How to Make a Wildlife Barrel Pond

Gardening For Wildlife - In this video we look at how simple it is to make a mini wildlife pond or wildlife barrel. We will look at the best plants to use, how to plant your pond and the best way to maintain it. We will also look at what animals you can expect to find visiting.
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[@giennefarcais6834]

I made one and it's already attracting dragonflies, the likes of which I have never seen. One was fire-engine red - found out later it's called a red darter. It scared me at first, I thought it was one of those new killer hornets or some such. Haven't seen any wildlife but the regular birds seem to enjoy it, and I love the variety of plants with their cool names - lizard's tail, horsetail reeds, corkscrew rush, hornworts!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is wonderful to read! Red Darter are absolutely stunning aren't they, I am so glad you are being rewarded for making one of these, they are fantastic and much needed habitat :) Best wishes - Joel

[@cathnewman6516]

This is so helpful if you've never made a little pond before. I especially liked the plant advice - which made it easy to order just the right thing. Thanks for passing on your knowledge and enthusiasm.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you for the encouragement and support Cath, it means a lot and makes a huge difference to me :) I'm so glad this was helpful to you. Welcome to the channel and the great little community we have here :) Best wishes, Joel

[@WildernessTamed]

26 dislikes??? What's not to like? Good work sir. I like how you always show a common lizard in the intro and emphasise the importance of amphibians. As a keen herpetologist I always appreciate it when other KZbinrs encourage their viewers to look after our native herpetofauna.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi. Thank you for commenting and the support. Yes it’s good to encourage all forms of wildlife, especially those that don’t get mentioned as much 😊👍

[@dw3403]

volume?

[@belkyhernandez8281]

Horrible sound

[@weAreNotAloneHere]

Dislikes are good it shows your doing the right thing in this world

[@donnavorce8856]

It's weird to dislike this sort of effort isn't it? If someone isn't interested why even bother clicking dislike? Just move along. Here's a guy trying to help the planet and assist those of us who care. It's all good.

[@margaretalmond9716]

Thanks Joel. Saw you on Middle Sized Garden and been inspired to build a barrel pond. I can't believe I've never realised how important they are. Many thank s.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Margaret :) Thanks so much, and welcome to the channel - you'll be rewarded for your efforts re the barrel pond - hope you're having a great weekend - best wishes, Joel

[@annikalund2329]

Your dog coming in to say Hello is so sweet to me. 7:26

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Annika, that's Sirius, he's a rescue from Romania many years ago now and he was 15 in March but still soldiering on :) I will miss him dearly, I really will but since the age of 2 he's been with me and his life really did get better and better since his rescue. Very best wishes, and thank you again - Joel

[@Mansfield_Motors]

I'm not sure if you have done this, but is it possible to do a quick update video on this barrel, or a video on one that is older and well established? Thanks for the content! **NVM found another comment asking the same thing and found the video.

[@pekaydub]

Thankyou for the inspiration to create a wildlife pond. I’ve taken your advice and planted up my butler sink and it’s fab . Thankyou x

[@vanillaweaselurbex]

Hey, I haven’t commented on any of your vids in a while but I’d just like to let you know I made a barrel pond in my garden yesterday and was totally inspired by your vid. Thx for making such awesome vids!

[@nikkidarling2029]

So excited to make a wildlife barrel! I have a small yard so this is perfect. Thank you!!!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So glad it's been of help Nikki - you will be rewarded in no time, I promise :) Best wishes, Joel

[@Ann-my1dg]

Love your videos, so informative and inspiring. We started gardening to attract birds and bees and after watching you we thought we might as well' go the whole hog' and try to attract other wildlife also. We've already put in a small prefabricated wildlife pond after watching you build a (bigger) one, at the bottom end of the garden and now, after watching this, went out and bought a barrel and some more plants for nearer the house so we can hopefully enjoy watching other little creatures. Can't wait till summer to see what comes along. BTW, was talking to the man in the garden centre today and he was saying there has been a huge jump over the last year in the number of people buying ponds and plants so that's encouraging. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more videos by you.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Ann, so very much - comments like yours make all the difference to me and to know there are more habitats and food sources being made really does make the effort worthwhile - I promise you will be rewarded. There are lots more videos on the channel, just go to "videos" on the page and you will see them all there :) If you need any more supplies I am determined to get everything mentioned in my book to everyone and you can find a variety of beneficial items right here: www.wildyourgarden.com Best wishes to you and yours, Joel

[@SharonNZebra]

My barrel arrived today 💃 Now to obtain plants & an escape stick! Super video thank you 🌻

[@davidjames2145]

Very inspiring. Liked and subscribed. Two tiny requests: Please ditch the backing music so we can hear the birds, and get yourself a lapel mike. Thanks. 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks David, this was one of the first videos I did and the microphone did let it down of course - hopefully now you've subscribed you'll see that the sound/quality has greatly improved and there are lots more helpful videos on the channel - I must admit that when I first uploaded the barrel pond I never assumed it would have so many views and now it's a little late to edit it again, always the way! Thanks for the support and best wishes - Joel

