Pond with no liner, up-down-up in 2022

[@sam-vb5rg]

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]

Yes, and someone suggested to call it a wadi, then it's fine that it's dry in summer!

[@kayreynolds3801]

I was thinking the exact same thing. A seasonal pond is better than no pond. 💚

[@OnkyoGrady]

@@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]

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.

[@tammydeschenes4857]

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]

How lovely is that 💚

[@martincooper9982]

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]

Good point Martin, dew ponds

[@l.d-h3841]

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]

We have one near us, here in the North, we used to skate on it when I was young.

[@theacadiangarden]

Kind of like vernal pools!

[@pootle8139]

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.

[@lisabevans8107]

I love that you brought in the tadpoles. I also love that you are truthful about your pond experience. Ty Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚 Lisa

[@franziskani]

@@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]

Indeed, I agree totally I admire the way in which Charles works through the problems.

[@thelittleholding]

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]

Oh wow! Good adaptation and thanks for sharing.

[@andykyriakides2144]

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]

Thanks Andy, for now! 👍

[@MUSTASCH1O]

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]

💚 nice

[@tkol123]

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.

[@ginnyross7289]

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. 👍

[@ThyCorylus]

Bentonite is also used to encapsulate nuclear waste canisters in geological storage facilities! Versatile stuff

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

!!

[@mgoh1984]

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]

Amazing experience and thanks for the idea 💚

[@yinqin5432]

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]

Oh wow! 💚

[@Qopzeep]

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]

Good point 😂!!

[@annaczapla6708]

Podoba mi się ten pomysł. Jest Pan człowiekiem pełnym życia, radości. Lubię oglądać Pana filmy i czerpać pozytywną energię . Pozdrawiam serdecznie.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

To takie miłe, dziękuję!

[@sharonadlam3195]

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]

Thanks Sharon 💚

[@walbiramurray5762]

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]

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!

[@odette8905]

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]

😀

[@inharmonywithearth9982]

You can keep buckets with sticks in them around and raise a lot of tree frogs. The tadpoles eat mosquito eggs.

[@jcking6785]

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.

[@aroe3714]

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]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Ayse-dl2jo]

Yay! Finally. Whatever it turns out to be, its done and its wonderful.

[@philipwilson4025]

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]

That is nice Philip

[@whileriding]

There is something incredible about ponds in the garden. We added a toad pond last year and had tadpoles in our first year

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Brilliant!

[@bobgreen2460]

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]

Cheers Bob!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Being natural with no liner seems to correct itself over time.

[@gl15col]

The bottom may sink as the wet clay settles in around the rocks, but it may well fix itself after a few years.

[@thehillsidegardener3961]

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]

@A R I'm down to try that, I have both materials in abundance :)

[@TJtheHAWK]

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]

Sounds great!

[@orunnolafsdottir8203]

Love the idea and what you are doing. Looking foward for development on the pond🙂

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

I was toying on doing a pond on my land for raising ducks, but it is still a dream. well done Charles.

[@permanick]

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]

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]

@@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.

[@ftoftheX]

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]

Ah thanks :)

[@fishermans1friend]

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 😊

[@ironix1]

A great project and I have built many ponds over the years. If yours ever dries out again, it may be worth digging and installing a small butyl liner in the middle. A sort of pond within a pond. This will afford any fish, amphibians, reptiles, etc, a wet sanctuary, if it were ever to happen again in the future. I look forward to see it's progress.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Andrew-sanders]

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]

Thanks, had better put in an order, but I wish we had dug it deeper!

[@paulineverheij]

I am looking to create a plastic-free pond myself so it was wonderful to watch your video. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and your passion for wildlife!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Paul

[@ernestthesmallholder559]

The same problem here in Wales. We get most of the year's rain in the winter season, even our lawns are waterlogged, that is why we have raised beds for our crops. In the summer, we lose a lot of our pond water. We do have pond liners on our 2 small ponds - they are raised slightly above ground level with rocks holding it into place. You have dug deep to get natural surrounding rain flow into your pond; What ever you do - Do not add pond liners in your case as the next rainy season will lift the liner to the surface unless you hold it down with heavy rocks around the edge of the pond under water - We're been there.

[@ernestthesmallholder559]

PS: Our frogs usually lay more tadpole larva, some survive the birds.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is a super helpful final comment! Thanks so much and it makes me feel better

[@OriginalRaveParty]

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 😊

[@vincenttoomey8620]

Hello from Ireland Charles! This is a great idea. I've long thought about how a pond could be added to my father's field with no natural water sourse and without a liner. I dislike the idea of a liner for large ponds as it unnecessarily adds plastic and may leak eventually. I came across Geoff Lawton before saying he was trying to gley a leaky dam using ducks. Their manure falls to the bottom sealing the pond eventually. I know some people have also used pigs to gley a pond. I always thought if I was to undertake it as a project I'd try get a few ducks, give them a home and in exchange try get them to seal a leaky pond for me.

