұрын
@A R I'm down to try that, I have both materials in abundance :)
@annaczapla6708
Жыл бұрын
Podoba mi się ten pomysł. Jest Pan człowiekiem pełnym życia, radości. Lubię oglądać Pana filmy i czerpać pozytywną energię . Pozdrawiam serdecznie.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
To takie miłe, dziękuję!
@shekhar_sahu
Жыл бұрын
Personally I like no liner ponds only. They are natural, recharge water table, look nice, can grow water plants, support animals well.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Nicely put
@tkol123
Жыл бұрын
Ancient Slav technology in creating ponds was lining the hole with a few inches of horse manure, then they waited for it to turn slight greenish hew, and fill the pond with water. Can't really atest to it, though. Buy or rent some ducks. Their manure performs the same function.
@ThyCorylus
Жыл бұрын
Bentonite is also used to encapsulate nuclear waste canisters in geological storage facilities! Versatile stuff
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
!!
@MUSTASCH1O
Жыл бұрын
I get the impression Charles wouldn't have gone this far with no dig if he didn't know how to enjoy the process of learning and discovery. I hope he can find that same joy embracing the journey towards a more permanent no plastic pond. As others have said, vernal ponds are precious wildlife resources of their own, so this pond is already a wonderful resource for wildlife.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
💚 nice
@CraftEccentricity
Жыл бұрын
I have a one acre natural pond. I have heavy clay soil which holds the water in. Frogs, fish, and snapping turtles in mine. The blue cranes love it!
@ftoftheX
Жыл бұрын
As a roofer, Id say you need a base of damaged clay pots (or old broken up clay or even slate roofing tile) and about 4" thick of the bentonite clay over the entire surface. The bentonite clay will stick to the clay pottery really well.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Ah thanks :)
@fishermans1friend
11 күн бұрын
1t of bentonit cost about 700€ here in Germany. To get a 4 inch or 10cm coverage I guess one needs about 100kg per sqm. This means for a 6m x 6m pond area it takes 3,6t of bentonit. 2.100€. Not sure about how many old clay pots it would take 😊
@orunnolafsdottir8203
Жыл бұрын
Love the idea and what you are doing. Looking foward for development on the pond🙂
@Qopzeep
Жыл бұрын
Just stop calling it a pond and start calling it a wadi! Though I understand your frustrations, there is something really wholesome about your pond following the seasons. And in its current state, it's still helping wildlife tremendously. Thanks for this honest video! :)
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Good point 😂!!
@jcking6785
Жыл бұрын
There’s something kind of magical about water, even a small pond. If you build it, the critters will come. Thanks for the update, Charles, and here’s hoping the pond seals and holds water.
@TJtheHAWK
Жыл бұрын
Very inspiring Charles. I have a hard enough time keeping water in my 10sq foot water fountain in the middle of my flower bed. I too do it for the wildlife. Seems like I get more frogs and snakes in the years I keep it consistently filled.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Sounds great!
@walbiramurray5762
Жыл бұрын
If I had a big enough piece of land I would want a big pond too for all the reasons you do plus it would give me a water view. Like many others, I find water to be incredibly zen. At my previous house I was lucky to have a creek behind my house block. All my neighbours had huge high wooden fences, but I took mine down. Not only did it make my block look 3 times bigger and give me a great view of the creek, it allowed the wildlife to move more freely and I got way more breeze into my home. I live in the desert now, and a pond is not practical so all I have is a big bird bath. 😊
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Lovely comments, and I thought you were going to say you have a pond in the desert! That would be something, at least you have a bird bath!
@Andrew-sanders
Жыл бұрын
As long as you have the gravel you will never get it to hold with that small amount of Benit you need about a ton. Given enough bentonite I can make a pond dug in sand hold and have in Arizona. Some ponds we put up to 10 tons in and used a farm disk to incorporate
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, had better put in an order, but I wish we had dug it deeper!
@FATMAN_tactical
Жыл бұрын
I think if you give it some time it will build up more fine silt and clay giving it better water seal each year.
@saschathinius7082
Жыл бұрын
Even a pond that is only a part-time pond is a kind of a natural habitat that will improve bio diversity alot...