[@simplyyogamo1304]

This is perfect. I bought a barrel late last year so I am now looking forward to creating my own wildlife haven in my garden. thank you.❤️🙏

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You are very welcome :) So glad it helped, there are other videos on ponds and the plants to use that may also be of help - many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it :) Best wishes, Joel

[@chantellerosebud1780]

Excellent video. Thanks so much for this! You have inspired me to install one of these in my garden, as I live in a rented property and just thought I couldn’t have a pond. Now I’m very excited to learn that I can! 😊

[@backyardwildlifetv6990]

This is so nice! I can't wait to make this in my garden and attract lots of wildlife!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you 😊 Keep me posted! 😁👍

[@christinepetersen2513]

Thanks for the video. I use a solar powered pump in my mini pond. It works very well. Just to have a little water movement.

[@m.saxman2859]

This is so inspiring! I have my half barrel and excite to get started in a few weeks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi - glad this was helpful to you - good luck, you will be rewarded for your efforts :) Best wishes, Joel

[@LeeJahn-ih9xu]

I’ve put water mint and cardinal flower on edge of a small dam in front paddock, both doing great and the cardinal has shot up and is quite large, when dam was full had lots of frogs and a crane bird 😮 love bringing wildlife even into my little 3.5 acres, thanks for the video Joel, very informative

[@celinewong4365]

Thanks for the video! You made it look so simple. We went to our local shop and got everything we needed to set one up and it looks incredible! Can't wait to see what wildlife we manage to attract.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic! So good to hear that the channel was helpful to you, thank you for your support and encouragement, it makes it all worthwhile :) Let me know what visitors you are rewarded with! Best wishes, Joel

[@richardhaworth4043]

Thanks for this. I made mine last weekend here in England. Just waiting for some wildlife to show up now! Can't wait to sit in the evening summer sun with a beer and watch things come and go.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's great Richard - I'm so pleased, I imagine whiskey barrel "reclaim" sellers have noticed a big difference in sales in the last 6 or so months! ;) I'm absolutely thrilled there's another habitat for wildlife out there now, you will certainly be rewarded, without a doubt - and not just in beer! :) Best wishes, as always, Joel

[@richardhaworth4043]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton hi Joel. How is your pond doing? I've put tadpoles and snails in mine. Things got a bit smelly so I've added a solar powerd air stone. Also considering a filter as it's a bit merky and there is lots of poo and dead hornwort rolling around. Any thoughts?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@richardhaworth4043 Hi Richard - it's doing ok - I do have quite a bit of oxygenator in there with some snails, damsel and dragonfly larvae too - mine is only in the sun a few hours a day. There have been problems all over with the hornwort and other plants this year due to the particularly cold April - the air stone should help though, mine features in this video of my garden, filmed at end April'/beginning of May - you can see how it's doing there - I've not maintained it at all: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYi0pIKlmrV3Zpo We have a pretty vast array of pond plants on the website if you needed any more: www.wildyourgarden.com Best wishes, Joel

[@kittenpawsbb]

Wonderful. Luv all the clear steps and materials listed to make this pond. I really want a small pond, and I thought I would be way more complicated and expensive. Thank you 🤗🌱

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So lovely to read this :) I'm so glad it was helpful and that you'll now be making another vital habitat for nature, thank you! Best wishes, I appreciate your kind words and support - Joel

[@elephasltd]

Thanks for the clear explanation of planting and plant choices. I just came home with four half barrels to add to our small pond as that's so popular and full of oxy weed that the birds like standing on for safe bathing as no local cats can get them surrounded by water. We have 8 frogs every feb so now we want to extend to damsel flies etc which your ideas will help.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow, thanks Colin - really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice comment :) You are proof that the rewards come quickly when taking nature, and it's creatures in desperate need, into account - aren't the oxygenators great, and save a lot on electricity ;) Best wishes to you - Joel

[@stefs619]

Got really really excited yesterday when I noticed a happy little frog has made my barrel pond their home :)

[@sharibachmann492]

I love your work and Sir David Attenborough. He is my hero

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Shari, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice comment :) Have a wonderful weekend - Joel

[@akipega8075]

Observing the background in the videos I do feel like you live in countryside. What more a person wants other than such beautiful garden and free from polluted areas. Keep maintaining the surroundings beautiful.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Aki, what I wonderful comment, I really appreciate you taking the time to write. Well, not too much in the countryside, it's an urban area but my garden is designed for nature so I allow native trees etc - some neighbour's gardens are very barren with just lawn and not much else - they are entitled to garden in this way of course but I feel I need to work extra hard to provide a haven for nature. Urban gardens can be great oases for nature and a good stopping place to replenish energy and find refuge - I hope you get the chance to do the same, I am always here if you need help or advice - I am so glad you are enjoying the channel - best wishes to you and yours, Joel

[@samanthamacfarlane5528]

I'm so glad I've found this video! Think I've watched it 5 or 6 times already! I'm just setting up a water bowl and this video has been invaluable in helping my choose which plants to buy. Keep up the good work Joel, love the channel and trying to incorporate your suggestions in to the garden.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Samantha, so glad that this was helpful to you, and thank you for the views ;) If you need any advice or help we sell the pond plants/baskets etc and we'll happily guide you on what would be best. You can always reach me on [e-mail] - thanks for your encouragement and support. Best wishes, Joel

[@dinkydog56]

I’ve probably watched it as much or more! I’ve even passed it on to friends.

