![]() ![]() ![]() Edges and base can be hidden and the pond softened with the inclusion of rocks and pebbles, and, when the plants go in and around the pond, it will look as though it has always been there!Īnother simple method of construction is to excavate a suitable sized hole, with varying depths, and lay a good quality pond liner in it (check with your local garden centre for the best product). There are a number of pre-made fibreglass ponds that can be simply dug into place, and you can place rocks and logs in one end to create a shallow section. Frogs and tadpoles also need sloped sides on the pond to allow them in and out, and these must not be too steep (they only have tiny legs after all!) or too slippery! You see, tadpoles need sections of deep water (about 50cm minimum) to keep them cool, and sections of shallow, pooled water. One of the most important aspects of frog bog design is variation in depth. Now that you have located the perfect spot for your frog pond, it’s time to get building. If designing your pond this way, be aware that many fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides can do dreadful things to frogs, tadpoles and their food sources, so limit your chemical use in the patch! Get Building – Design and Construction of your Frog Bog In fact, they are used to their watery habitat drying out during summer and so take to the shelter of lush grasses and plants. This makes perfect frog habitat because Australian frogs don’t live in water all the time. Placed in lower areas of your garden, the pond may be fed naturally by runoff rainwater, but the other advantage is that the surrounding ground will stay damp. ![]() When designing a frog pond, it’s a good idea to consider utilising the natural slope of your block, wherever possible. Frog ponds need to vary in depth, with a deep section of at least 50cm (more on that in the Design and Construction section), so be aware of underground pipes and tree roots in the planning stages. In the moisture stakes, a good, frog attracting pond needs a total of about 1m³ of water, so consider this also before picking your spot. Frogs can croak and sing all night and nothing says neighbourhood dispute like a badly placed bog! While we are talking shelter, the adult frogs need dedicated areas adjacent to the pond where they can hang out! Providing rocks, logs, leaf litter and appropriate shrubs will keep the frogs happy and you will be rewarded with a chorus of frog song all night! While we are talking about the frog song, consider your neighbours when locating the frog pond and keep the bog well away from their windows – especially bedrooms. This will ensure that a little bit of algae grows, which is necessary for happy hoppers, and the fallen leaf litter will provide a bit of sustenance for tadpoles in the pond. Ideally, a frog bog would be located in an area of the garden that receives some shade and some sun (about 70% shade and 30% sun). Frogs, like us, need moisture, food and shelter, so consider this when placing and designing your frog bog. There are a few things we need to be aware of before we consider frog bog construction. These guys are hopping mad about habitat loss, and they need our help! So, set aside a piece of your patch, and get frog bog building! Getting Started – Frog Bog Basics Although we have been blessed with a unique frog diversity (Australia is home to over 200 frog species), loads of them are croaking at an alarming rate! Of our frog species, about 43 of them are listed as endangered or vulnerable, and three are presumed extinct. ![]() Like a famous American frog once said, “It’s not easy being green”, and this is particularly true for our amazing Australian amphibians. ![]()
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