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Yes I reckon and thanks Sascha
@johnransom1146
Жыл бұрын
It would have helped to line with screened clay. No rocks or pebbles. Then the bentonite would have worked better. 20/20 hindsight lol
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😀
@sharonadlam3195
Жыл бұрын
What a wonderful project to follow, I wish you well for the pond in the future. There is nothing like having a natural feature such as this on your land. The benefits to you as well as the local wildlife are immeasurable.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Sharon 💚
@skeletalbassman1028
Жыл бұрын
Why should the pond be full all the time anyway? If you want a permanent water feature, put in the liner and do the whole bit. I think there's something nice about a dynamic water feature that represents the state of the environment.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
A very good point!
@bobgreen2460
Жыл бұрын
I’ve been following this project here and on instagram Charles and finding the whole thing fascinating, so thanks for that. Sometimes over years these hollows cure themselves. Glad your avoiding the liner stunt, nasty stuff. Good luck
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Bob!
@adiem1653
Жыл бұрын
Hopefully Charles it starts filling the cracks somehow and stays filled
@huttonsvalleypermaculture
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing Charles and very interesting! I have my own dam here in Australia which has a leak. Tried expensive polymer which didn't help. I am considering using bentonite clay so good to see your experience with it. I have ducks - they're not helping and like you I don't want pigs. The level goes up and down and the wildlife still enjoys it. It is 5m deep so we would need really dry conditions for it to empty. Slowly reeds and other plants are growing and I'm hoping over time that they may help to seal the holes. Anyway fingers crossed for you and me haha - thanks again!! Linda
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Such a lovely comment, Linder, and thank you very much for sharing your experience, I can see certain similarities, and interesting about the ducks - I'm so often told I have to get ducks! 😀 5m is sensible depth
@philipwilson4025
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience with us again sir and I hope that your pond will remain this year and I understand why you want a pond for the wildlife in your area I have been around wildlife for many years and have come to appreciate it more now than ever before.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
That is nice Philip
@abidhajher7076
Жыл бұрын
Patience and persistence, both qualities you seem to have in abundance. What an inspiration. No doubt you will be rewarded for your efforts.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 💚
@jsblastoff
Жыл бұрын
Get some ducks! Ive heard their waste helps seal the leaks and they'll eat some slugs.. maybe..
@oliverdaley934
Жыл бұрын
No Liner! its the only way to go! beautifal pond
@VanderlyndenJengold
Жыл бұрын
My pond has a liner and was holed this year. By me when I was cleaning it I imagine. It has been a hive of life in the past, I'm getting a new liner - more plastic I'm afraid. I wouldn't be withour a pond though. I've three in total. I'd like more.
@odette8905
Жыл бұрын
We popped an old fish tank into the garden and it now has a regular family of frogs 🐸 every year. Such a joy in a small garden.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😀
@inharmonywithearth9982
Жыл бұрын
You can keep buckets with sticks in them around and raise a lot of tree frogs. The tadpoles eat mosquito eggs.
@jiggli-Jane
Жыл бұрын
Great job Brendan! 👏 I'm hoping to create a wildlife pond this year, so I'll look into your suggestion.
@tkol123
Жыл бұрын
Get some ducks. They create ponds with their excrement. It's sticky and does waterproof ponds. If you have ducks, you will have ponds and vice versa.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
And here, foxes eat ducks
@billiev8705
10 ай бұрын
I am curious to know how the pond is doing now, in Nov 2023! I don't know how it's been there, but here just across the Channel in the western Netherlands, we've had near-constant rain.. The space under our dug-in trampoline has turned into a pond, including frogs and toads! With permission from my children, I have left the pump off so they will have a place to hibernate. 😊
@CharlesDowding1nodig
10 ай бұрын
Oh wow!! Yes, it's been wet here as well, around 50% more than usual. The large pond has filled up nicely as a result but does not stay full and on only two days has the level being at the top because it's still reflecting the water table, it seems. Currently about 2/3 full! That's a great idea for your trampoline pond
@nickhammersonrocks
Жыл бұрын
IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S AT LEAST HOLDING ENOUGH WATER TO BATH IN !!!!! THAT’S A POSITIVE !!!!!!
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
I'm not rushing in!!