[@vincenttoomey8620]

Edit. Just seen where you mentioned that was already suggested to you. Still though, check out Geoffs success with it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Vincent. You must be the hundredth person to say this over my two videos! And others have said they tried ducks without success. One farmer said he used larger animals like pigs, and that worked over a period of years, not instantly. In my case, if there were ducks, they could not be too resident because we have a lot of foxes. I'm coming more to the idea that it can be a winter pond, a wadi, and maybe dry in the summer, but still good for wildlife. I hope that you feel encouraged at least, there are so many options! Another one is lining it with old silage.

[@jennyjohnson9012]

Oh I just love it! The wildflowers too are a joy. I only have a small pond but I look in it every day. It's totally frozen at the moment. I cant wait to see your pond come to life in Spring Charles. Even a puddle helps wildlife!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Jenny!

[@frankbarnwell____]

Congratulations Mr Dowding.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you kindly

[@darrenwalker905]

Thank you for the update. I have frequently wondered how you've faired with this project.

[@familygardener2019]

Brilliant to see an update on your pond , im sure one day you will get the water to stay

[@CraftEccentricity]

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!

[@snideremark]

My sister bought a property here in VT USA. It had this beautiful stream coming down from the mountain in the spring. We were all so excited, but it inevitably dried up over the summer. It came back just before it started to freeze up. It will be enjoyable when it flows.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! Great water I imagine

[@chompers11]

Really awesome concept. Thanks for sharing the process

[@ADAWC]

Gorgeous! 🎉 Tranquil❤ and peaceful! ❤This pond will gradually bring a village of insects and creatures. That is so joyful!🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for sharing!🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@beelerfamilyfarm]

Glad to see the use of the bentonite. I think it’ll be your best chance of a natural pond. Thank you for the update!

[@magnuskarlsen4390]

It'd be an idea to plant some cattails or reeds along the banks here Charles, aquatic plants have a tendency to form roots and debris that will help seal cracks. In the olden days my grandparents made ponds by digging a hole and filling it with leaves and soil in a lasagne like manner, the rotting leaves would eventually form a clay like substance which would create a natural pond. Cattails and reeds are also perfect for dragonflies and a whole host of other aquatic birds and insects, most of which are endangered due to habitat loss.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you, Magnus. That sounds possible if I had known before! I'm actually quite happy with how it's going, and clearly there are more options!

[@Im-just-Stardust]

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]

Sounds great and funnily enough, we just planted some willows! Good luck with your forest,

[@lyndaturner6686]

Fingers crossed it holds water this time Charles, it’s a wonderful project and a nice addition to your beautiful garden.

[@la-paz-divers6039]

Love your closing sentence

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 💚

[@lilpipskweek6448]

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]

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]

More options! Shall see

[@Kittykatkw2000]

So happy to see you have water!!! :)

[@patgentry7268]

Great update! With inches and inches of rain coming off the Pacific, it’s good to hear the tale of you needing and getting rain for your pond pursuit. The story of learning to appreciate the complexity of how ponds are, wherever they are! What a wonderful yin/yang to go along with your work on Homeacres, looks like it will keep you young for a while yet. Happy January, may you soon hear the frogs, as I did here last night.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you, Pat, and why are frogs already! I must keep my ears peeled!

[@patgentry7268]

Frogs come early in Sonoma County because little if any frost. They are a great orchestra by Feb/Mar, and rarely heard after June.

[@royormonde3682]

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]

I empty a 1000 L IBC into the pond in May, the level did not go up much!

[@royormonde3682]

@@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.

[@abidhajher7076]

Patience and persistence, both qualities you seem to have in abundance. What an inspiration. No doubt you will be rewarded for your efforts.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 💚

[@zielonerabaty]

I love this channel. Thank you Charles

[@SleepyKittens]

Grateful to you to consider wildlife's need for water resources and sharing your projects. I am inspired. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks

[@FATMAN_tactical]

I think if you give it some time it will build up more fine silt and clay giving it better water seal each year.