[@ChopsyMiche]

Thank you sooo much for sharing this. Its fantastic and has given me perfect ideas for my container pond x

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're so very welcome :) Glad this helped and that there's going to be one more habitat for nature - thank you, best wishes - Joel

[@dianearmson5730]

Hello Joel, loved your video and has given me the appreciation of how to get my barrel started as a pond.

[@lavvy2585]

Wow this was so soothing to watch. Thanks for the tip with the stick.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your support, it makes all the difference :) Best wishes, Joel

[@CheshireCat6639]

Brilliant..thankyou Joel..i am definitely going to get a barrel pond..🐸🐝🐞🐜🌾

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

They're such a good resource, they really are - if you need any plants etc then do drop us a line if you need help with quantities/species - [e-mail] - best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@fevkin]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching that and when I get my garden up to scratch, that will be the next thing I do

[@TheGee07]

I had no luck at all last summer with fiber optic grass in my pond; it all just melted away. But the irises are great for the water!

[@sianscountrylife4925]

I've never thought to use a barrel and as it happens I've moved one of my conifers into a bigger barrel ! The one left over will be perfect . Thanks for the video ❤

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You're very welcome Sian, so glad that was of help, I never thought this video would be so popular, it was one of my first ever uploads. Thank you for your kind words and support - best wishes, Joel

[@sianscountrylife4925]

@Wild Your Garden with Joel Ashton Thanks for your reply . 🙂 I have a small to medium-sized garden, and I expect I'm not alone in wanting to introduce water into my outdoor space that fits my need to encourage more wildlife but also recognises the affordability of a barrel pond . There are so many extravagant options out there, and I, for one , can't afford them, and to be fair, I don't have a massive outside area to accommodate them either . I also like the idea of not having an electric pump or solar pump operation . Although the sound of running water can be quite soothing - I have to admit! 🙂🙂

[@thenobledogs]

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed to see! You made my day!

[@fenbraund1316]

Thank you so much for posting these fabulous videos Joel. We have a very small garden in a rented property. After watching this video I was inspired to have a go - and we now have two barrels. They give us so much pleasure and we were really excited when the frogs moved in for the summer last year. Surprisingly I have developed a fascination with freshwater invertebrates (land-based creepy crawlies make me shudder). We're very much looking forward to seeing what happens in them this year. THANK YOU :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much Fen, I really do appreciate you taking the time to leave such an encouraging and kind message, it really does make a difference to me :) So pleased that the barrels are giving you a new found joy - keep me updated on what visits. Best wishes, and thank you again - Joel

[@ev1677]

Did you build a ramp for the frogs to access? Just wondering as I'm building mine now

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@ev1677 Hi there :) Mine was more for damselflies, dragonflies, birds etc but you can certainly build up with rocks/bricks around the outer edge, or even a wood stack - but do ensure that they can get out once they're in of course. Not sure if it would work where you are, but it's easy to dig a hole and "sink" these barrels for hedgehogs to access water too, again just ensure that if they can get in, they can definitely get out :) I have two ponds so that's sufficient for the other creatures, hence mine not having anything around the outer edge. Hope this helps - if you're in the UK we can provide all the plants/baskets etc at www.wildyourgarden.com - best wishes, Joel

[@ev1677]

@Wild Your Garden with Joel Ashton yeah thanks mate that was my exact idea, I have plenty of dead wood lying around I can make a ramp with and will search outdoors for some large rocks etc, i am making it exactly the same as this and just ordered the plants from you so I think if I am lucky enough to get frogs they will be able to climb up the plant baskets to where the ramp is the same way they got in, just popped you an email about a mini bog garden container idea too, hope you're enjoying the sun mate and thanks again .

[@grt7093]

Fantastic video. Tried this out a few weeks ago and all was well but now have green algae growing. I'm going to try and get some more oxygenating plants and some of those snails this week. Hopefully all I need to keep under control. Lovi g the feature in our garden. Thanks

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - the pond plants are just about waking up now, but the reason the barrel has algae is due to the sun and warmth no doubt. The oxygenators should come back to "life" so don't be too disheartened yet. I'm desperate for the plants as I have so many ponds to go back and plant up. But not long to go now - I'm so glad that you've made one and are reaping the rewards. If you do need plants and you're in the UK then we're happy to advise if you send an email to [e-mail]. Best wishes, Joel

[@Mary-zm3tm]

Thank you for your video - the set up you created is beaut! I’ve just bought the plants you shown. I’m off to woods to collect a few dropped branches - So excited to get our pond set up 🐸🐞🐝🦋🪲