@das9634
Жыл бұрын
Definitely not enough bentonite for a pond that size. I just used 740kg on a pond 9x4.5m. It's usually about 7kg to 10kg per sqm for clay silt and then more going upwards. I would suggest redoing it next summer so you have a good 2inch thick layer of sodium bentonite over the whole surface. Preferably with bentonite you also want to provide a protective layer on top using either sand or local substrate. In your case you might grind up the base substrate to mix with the bentonite so it forms one cohesive cover.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this, that explains it! Not sure we have time now, it's a wet/dry feature.
@smas3256
Жыл бұрын
Our land is managed in DC. with all the agencies involved. Getting permits, if approved can take a year. As for ponds. You know how land is like gold to farmers and ranchers. If they don't comply, fines, and courts will bankrupt them. Just to build a pond when people with fake authority say no. Not to mention jail and imprisonment. People think we are free in US.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Crazy, and controls are strong here too. I needed planning permission for this pond
@bsdnfraje
Жыл бұрын
Seasonal ponds are valuable, not just for fauna, but especially flora.
@mgoh1984
4 ай бұрын
I understand your desire for the no liner pond and wish you luck. I dug a small one last fall without a liner that is about 3ft. deep and will hold 2 ft. of water where there is more clay and the it's compacted more. Heavy rain will bring the level completely up to the grass but will absorb back into the topsoil when it's dry. I dug it to put the goldfish I use in a rainwater collection tank I use to water the garden. The best thing I did was collecting some plants and a piece of driftwood with algae to put in it from a local river. I was feeding the goldfish when it was warm enough for them to come to the surface, but then winter covered it with ice for a few weeks. When it thawed I thought the fish would be hungry but they were noticeably larger, so I believe the driftwood with algae provided enough biology to keep them well fed. I no longer feed them and they are growing and mating like crazy so I expanded it. I believe I will be expanding it more and more over the years but I love it. Maybe you should try finding rocks or driftwood with algae to put in your pond.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
4 ай бұрын
Amazing experience and thanks for the idea 💚
@PatrickRedifer
8 ай бұрын
I know this is old but i just wanted to say, I work with frogs, and you need to be VERY careful transferring any tadpoles from an offsite source. There are various pathogens to frogs being spread this way causing significant reduction in populations
@CharlesDowding1nodig
8 ай бұрын
Thanks so much
@lksf9820
Жыл бұрын
Hope you don't mind the tongue-in-cheek comment, but you remind me of a modern day King Canute in reverse, it didn't go well for him either 😉 Several things here to note: Whilst ever you don't have enough going in in Summer it'll dry up. So putting plants and wildlife in there won't work and it's a bit cruel to the wildlife really. If you can feed it with a tap then it's expensive (was illegal last year) and the wrong kind of water. That aside, if your video is accurate you didn't put any clay right in the centre so it'll be leaking there. You really need at least 3" of good quality (puddling) clay, even then it'll crack if it dries up and when it refills the amount going in has to exceed the amount being lost until it swells and seals again. Whilst I fully agree with plastic use, remember, you're only going to be using it once - forever so it's not too bad. The other thing to note is not all liners are plastic, EPDM for instance, although the production of that may be as bad perhaps, I don't know.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks. We scattered bentonite in the centre water. The tadpoles hatched. Maybe it dries every summer!
@matthewchapman896
Жыл бұрын
Get some ducks on it.... They will help to seal the pond.
@chrisgait5533
Жыл бұрын
I do appreciate the honesty of your videos, pointing out the problems and possible solutions Thanks BTW would rice work?
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂 no idea but we can't grow rice, too cool
@geirkselim2697
Жыл бұрын
Letting it dry out probably helps keep mosquitoes down. (Do you get mosquitoes? If not I'm jealous)
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
You are right, and we don't have them!!
@jamesalanstephensmith7930
Жыл бұрын
There are many vernal or temporary ponds here in the US! This isn’t your goal, I know but not that uncommon. Many tadpoles develop faster in these ponds (evolution).
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this feedback, and that's really interesting, makes me feel more relaxed about it!