[@yvonneboerema2782]

hi Charles,we moved house to a big garden with a pond. it has a liner but leaks and the lvl is never full so i planted up the rim of the pond with plants that are nativ.after 5 years it looks better and better with lots of wildlife.Deer are drinking from it birds ,todes frogs,amphibians ,waterbugs dragonfly you name it its all there and its a joy to have.we will not fix the liners and the water go up and down and its fine.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Yvonne, thanks for sharing, lovely to imagine that

[@jiggli-Jane]

Great job Brendan! 👏 I'm hoping to create a wildlife pond this year, so I'll look into your suggestion.

[@mk-xq1tt]

Lovely place.

[@vicBellamonkey]

Beautiful and with pond and wildflowers it brings in butterflies and 🐝 bees🥰❤️

[@markshaw5835]

Amazing pond looks great do so much for the wildlife

[@tolsen4893]

I have my fingers crossed for you! I've always loved ponds! I was so chuffed this year to find 2 lots of frog spawn in the one I dug here, as well as some dragonfly nymphs and greater diving beetles! Nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing nature appreciating your effort!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So right, how wonderful 💚

[@smas3256]

Primary Water. Call me crazy but all continents float. All those flowers, producing seeds. Great job. Looking good Charles. Thanks for sharing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Love it

[@smas3256]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig There is an endless supply of water under the ground. Libya for example. Oil wells go dry for periods of time but then fill up again. There is an endless supply of Natural gas also. Where I live private property is so controlled it takes endless permits to manage our own property or dig a pond.

[@oliverdaley934]

No Liner! its the only way to go! beautifal pond

[@saschathinius7082]

Even a pond that is only a part-time pond is a kind of a natural habitat that will improve bio diversity alot...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I reckon and thanks Sascha

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

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]

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

[@adiem1653]

Hopefully Charles it starts filling the cracks somehow and stays filled

[@franziskani]

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]

Yup so right. I like the sound of his creek running through!

[@prubroughton2327]

i love a pond for all the life you get

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

Great follow up. You can also try to seal the soil compacting it with a plate compactor.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great idea

[@jeshurunfarm]

I'm enjoying your pod experiment. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 cheers Justus

[@TransdermalCelebrate]

Really happy for you, hopefully in the coming years, it’ll develop and become more established ❤😄👍, Always a pleasure and joy, Kind Regards David 👌👍

[@cliveburgess4128]

I'm thinking and hoping, in time the sediment will build up until it holds water, the whole area looks great, I love it!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Clive

[@artifactartstudio107]

Best of luck with this project. I too want a small pond for wildlife. I have what I call a dry creek in my backyard. It flows constant and steady all year and then goes bone dry in July. With hardly any rain in the summertime it doesn’t flow proper again until late September. In my own mind I love the idea of having the pond fed by the creek, but I foresee the pond going dry when the creek goes dry too. Thanks for all the info.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Exactly!! Is ok

[@ximenaisabeljimenezgalindo9044]

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]

Muchas gracias! 👍

[@dn744]

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]

Very cool! / Warm!

[@chrisgait5533]

I do appreciate the honesty of your videos, pointing out the problems and possible solutions Thanks BTW would rice work?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 no idea but we can't grow rice, too cool

[@angelcastro3129]

very pretty dearie... I wonder if maybe using soil compactor may help set the clay? I will be using a walk behind compactor to prep my driveway, I imagine it would do the same for your pond. In any case its lovely and I love the splashes of color in the wildflower meadow.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😎 thanks

[@Thomas-hm4ec]

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.

[@oliverdaley934]

we did ours with a 8 wheeler muck away straight out of London, the clay worked a treat!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@mudoh2131]

Great project, I wish you well with it. It will bring huge joy when you finally achieve it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I hope so too! 💚thanks

[@joeb8167]

Wonder was your final word in this video, Charles; that is what I love about you and your channel- always exploring new interesting creative projects which push the envelope! Not settling for status quo, but striving always for more amazing productivity with realizations and explanations! Thank you sincerely!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yea! Thank you!

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

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.

[@stevelawrie7087]

Awesome!

[@shekhar_sahu]

Personally I like no liner ponds only. They are natural, recharge water table, look nice, can grow water plants, support animals well.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nicely put

[@saharzie]

Doing the same in Leitrim in northwest Ireland - was going to get a liner, but got quoted €1600 and when I came back the pond was full of rainwater, so let's see if it takes!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@jpeel2066]

We have dew ponds here on the Yorkshire wolds which are very similar to what you have created. They do dry up at times. Great video. All the best 🇬🇧.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool, thanks

[@AndromedaClubChannel]

Would be great to see an update! I imagine with all the rain we've had since Autumn that its full at the moment?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

thanks and yes!