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Mary, so much. If you haven't gone to the woods yet, please look carefully as some of the dead wood may already be home to creatures - what I advise people is to contact their local tree surgeons, as they will have branches from trees they've already cut down and be happy to give them to you before they end up in the chipper - but this way the unfortunate tree that has been cut down, can still provide habitat to wildlife. I hope this helps and thank you for your kind words - best wishes, Joel

[@SomePotato]

I've only found your brilliant channel after setting up my balcony pond. But turns out, it fits your advice quite well. Marsh marigold, water forget-me-not & marsh cinquefoil in the back, a yellow iris a little deeper in the water, small white water lily (Nymphaea tetragona) and european frog-bit for coverage and of course hornwort. I don't expect many newts or frogs on my balcony, but the insects, snails and (not exactly wildlife) medaka quite like it. With the fish in there, I put an extra layer of small lava rock at the bottom to increase the surface area for bacteria.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

This is wonderful! :) Well done and it sounds like you are already being rewarded for your efforts - waterbodies like these are such an important resource for many creatures. I really appreciate your support, thank you :) Best wishes, Joel

[@AndrewJulianPhotography]

I’m totally making one of these!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Andrew Julian Photography Great to hear 😁👍 Feel free to post some pics when you’re finished

[@johnmurphy3215]

Great video, thank you. I’ve got a half barrel ready for this season 👍

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's brilliant John - they're great sources, make sure you put a small log or piece of wood in, I bet it won't be long before the damselflies and dragonflies turn up - good luck and you know where I am if you need any help - best wishes to you and thank you so much for your support - Joel

[@johnmurphy3215]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@mettebjørnskou]

I love it :-) Been watching a ton of your videos and my own little garden here in Copenhagen has begun a wonderful transformation. Thank you! ❤️

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Mette! This has made my DAY :) I am so pleased that the channel has reached you in Copenhagen and that it is helping to make even more habitats for wildlife - if there's ever a time when you need advice then do please leave a comment and I'll do my utmost to help - thank you so much for letting me know - best wishes to you and yours - Joel

[@nellythree]

What an informative video, thank you, I would love to have a barrel pond, I will do this one day, thank you, here's to nature and everything wonderful living thing♥️

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you for your lovely comment, I really do appreciate it - it makes all the difference :) I hope you are able to do a pond soon and that it is successful, I am sure it will be - best wishes to you and yours, Joel

[@GazianoOutdoors]

This makes it look so easy, I'm definitely going to give a small barrel pond a go 👍atb

[@rosethorne9076]

I've been gifted the smallest ever Belfast sink in the world. It had a fern growing in it which I've repotted. Your video was very useful . I think I'm going to have to buy all miniature plants. Thank you for your tips.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello there :) Even the smallest of water bodies can help, we will have pond plants available in the next few days, they are later in waking up this year due to the colder weather in April but do check out the website over the weekend, descriptions will be full so you know how small/large any plant will grow :) www.wildyourgarden.com Best wishes, Joel

[@sherry-pz6yx]

Hey Joel, I bought a container the other day and added water and some plants and already got another container! I love it. I have been looking at a lot of your videos. Charleston, South Carolina. United States

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hello again Sherry :) So glad to hear this, you will be rewarded by the many visitors for your efforts - thanks so much, Joel

[@sherry-pz6yx]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton , I checked the first container I set up the other day on the ground but nothing yet there. The water is looking really clean with the plants in there and the fountain going. Do I just sit back and relax and stuff will find it? What will it attract? I will send you a picture of it. I set the other one up on a table in front of my bedroom window so I can see the water and hear it from my bedroom window. Will that one attract anything since it is up on a table? I guess it will eventually. I am trying to put a lot of rocks in there so the birds will come to it. It is deep in some parts but I did put a few bricks in there. I will take a picture of that one too. Thanks for all your help and I am going to do what I can for wildlife. I am learning a lot...thank you!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

@@sherry-pz6yx Hi Sherry - birds for sure and I bet it won't be long before you have dragonfiles and damselflies visiting - do keep me updated, would love to know what rewards you receive for your efforts :)

[@lynnrushton7458]

Great idea! 💜

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Lynn :) I hope it's inspired you and there is one more habitat for nature now - best wishes, Joel

[@ian_corbett]

Was trying to decide if to use my half barrel for veg or plants this year then I came across this👍 thanks for the inspiration, plants and everything ordered really looking forward to making a wee pond.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Ian, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a positive and encouraging comment, I'm thrilled that you'll be making one and a vital habitat for so many of our creatures desperately in need :) Bet wishes, Joel

[@ian_corbett]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton love the channel keep up the good work

[@ShirleiBarnes]

Cool!😊

[@japanblonde]

Today I bought most of the items, tommorow I ll finish. Cant wait😁😁❤️

[@suep2014]

Fab video. So clear and helpful. I can't wait to get started.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Sue - that's really kind, I appreciate it - and I'm so glad the video has proved helpful. We have stock of pond plants if you needed to purchase any - you can find a vast array (and those mentioned) at www.wildyourgarden.com - best wishes, Joel

[@Alpha01889]