@ismaelmunoz3967
Жыл бұрын
Do you know "Daphnia"?, it's a sort of little crab which clean water. Besides, many amphibian species eat them.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
No, sounds good
@OriginalRaveParty
Жыл бұрын
Give it as much time as it needs and you'll make it permanent and naturally sealed. Super to see it looking better than October 😊
@featherweightfarm
Жыл бұрын
@charlesdowding1nodig You can get a powdered polymer sealing product from an Australian company called Polymer Innovations that you spread on the water and it creates a non porous layer on the dam floor. Worth trying as it's pretty cheap.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, and others have recommended it. I'm not comfortable though, with using a product like that which is plastic as I can tell, and synthetic
@savedfaves
6 ай бұрын
You need to speak with David Pagan Butler, Charles.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
6 ай бұрын
Thanks and I have! Don't want to use a liner on this one
@Im-just-Stardust
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video Charles. Also, adding a few trees around, as cover to create shades, would greatly help until a mud-clay deposit at the bottom. Just like in nature, nature is such a great teacher. I'm starting my food forest this year around my garden and will include a pound in the middle as well, i'm sure I will run into problems too haha. Not so easy without plastics, it takes time.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Sounds great and funnily enough, we just planted some willows! Good luck with your forest,
@franziskani
Жыл бұрын
I think fertilizing the pond in the warmer season (with animal manure) and growing duck weed could help, during the fast cycles some biomass would sink to the ground and seal it over time. maybe the same effect could be reached with well rotted, soaking wet wood particles. Rotted enough that it behaves like soil and will not swim up (testing needed). . Good soil on the clay layer would also be an option. Or just throwing heavy branches into the pond and watching what comes out of it. Fish would love it (they are sometimes imported as eggs in the feathers of water fowl). There would be a slow (very slow) anaerobic processing of wood / soil that could provide some sealing "mud". Duck weed takes up the nutrients very well and fast - so the small pond will not go anearobic. The duckweed (it floats on the surface and is easy to harvest) has to be removed on a regular base, every two to three days. In summer and with lots of nutrients it will regrow really fast. But it is very easy to harvest, and there seem to be special skimmers (Takota Coen made a video on that, he got one later, have not watched that). If duckweed is not used as fodder (it is excellent) then it would be good raw material for composting. It is rich in protein (read: nitrogen) and would complement shreddered wood in the compost heap. Frogs, insects, water snails, dragon flies do not mind if the water has more nutrients, it is just important that no algae bloom develops. Duckweed helps with that, it sucks the nutrients out of the water really fast, so it is able to outcompete algae. See videos of Takota Coen, a Canadian permuculture farmer who has such a pond (it is somewhat larger though than the pond here), no problem with water quality. He feeds manure into it if more nutrients are needed, so the water is not suited as drinking water or for swimming - but wildlife does not mind. A little solar power fountain could help, it adds oxygen. (Takota Coen does not have one, at least not when he made that video in 2019, but there was this extreme heat wave that also hit Canada). I wonder if horse manure etc. could be used to sustain the duckweed production. (Takota Coen fertilizes with a shovel of manure when the duckweed gets less productive, which can happen fast, it is a demanding plant when it comes to nutrients). Manure could be easily sourced ( horse stables etc.) What would happen if the manure contains aminopyralides ? Maybe it would suppress the growth of water plants as well ? Else it would be a good way to cycle such unuseable raw material through the pond to eventually get good and safe compost. (If manure is not an option, urine could be used as well, has also lots of nutrients - just sayin'). Or the litter from a pet shop (from hamster cages and the like ... if the animals have parasites those cannot complete their cycles. Such parasites are very host specific, so even if eggs, larvae survive in the compost and eventually get onto vegetables, they cannot live in humans. (that is the general rule, for instance if cow manure would be added to fertilize a pond or a field, it would be a good idea to not feed those plants to them. But every other animal would be good. The plentyful green material would also boost decomposition of brown material. As Charles tries to rely more on chipped wood to create compost. Duck weed is very good feed with a higher protein content than soy. A Canadian permaculture farmer (Takota Coen - see for instance the video: How We Raise Milkfed Pastured Pork .... ) grows some extra fodder for pigs and chickens (greens) for pigs and chickens. There is a small slope from the barn / feeding area to the pond - if it rains manure is washed out and runs into the pond He introduced duckweed into the pond after he read that it can be used as fodder (and would also prevent the pond from getting anaerobic because of too many nutrients).When it did not rain for 3 weeks he noticed that duck weed production declined - and he put a shovel of manure into the pond - and had plenty to harvest within a day.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thankyou. Actually, I can see algae already, and tree leaves have blown in, so I reckon there's plenty of organic matter in the water, and on the bottom of the pond: what you describe is happening
@DoctorMandible
Жыл бұрын
There are two timeless ways of sealing clay: heat and oil
@FunnySurpriseToys
Жыл бұрын
Hi Friend!👍
@MrBrookcantdance
Жыл бұрын
Can you get marley clay? It is found beneath the subsoil of certain areas and is known for being able block water seeping through.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
I'm thinking to leave it a while to see!
