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Subject: Re: plants for frog ponds
From: "Gerry" <gmantha@home.com>
Organization: Excite@Home - The Leader in Broadband http://home.com/faster
Date: Mon, 08 Oct 01 01:19:45
Message-ID: <MOD$011008.6324@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$011005.19450@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



"Nicky Williams" wrote in message
news:MOD$011005.19450@rec.gardens.ecosystems...
>
> Please could someone help with some info on suitable plants for the area
> surrounding a backyard frog pond. I live between Cooma and Bombala where
> it gets VERY cold.
>
> Help me help the frogs please!
Good grief, Cooma is cold in winter? Try Eastern Ontario in Canada. You're
so spoiled ;-)

Seriously, ponds for frogs are easy if you ensure you provide the things
frogs need: Protection from predators (not many where you are), food, and
home/environment. Frogs of course need water, and in your Snowy Mountains
they need water deep enough that doesn't freeze in winter depending on your
elevation. Muddy, natural bottoms are preferred that they can dig into when
the weather becomes cold for hibernation purposes. In the spring they mate
and lay eggs that turn into tadpoles. Both need protection afforded by the
stems of plants at varying depths. I'd suggest ensuring your pond gradually
becomes shallow rather than a big drop-off like a swimming pool. Some
species need stems of plants to adhere their eggs to, others will be
free-floating among the vegetation. I'd suggest using native vegetation for
your pond if possible, since this is probably preferred by native insects
and the frogs that feed off those insects. The last thing you want for
frogs is to have everything neat and tidy. Sometimes just letting nature
take its course on the perimeter of your pond is enough. If you want a nice
neat side, consider letting the far side of your pond go wild. Ensure you
let the plants grow naturally several yards (the more the better) beyond
your pond on land too. It affords the young frogs protection and attracts
insects (their food). If you have species of frogs that do not hibernate in
water but only breed there, consider building underground shelters near the
pond parameter with rocks covered with dirt having small openings. You may
want to visit natural ponds in your area to get ideas on what plants grow
best under your conditions. Of course amphibians are *very* sensitive to
toxins, and you should avoid the use of "natural" or synthetic herbicides or
pesticides within 30 yards of your pond. Plus, you need to encourage more
bugs for their meals!

Gerry