Arey dami dami👍

[@williamtaylor2412]

LOVE THIS

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks William - appreciated :) Best wishes, Joel

[@monicaericsson9558]

. I have a big pond, but wouldn't mind having a "barrel pond" so pretty!! .❤️

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Monica - I would recommend it :) Well done for having a big pond too, I am sure you are rewarded already with the life that visits - but a barrel pond is nice in a seating area to enjoy, many damselflies and dragonflies visit too and you can see their beauty close-up :) Best wishes, and thank you - Joel

[@ravvers00]

Love watching your videos , I have one wildlife pond which is currently teeming with thousands of tadpoles & plan to do another wildlife pond at the end of my garden as I have a colony of slow worms - & even though I have a large garden I just have to get a barrel pond too :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Absolutely you do :) They're a great talking piece, great for viewing wildlife and a great habitat - I have slow worms too and I think one features in one of the videos, can't remember which one now! This is so good to hear though, thank you for creating so much habitat, it seems you are being rewarded for every ounce of effort :) Hope you've had a good weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@ravvers00]

Thanks Joel , I have been trying to find enough house bricks , I now have 5 - it is 6 you used wasn't it - two rows of 3 ? I have a nice sized contour planting basket & have made a list of all the plants you used so next steps are ordering the aquatic soil & gravel before ordering the barrel . I've got loads of hornwort in my wildlife pond so that's one less plant to buy . It must have been you that inspired me to put a couple of branches over my pond for the dragonfly , I will search for a nice branch for the barrel pond before I set it all up , all the best , Grant @@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton

[@jfoz7602]

This is great can’t wait to make my own 👏

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So glad this was helpful - you'll be rewarded with dragonflies and damselflies and lots of other life :) Best wishes, Joel

[@sunnydazewithdawn350]

Lovely video. This is just what I’ve been wanting to do. Great help to me!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That's great Dawn - another habitat for nature too :) Really pleased this was helpful - best wishes, Joel

[@sunnydazewithdawn350]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I created a simple one and put a few minnows in. I love it! Videos like yours were very helpful

[@richard281150]

Very nice; love to see you do this as a bog filter for a pond together with the necessary plumbing?

[@shaktikumar3643]

Im inspired to watch your every videos now I'm working for making wonderful garden including pond for wildlife species which is significant for ecosystem.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much Shakti. Please keep in touch and let me know what you create 😊 I appreciate your support 👍

[@Wolfmedicine]

So inspired by your easy to understand video. Thank you and can’t wait to create one.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you Kim for your support and encouragement - I wish the sound had been better but I didn't realise until I had uploaded it, and to be honest never thought this video would get the views it has, it was one of my first :) There are lots of other ideas on the channel I hope you find useful too. Best wishes to you and yours - Joel

[@Wolfmedicine]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton looking forward to exploring more ideas on your channel and thank you again ❤

[@morganemasson9834]

Hello, I am french, my English is not super extra good but I love those videos. I planned to recreate this barrel pond on my new terrace. I wonder if it could be possible to get a written list of what it used/needed because it's really hard for me to catch just by listening. Thank you soon much for those amazing videos 🥰

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Morgane - do send an email to [e-mail] and I can send the list to you with the latin names so they are easy to source where you are :) Thank you for your kind words, I understood them all - best wishes, Joel

[@irmabronder]

Starting one barrel pond next week. This video was very helpful. I hope to attract a lot of different animals. Much love.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

So pleased to hear this Irma :) Another vital habitat for many creatures. So glad that this was helpful to you - I hope you enjoy the channel and have a great weekend, best wishes - Joel

[@irmabronder]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Every day is a gift. Enjoy your day Joel. Much love.

[@anoopcharuvil3109]

Beautiful really beautiful 💜💜💜💜💜

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you 😊👍

[@moomoon1410]

Super!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you 😊👍

[@mhassanpasha7753]

God Bless you and your family .. Bravo .Very nice ...Heart Touching.....

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you so much - I really appreciate your kind words Hassan. Best wishes to you and yours - Joel

[@karenhart4316]

Thank you for encouraging life to survive with all the knowledge you share great little pond 🙌🥰🌱🦎from The Land Down Under 🇦🇺🐨🦘☺️

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Karen, thank you so much for this - one of the first videos I uploaded, they have improved in quality since then I hope but it's so good to read your kind message, it really does make a difference. Very best wishes, Joel

[@Narnendil]

Great video!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thanks Narnendil - very much, really appreciate it - Happy New Year to you - best wishes, Joel :)

[@ltyrell405]

I have a barrel pond which I planted many years ago with a dwarf water lily and apart from some blanket weed that needs clearing every few months, it has survived and flowers every year, would be nice to have more lily flowers but I suppose it's not got that much room, we had some frogspawn in it last year too :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Fantastic :) In this video you will see how mine looks a year later, it's still the same two years on but if you go to around 14 minutes in you will see an older one and then the one I made here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYi0pIKlmrV3Zpo Best wishes - Joel

[@peppiace]