@darrenwalker905
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the update. I have frequently wondered how you've faired with this project.
@chompers11
Жыл бұрын
Really awesome concept. Thanks for sharing the process
@MrDuffy81
Жыл бұрын
So you don’t have winter in Europe like we don’t have it in America either? I hope you’re following the work of Dane Wigington, who is exposing the Geo engineering project going on that is a cover-up for the extreme warm temperatures that we are experiencing all over the globe.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks and I get your point, I have seen Dane's good work
@MrDuffy81
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks for your response Charles. I am so glad that you are aware of what is going on. Keep up the great work. I always enjoy your videos.
@henkjanssen1252
Жыл бұрын
Worst case scenario you've got a pond part of the year, and the rest of the year you are sending all that surface water down into the aquifer which is getting more and more valuable with the dryer summers we have.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Henk, great point
@johnmorgan5495
Жыл бұрын
Charles , its a bad idea to transfer tadpoles from another pond, it brings disease. Frogs will find the pond naturally by themselves .
@TheGuyOutdoors1
4 ай бұрын
What if the frog that finds it brings diseases?
@Josef_R
Жыл бұрын
You can hate on plastic, but it has it's pros and a liner is one of them. And if it weren't for plastic, you'd have dug that pond with a shovel.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Yup!
@Ayse-dl2jo
Жыл бұрын
Yay! Finally. Whatever it turns out to be, its done and its wonderful.
@rubyquinonez5966
Жыл бұрын
mister charly que paso con los patos? 😅..ese lago se hubiera visto mas vistoso hasta peces yo le hubiera puesto! nutritivo para las plantas!
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
¡Hay patos por aquí! ¡ 😂 Pero durante todo el verano, no tuve mucha agua para ellos!
@dn744
Жыл бұрын
I built a pond 3 years ago. I use UV filter pumps to keep it clean, plus that small amount of heat has kept all my plants alive. Lily pad with 2 flowers Christmas day, 3 more open today. Never seen this before. 😳
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Very cool! / Warm!
@jmd01
Жыл бұрын
Maybe throw clay dust in when the pond has water? That way, any small leaks may pull the clay into the cracks?
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
We tried it John!
@jeffmartin693
Жыл бұрын
need a half big truck load of bentanite
@littlethings2023
Жыл бұрын
Have you considered 'gleying' your pond. A process of creating an 'anaerobic' layer of soil at the bottom of your pond, utilising animal manure and/or compostable materials i.e. lawn clippings. I think this process would fit very nicely into your style of gardening, as it is similar to the way you build your garden beds, just backwards... The below is a snippet from Geoff Lawton's Permaculture Design news on 'How to Build a Pond' First, lightly rough up the clay bottom of your pond with a hoe. If you have a supply of fresh animal manure, lay a layer of the manure over the clay bottom. If you can´t get animal manure, using compostable material like kitchen scraps will also work. Once the bottom of your pond is filled with animal manure or other compostable material, cover it with cardboard. Over the next two weeks maintain your pond bottom wet, but not with more than a half inch of standing water. The water will help start the gleying process of creating an anaerobic layer. After a couple of weeks, you should be set to fill up your pond.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks. It was quicker to go with the bentonite, but this is an option if it empties out again
@ninaruss8149
Жыл бұрын
Straw + clay compacted?
@franziskani
Жыл бұрын
A tip from a man that built 2 large ponds (but he has a creek nearby that runs through them and feeds them). He bought a minibagger, dug them out, then "dropped" the shovel of the minibager on the material to compact the loam (not sure if he even had clay). These ponds are also deeper, so I guess he got at more "sealing" material. That was enough for his ponds to hold the water. For the first filling up it was good to have the creek, but he would not be allowed to deplete that creek from its water, if he would lose too much in the ponds. I saw them when they were already well established (for 10 years or even longer). I do not know whether pond linings were even available for consumers then - but the proper high quality liners still cost a fortune (for two large ponds), and I think require very careful handling and installation. Tricky for large ponds. So the no-lining method was much cheaper and easier. He proudly told me that he was able to sell the minibagger after that with a small profit.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Yup so right. I like the sound of his creek running through!
@transcendtodao
Жыл бұрын
If you cover the bottom with fresh cut grass (10 cm), this will over time create a "slime" cover that should "seal" the bottom :)
@Thomas-hm4ec
Жыл бұрын
I have heard of a processes using green leaf sealed with plastic to begin fermentation creating colloidal organic material / clay. 1 gain of clay has 1000 times the surface area of sand thus water retention. Great video. Love this. 6" of bentonite clay no steeper than 30° discover permaculture with Geoff says for natural pond. Because evaporation is greater than precipitation in the summer it's going to be difficult to keep that pond full without shade or lifting the wind or top up. I would consider a raft /raft garden on the surface, vine trellis crop for shade / wind break with willow or bamboo.
@royormonde3682
Жыл бұрын
That's great, I've been curious about the pond. Hope it all seals up over time with dead organic growth being laid down, maybe that will help. I'm working on a second pond in my garden below one I put in many years ago to accept the overflow from the first pond. It too was for wildlife, mostly wanted the frogs and toads which I got many of and still do but ended up also with grey heron and snakes coming in to feed on those frogs, toads and tadpoles, it's quite amusing. Last year during the spring rains I started filling a tank above the garden 1000 litres with a small pump and hose from the pond for use later during those dry weeks mid summer. I think the way things are going here with climate change I'll be expanding my capacity to store by adding another tank next year. It certainly is challenging times for gardeners getting to know a constantly changing climate and how it effects your garden, it sure has here.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
I empty a 1000 L IBC into the pond in May, the level did not go up much!
@royormonde3682
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Ya sorry I didn't mean I was dumping it back into the pond, I was just storing it when the rains were plentiful in a tank for irrigating the garden later.....cheers.
@matthewking2209
Жыл бұрын
Maybe a well to keep it full or dig it out and turn it into a swimming hole using Gunite.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂
@JiLoa13
Жыл бұрын
I have some queries, maybe you could shed light on it. If plants grow in the clay, would the roots penetrate the clay and cause the pond to leak, pretty much draining the pond in the long term? I heard that ducks faces would add nitrogen to the water, improving plant growth and in turn build a better eocsystem, do you know if this is true? If it could add to your vision of the pond? I'm sure there would be spells where the pond would dry up again, would you consider placing a small plastic tub /splash pool of like 100 litres in the middle of the pond to at least keep some of the wildlife like the tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, micro-organisms, etc. alive till the pond can refill again? (Then again it would be counterproductive in the long run to your natrually created pond) I understand your desire not to use plastic, maybe an alternative then. or digging a deep enough ditch in the centre of the pond that wouldn't drain out. I like the idea of the pond and would like to do the same one day. Thanks for the uload and your time.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
So many talk of ducks, and few seem to have actually done ducks, except for one who said it didn't work and made a mess! There's a lot of theory about ponds and great ideas, but how practical they are is the question! Your ideas are good!
@JiLoa13
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks for the response. It's true about all the theories, including about ducks, that's why we need to sift them all through experience till you're left with facts. It's also good to get the input of a knowledgeable person that's thinking is similar to my desires. So thanks for yuour input, looking forward to following along with the pond's progession.
@halsteward1003
Жыл бұрын
Add Cat Fish they will seal it up
@lilpipskweek6448
Жыл бұрын
I admire your tenacity Charles. If all else fails could a compromise be an option? To make the very centre of the pond deeper and use a liner. That way you will have a refuge for pond life in droughts while minimising butyl plastic use. Not that I am against using modern materials sensitively mind you. Thanks again
@patrick_laslett_allotment
Жыл бұрын
Yes I was thinking an old bath sunk in the very bottom would hold enough water when the pond dried out to keep the frogs happy - or as you suggest a liner. However, I do like the natural approach and hope it works in the end.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
More options! Shall see
@rebeccawoodcock7039
Жыл бұрын
Do you know that dry clay and ash wet down forms a water tight bond!?