Joel, enjoy both your pond and barrel videos. Keep making nature better. The pushback I get when talking to others about these pond ideas is mosquitos. How do you manage keeping mosquito population under control in these still water ponds?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Pep - sorry for the delay - just catching up with everyone, it's the busiest time of year for us at the moment. However, all these water sources will attract larger insects, amphibians, birds and bats and they take care of any excess of mosquitoes (whether as larvae or adult), of course that does depend on what country you are in as I understand some countries have more of a problem than others, but nature does balance itself and I have no real problem with them here in the UK, and of course I have this barrel pond (and another older one) and my pond - the more insects, the more other creatures are encouraged :) I hope that's helpful Pep, thanks for all your support, it's appreciated! Best wishes, Joel

[@tracybyrne7407]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton I live in NE Spain and made a barrel pond a couple of months ago. It's now absolutely teeming with mosquito larvae! Still no sign of frogs, unfortunately. I was thinking of getting a couple of very small fish but I'm concerned they'd eat the rest of the wildlife I'm trying to attract, plus the water might get too hot for them in summer, even though it's in a shady spot. I realise you're based in the UK but any tips would be useful!

[@nikkireigns]

@@tracybyrne7407Mosquito Bits or donuts!

[@ev1677]

​@tracybyrne7407 first year the pinds ate usually colonised by mosquitoes, I've built mine this year following this video and have hundreds upon hundreds of them bur actually enjoy watching them move around. I've recently seen new life, water fleas. Thus is just the nature of a pond, it takes a year or two for other animals to find it and a balance to be set by the food chain amongst them. Don't be discouraged, more creatures will show up season by season and restore some balance.

[@salehonghong5855]

perfect ,, excellent .. great bosque .. I really like inspiration ...

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Wow. Thank you very much 😊👍

[@brianmcallister7114]

Excellent step by step instructions

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad it was helpful Brian - really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a positive comment - best wishes, Joel

[@timcarrington5977]

Thanks Joel, for reminding me I want one of these. I live near Toronto and it gets down as low as minus 25 some days in the winter.Would the plants survive for the following Spring in those temperatures in a barrel? I’ve ordered over 80 10cm native plants (thanks to your inspiration) to put in my little patch (picking them up next Saturday) , and some them are wet or bog loving plants, So I can put them in the barrel. I’ve inherited a huge log on the property (probably 2 metres long by 60cm across) I think that will be good up against the barrel for creatures to get in and I put a piece of driftwood inside for them to get out. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hey Tim :) I absolutely love receiving messages like yours. If the plants are native then I'd assume that they will be ok in those minus temperatures (not sure I would be!) if they survive in the "wild". With the barrel there is always the option of taking a few of the more delicate plants and keeping them in separate buckets in a sheltered, less cold place - normally a lot of the oxygenators will sink to the bottom and become dormant over the winter, that's what happens here and then they come back in Spring to do what they're best at. I'm so thrilled the channel has encouraged you to get your hands dirty - you will be rewarded for all this work, I promise :) Best wishes - Joel

[@wyntersteele1a]

It turned out lovely. Glad that I watched this video because I probably would have tried to put the plants straight in the barrel(embarrassing). People really can have a small pond anywhere.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

That did make me laugh! But I am glad the video is helpful, I know that you will be rewarded by many grateful creatures if making one :) Best wishes, and welcome to the channel - Joel

[@sarahgracesings]

Can wait to do this come spring! Any advice for overwintering the plants in zone 7?

[@lizzyla7]

I'm in New Zealand. How can I avoid a plague of mosquitoes in a barrel pond. Loving your channel and really enjoying encouraging wildlife to our garden. Our grandkids have helped with the pond, insect hotels, lizard lounge and a butterfly beach is next on the list🙂

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you lizzy. I would encourage insects and frogs that will eat the larvae 😊👍 Glad you’re enjoying the channel and great to be encouraging the grand children too 😁

[@ozdigg9254]

Wonderful, thank you :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

You are very welcome :) I hope this helps and inspires you. Best wishes, Joel

[@tippy7831]

I'm jealous of areas that can do this! Where I live you could never have standing water or the mosquito population would go from bad to completely unbearable.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Tippy - not sure where you're based but we don't suffer huge numbers of mosquitoes in the UK, like some countries of course. But the birds, amphibians, bats and larger insects (dragonflies etc) that are attracted to these ponds certainly make an impact on the mosquitoes and their larvae :) It's best to have 60% coverage with floating leaved plants as this keeps the pond clear and with the oxygenating plants prevents any algal growth. Best wishes - Joel

[@des8616]

Tippy, if you add some small minnows to your pond, they will also feed on the mosquito larva. That's what I have in my little tub pond on my patio, here in Texas.

[@historyhunter5215]

I swear I got 3 inches of air last night just using the hose to water my garden.... It's not even summer yet either... 🦟

[@theriverwhanau3496]

Lol I live in Thailand so I hear you!