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
I do now! Thanks
@turtle2212
Жыл бұрын
Sir Charles, do you know wether the tadpoles survived/ fully developped in time?
@turtle2212
Жыл бұрын
Ups, forget this question ... answer is in your Newsletter, sorry my dear Sir Charles.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂 thanks!
@teatimetraveller
Жыл бұрын
Have you considered a gcl pond liner made from bentonite clay? they are used in civil engineering projects to line lagoons, waste sites etc and last for a very long time. also puncture proof. You need a digger to install but easy for an experienced operator to do. not cheap mind
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks. If we had known at the beginning about the quality of this clay, I would've considered it, but it would now be a massive upheaval!
@insAneTunA
Жыл бұрын
Soilfloc Pond Sealant might be the solution for you. Watch this video from a man who had a leak in his 5 acre clay pond and learn how he fixed it. The video is called, Building a 5 Acre Pond! (Fixing a Leak). And the channel is called Bamabass. It is fish safe, and it fixed his clay pond leaks.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thankyou. I saw this video last spring when somebody else sent me the link. I don't feel comfortable with spreading plastic polymer in the water. I understand the logic and yet it does not feel right.
@insAneTunA
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Fair enough. Maybe that you can apply the bentonite now that the pond is filled? The water should suck the bentonite inside the cracks. Maybe that it is worth to give that a try. You had some positive result with the first application, so to me it seems that the most logical thing to do is to apply some more bentonite and see what it does.
@ximenaisabeljimenezgalindo9044
Жыл бұрын
Hola Charles,que hermoso proyecto es realmente hermoso ver la preocupación de tu familia y tuya en el bienestar y equilibrio de la naturaleza ,muchas felicidades 🌷🌷🇨🇱
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Muchas gracias! 👍
@gchrom
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Interesting to see how it was during a drought. Have you considered the opposite scenario, what happens if you get too much rain/flooding? Was looking at Geoff Lawton's channel and what happened when they had the huge floods last year at Zaytuna
@chompers11
Жыл бұрын
He pointed out the overflow pipe, no idea if it could handle a huge excess of rain but probably
@gchrom
Жыл бұрын
@@chompers11 yes, huge excess is what I meant, overwhelming weather events are happening all around the world and so it's something to consider unfortunately
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
We just had even higher rainfall and I've been watching the outflow pipe which is actually not rapid. I can't see that it would make a huge difference and your point is good, one needs to consider all possible extremes, but in the end there is a limit to how much we can prevent all problems
@permanick
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for all the great work you are doing. One of the big issues with the clay layer is that it cracks when it dries. Those cracks act like little drains. Keeping it protected can work wonders. What has worked in many cases is having a sealed clay layer and adding 30-50cm of soil on top. It acts like an insulation to protect the clay from drying and cracking. If you want to increase your chances of success, you can compact the clay layer further before adding soil on top. This should be done with compacting machinery to close gaps between clay particles. Additionally, you could look at the elevation profile of your land and add more slightly sloped ditches to fill the pond during rain events. If all else fails, you can still be proud of yourself for slowing erosion and refilling the groundwater table 💚💙
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Nick, nice to hear from you! I like all those ideas and it's mainly question of what is practical in my situation. I've certainly gained of a lot of knowledge from everybody's comments. And I'm more calm about the pond drying up in summer, if that happens, because so many have been praising dew-ponds for example, and how much they help wildlife, even when not full or water
@permanick
Жыл бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Glad to hear about the support you already got. And you are absolutely right. Every drop that infiltrates and erode away is a good drop. I can't wait to visit some day. Been speaking about it with Alessandro and it's definitely overdue.
@pplusbthrust
Жыл бұрын
I can't wait to watch the mother duck leading her dozen ducklings to water.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂!!
@РоманМу-т1ъ
Жыл бұрын
Сезонный пруд тоже неплохо! Дамба по периметру глубиной до водоупорного слоя (возможно при низкой уровне наклона поверхности - по всему периметру пруда). Тогда тело земли будет напитано влагой - вот основная цель.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Спасибо, и отличная идея!