[@andreal2625]

Try Mosquito Dunks

[@Christian-vz3we]

Fantastic channel. Have a very similar barrel prepped and ready to go. I've been wondering whether there's an alternative to installing bricks for elevation to free up space in the pond. I was thinking either pond safe adhesive or hollowed out square planters so they act more like a four legged underwater pillar. Any suggestions welcome!

[@davidjames2145]

Depending upon how handy you are, you can fabricate supports from suitable pieces of flat metal that hook over the sides of the barrel and support the baskets. There's a million ways to do this, but if you don't fancy trying it then ask a blacksmith or handy friend to make them for you. Another alternative is to use engineering blocks which have holes in them. Place them on their sides and the holes become a refuge for small animals. I also spread a small layer of tiny gravel on the bases of my barrels as a substrate for nymphs to hide in. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@smartideas7956]

Your garden is so beautiful

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Thank you - really appreciated :) Best wishes, Joel

[@smartideas7956]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshtonThis is a beautiful product..So I like it

[@user-gk3qg9ln5e]

THANK YOU

[@neilwhitehead166]

Great video it has encouraged me to try one. I would strongly recommend adding declorinator at the start plus any water changes conducted during maintainance. If not, you will kill any beneficial bacteria and wildlife that is in there.

[@MistressOP]

I wish he would do more ASRM wild life stuff

[@glennettedanforth8052]

Hello I just came across your video and really enjoyed it. I have 4 container ponds and two in ground ponds and I got some great ideas from you. Thank you. In the barrel pond, what was the last plant you added that came from another pond? I did not catch the name of it. I have koi in my inground ponds and just plants in the container ponds and I get a lot of various insects. I have a blink camera on the pond and am able to see who visits in the night. I enjoy every aspect of pond gardening. Thanks for all of the good information and I look forward to watching more of your videos. I live in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon.

[@jennybuxton9388]

My 2 barrels arrived today :) Fab video very informative, just a little quiet with the volume.

[@Fingolimod]

Hi. Thanks for the videos. Your channel is great. I’m sorry if this is explained in the video and I missed it, but what sort of maintenance is required for this? I’ve seen anecdotal reports of people ending up with rancid barrels of foul liquid acting as more of a biohazard than wildlife haven!

[@lizzyanthus1]

Very nice video, thanks! I was so glad to see you put the log in. I had some uncovered rain barrels once, that I didn't think at the time to put something in, and I found two little bats, drowned one morning. I was heartbroken, and after that have always put something in for critters to climb out on. I love the log though, it's perfect! Do you add any little fish to your barrel ponds? They'd be good for the plants, adding nutrients for them. Also for mosquito control? Thank you again, loved the video. Very informative.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Lizzy - sorry to hear about those bats, but you actively sought to prevent that happening again :) I don't add fish to these ponds, purely because the nutrients can cause the water to become murky and encourage algal growth. Funnily enough, the bats, birds, amphibians and larger insects (like dragonflies etc) that are attracted to these ponds soon make a dent in any mosquitoes and their larvae. You can of course put small native fish in these ponds that won't grow to any significant size - so glad you liked this video and thank you so much for your support, it's appreciated :) Hope you're having a great weekend Lizzy - best wishes - Joel

[@lizzyanthus1]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Thanks for your reply. The not putting in fish reason makes sense. Hope you had a great day too!

[@allie8572]

Hi Joel, love this I have just created a wild flower patch at the top of my garden and am enjoying creating things for wildlife. I am going to add a barrel pond soon, with excess alcohol do you leave the water in for a length of time each time so it soaks into the barrel to help get rid of it?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there Allie - so good to read this :) I rinsed my barrel about 3 times, fill it up each time and let it "soak" for a while - you'll be able to tell once the alcohol has dissipated as it will no doubt have a greasy appearance across the water during the first couple of rinses :) We have all the pond plants and accessories needed for this barrel pond at www.wildyourgarden.com and you are welcome to email us there for any advice or help of course - best wishes, Joel

[@joheanley1293]

Thanks so much, Joel, for this video. Brilliantly explained. One question, would it be possible to add a solar fountain? I mainly all just because I love the sound of a fountain :)

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Jo - so glad this was helpful and has inspired you to make another habitat for wildlife, you will be rewarded :) You can add a small solar fountain of course but do ensure it is wildlife friendly if it is filtering water, these are available on line - I hope this helps, best wishes and thanks again for your support and encouragement, it means a lot - if you are in the UK and you need the baskets/plants etc you can find them here: wildyourgarden.com/product-category/ponds-accessories/ Best wishes - Joel

[@lizzyla7]

I'm in the process of making a little container pond, do you have any tips for avoiding mosquito problems? I'm in New Zealand. Love your channel 👏

[@norcalniner]

Great idea and one that I will be adding to my yard. Is there anything I could add to the barrel pond to help fight mosquitoes?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there, so glad this was helpful - the best thing about these ponds is that they attract wildlife and that will be birds, amphibians, bats and larger insects such as dragonflies and damselflies who all make a huge impact on mosquitoes and their larvae - you could add a few very small native fish to the barrel if you have a higher number of mosquitoes in your yard but do ensure they are the smallest species - hope this helps, and welcome to the channel where there's lots more info :) Best wishes, and have a good weekend - Joel

[@joshuaralph9140]

HI Joel! Thank you for the video, just have a question though. We have all the plants in (only ones we are waiting for is the floating plants) but for some reason the water have become quite cloudy/merky. We have three different oxygenators in there so wondered if you had any idea what might be causing this? Or will it become less cloudy over time? Thank you!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Joshua. Thank you for getting in touch. It may be a residue that has seeped out of the wood from when it was filled with alcohol. Best bet is to empty the water and refill. You may need to do this 2/3 times until the water stays clear. Keep me posted 👍

[@westieboy4145]

Hi Joel. Thanks for the great video. I have 2 questions. 1, is now a good time to makes this or am I best to wait till next spring? And 2, I wanted to use a pump so I can have the sound of running water, what effect will this have on the wild life I'm trying to attract? Thanks, Shane.

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Shane. Thanks for watching. 1. Now is as good a time as any to make one, although some of the plants might not be available until next spring. 2. A pump may put off frogs from laying spawn, as they prefer still water. If it’s not a big flow, you will still get dragonflies and damselflies attracted to it 👍 Hope that helps 😊

[@purplepumpkinMD]

Thank you for the inspiring video. I have two questions: (1) Does the barrel ever overflow during heavy rains? And what should I do about it? (2) What are the procedures in winterizing the barrel pond and getting it ready for winter?

[@bidadash]

this is a fantastic video thank you - if you fill your barrel pond with tap water do you have to worry about the chlorination?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - rain water is best, but takes a while to glean, but any chlorination will dissipate in a couple of days :) I used tap water for mine and it's been absolutely fine, the plants are all beginning to wake up now - hope this helps - you'll be rewarded with wildlife for your efforts. Best wishes, Joel

[@paulvickers3391]

Hi Wayne - thanks for the VT very helpful. My half barrel once I fill, the water keeps going a milky white colour after anfew days - I noticed yuor was burnt inside as well is it the charring that's causing it - any suggestions apart form lining the barrel?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Paul Vickers it would be good to perhaps empty the water and refill and leave for 2-3 days. If it comes back again, repeat the process until the water stays clear. Hope this helps 😊👍

[@dylanalexander6172]

Hi Joel, loving the video. Have inherited a large half barrel planter with soil still in it . Do I need to clean out the barrel and Where are the plants you list available from?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

ツDylanOn60FPS Thank you! I’d clean the barrel out then top it up with water and let it swell up for a day or so until it’s water tight. The plants are available from most garden centres and a lot are selling online at the moment. Let me know if you get stuck 👍

[@jenmooney16]

Thank you, Joel, for inspiring me to create a wildlife barrel pond. I have a very large faux wood (plastic) barrel in which I was going to plant flowers, but NOT NOW! But is it okay to use a plastic barrel and is it okay for it to sit primarily in sunshine? I don't have a lot of shade. Thank you so much!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi Jennifer, thank you so much - I really appreciate your kind comment, it makes all the difference and I'm so glad it's inspired you :) A plastic barrel will work just as well, in fact you won't have to wait for any alcohol to evaporate - as long as you have sufficient "cover" over the water, like fringed water lily, and oxygenators they will work well to keep it clear, this barrel is in semi-shade for a short part of the day, but the other barrel I have is in direct sunshine and keeps clear fine :) I am not sure if you are in the UK but in the next few days we will be selling the pond plants and oxygenators now they're establishing again - if you go to www.wildyourgarden.com over the next week you will see them on the site :) I hope that is helpful to you but let me know how you get on - best wishes, Joel

[@jenmooney16]

@@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton Sadly, Joel, I'm in the U.S., so I will have to find my plants locally, but I so wish I could order them from you! Thank you for being so helpful with your advice. I have a backyard tiered rock garden that takes advantages of natural rock ledges, so my new barrel pond will be a part of that area. I wish I could send a photo when it's ALL done! Keep making videos so you can inspire those of us who are (sorry, but I have to do it) across the BIG POND. :-)

[@user-og9mf5ql4q]

好棒好可爱好漂亮好好👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🏆💐💐💐👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🎉🎉🎉

[@HaloXIIII]

Hi Joel, Love the video really helpful! I'm in the process of creating my own version with a slightly bigger barrel. Is there any rules you'd recommend following for numbers of oxygenators?

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Hi there - I'm more than happy for you to send measurements/a photo to me at [e-mail] and then I can recommend the best species and quantity for you. I hope that this helps, best wishes - Joel

[@cherylbeswick7327]

I would love to see what it looks like now

[@keeleyg2636]

I really enjoyed this video and it's encouraged me to develop a fresh water pond. One request, please mic up so we can hear you over the wildlife instead of the other way around. Thanks!

[@WildYourGardenWithJoelAshton]

Glad you enjoyed this Keeley - apologies that the sound wasn't good, this was one of the first videos I made and the microphone wasn't good at all - to be honest I didn't expect this short video to be so popular but I have definitely improved now - hope you enjoy the rest of the channel :) Best wishes, Joel