@richardharwood4796
Жыл бұрын
Get some decent clay in and puddle it in, best chance to stay full. It reminds me of the old dew ponds that you rarely see anymore.
@katiesvegpatch
Жыл бұрын
Also, I really enjoyed John Lewis Stempel's book about Ponds. He writes beautifully - so lyrical.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks
@aroe3714
Жыл бұрын
I love this. It’s such a lovely thing to being to the area. Brings back such fond childhood memories of our ephemeral pond - catching pollywogs and watching birds, coyotes and raccoons visit it! Good job.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@tinkeringinthailand8147
Жыл бұрын
I was toying on doing a pond on my land for raising ducks, but it is still a dream. well done Charles.
@1973kymkym
Жыл бұрын
You should Try ducks, their manure will Stick to the Pond ground. Or organic material which decompose in the water. Geoff lawton says. I live in Portugal, very heavy Gritty Clay. I made a pond in october, no plastic, its notnecessary Here and the water in plastic smells very soon. But it will Took two or three years until its quite thick. it will always leak a little bit, up to 30 percent with natural Ponds. Thats ok, it will fill up groundwater.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Nice work!
@ridingvenus
8 күн бұрын
I’m planning to add treatment’s like a quality drilled well to minimize issues of no liner….also with benzenite also. Also planning for most if not all of my runoff to the pond go through custom systems to filter most heavy soil/mud/plant matter then get it piped under the pond until it exits my systems to pour up & fill it. My mud and plant filter system will be automated to dump the filtered matter for me to use elsewhere.
@ridingvenus
8 күн бұрын
Looks like this featured pond doesn’t have as much runoff issues as I would if I don’t do what I plan..eventually that runoff would eliminate my pond…which is not desirable.
@ridingvenus
8 күн бұрын
I agree the solution would be to add sand before benzonite.
@ridingvenus
8 күн бұрын
Still got this drainage issue? Fine rock then ar least 1 general size sand & redo benzonite would probably be my resolve but I don’t know what typ(s) of soil/medium is in this case.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
8 күн бұрын
Yes it's still a wet-dry feature and I am happy!
@ridingvenus
8 күн бұрын
@@CharlesDowding1nodig good it worked out for you. Sometimes it takes settling to work…sometimes not so much & others need more added like I’ll be doing.
@JoyoftheGardenandHome
Жыл бұрын
I adore water and water features, but for now I settle for little bird baths...
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂
@yinqin5432
Жыл бұрын
I like this. Once I was spooked by a toad during a very hot summer day, all grounds are dry, so there wasn’t any water retaining puddles in the garden, yet it found its way to moisture (from me watering plants). Nature is truly incredible and resilient!
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Oh wow! 💚
@oliverdaley934
Жыл бұрын
we did ours with a 8 wheeler muck away straight out of London, the clay worked a treat!
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂
@Callofdootie
Жыл бұрын
Chemical engineers are the best.
@inharmonywithearth9982
Жыл бұрын
Sodium Bentonite did NOT work for one of my little ponds. I put actual tons in it and it is smaller than yours. I hope you don't spend too much money on it. Mine is a "MONEY PIT"
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
😂😂 but sorry I'm not really laughing, it's just your description! I was fortunate that Brendan gave it to me because he had some spare. I had noticed that it's expensive! And I'm so sorry that it did not work for you, I hope that your comment helps other people and saves them money.
@rubygray7749
Жыл бұрын
It's a thing of beauty when there's enough rainfall to keep it topped up, which there usually is in your climate. But to a Tasmanian accustomed to long dry summers, it's more a puddle than a pond. It's just SO SHALLOW!! I would - and have several times in the past - have dug several metres deeper. Then you should have reached more stable clay, and always have a reserve of water, even in dry times. With a large surface area on a very shallow pond, simple evaporation from the surface by wind and sun, will quickly dry it out. I do agree that natural is better than a pond liner. But there are adhesive liner repair tapes that work under water, not that you need them. I think you could probably get an excavator to dig out the pond several metres deeper, for less time and expense than installing a liner which won't reduce evaporation loss, anyway.
@CharlesDowding1nodig
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ruby. Actually at deeper level, we found rocks as well as clay. I get your point though!
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