[@anniinglucksdorf960]

Thank you so much for sharing about this project, your struggles and successes. This is looking good right now! Like many stated I do hope as well the pond will selfregulate. Bentonite sounds like such a great idea! We use it in winemaking and it has such interesting qualities! It really does form a paste! Maybe you just need a bit more of it. Looking forward to the developments this year!

[@billiev8705]

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]

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

[@jmd01]

Maybe throw clay dust in when the pond has water? That way, any small leaks may pull the clay into the cracks?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

We tried it John!

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

A really lovely video. How lucky you are to have the space and a pond is the best way to attract wildlife of all kinds. Even with only a large dustbin lid I had 3 frogs every day through the hot weather last summer ! Plus it was great for the birds to bathe in and "our" hedgehogs at night. As you have no liner there must be an abundance of food round the edges for Thrushes (if by happy chance you have any !) Blackbirds, Hedgehogs, Toads etc; But OH the problems with your clay.....I had no idea ! Hope you might bring it all up to date in 6months time - Good Luck.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and I love the sound of your lid! Yes, there are thrushes here, and at the moment they are singing so much, it's wonderful

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Jealousy is a sin I am told, but I am !!! To hear a Thrush again would be such a delight. I have never know such an area devoid of bird song (plenty of monotonous noisy pigeons who make our lives a misery) in my life as here. Since leaving France 6years ago we have lived in this largish village between Wymondham & Norwich, there is farmland all around about 5minutes walk away but birds are scarce. Bob Flowerdew the organic gardener lives not far away and he remarks on the change there has been during the past 10years. Sorry to go on, it just gets me down !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing this and it is very worrying. Things were quite bad even when I was younger. Now they are getting worse still and what you describe is truly horrible. I'm not sure what to say or how to act!

[@JVSwailesBoudicca]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Nor me, the feeling of helplessness it gives me is miserable.

[@marxagarden]

I’ve been looking into building a pond without a liner and the overwhelming amount of information available says it’s not worthwhile. Thank you for providing this valuable information for those of us who want to reduce the use of plastic in the garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck and delighted to help, enjoy the ride, and tide!

[@richardharwood4796]

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.

[@mwmingram]

Yay! Pond update.

[@mwmingram]

Loved seeing the evolution of this. Thanks Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great thanks :)

[@alexandersolla]

So glad to see you got your hands on some bentonite. Trying to understand the nature of how bentonite swells and lubricates can be a lifelong pursuit. Speaking as a potter, the stuff is fantastic!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes! Thank you Alexander

[@Lepotagerdesgourmands]

Bonjour Charles intéressant , belle endroit🙏🙏🙏

[@fungusv375]

Hello, interesting about the clay and at, in our area of Essex it's recovered marsh land, and we have a whole mix of soil types. Now some of the ditches are on gravel but still manage to fill with water there is the over soak away but not all of them. I've lived here all my life, so you ask how is the water holding? The general reply it is natural water plants that just get blown in or that and as they have mixed hedging the leafs and sticks etc overtime make a form of seal. They will dredge the but left it till they hit the black stink as then it could break the seal. So would like leaves and rushes and grasses in the pond help as is would be similar to the no dig to a degree. I'm not sure if my observations and convocations are helpful.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much, and this makes sense, a black seal! Maybe it will happen, and those are interesting observations from gravel.

[@fungusv375]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig it when it smells it's not silt, but it is like better, you have the gnats and mozzys east coast, 21 inch rain a year average, even when you think it's dry it's not, and listening to no dig and the permaculture leaves and that and with these reeds still doing well in 42c heat south facing mild yellowing. I am not sure how it works, but the roots of the planets must be like a matt so reducing the the flow to the gaps add no dig in water it is kind of making sense. The answer is always hidden in front of us, we look, but we don't see. Wow! Oh, yeah, like water is a thicker version of air (yes it's simple, but this is how we see it). If you have Gypsies (Romany) they are a good community to get the old information from. Yes I talk to farmers, people that had generations in the same place and Gypsies they live from the land. At this point, i don't know if I can help more. i have started no dig and wow the change in the wildlife even the ground looks happy and the spiders tons and ton of spider but i hate flies so welcomed lol.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@fungusv375 😎 great thanks

[@teatimetraveller]

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]

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!

[@iTeerRex]

It’s a wonderful feature. I know nothing about it, but what about underwater vegetations, to lock the ground up with roots?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@iTeerRex]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Mr Dowding, your assistant just smiled at me, but didn’t say anything 😂

[@iTeerRex]

The top layer of an adobe roof top is an inch of clay mixed with chopped up hay, and it stands up to all kinds of extreme weather. From heavy rains and 40C summers, to heavy snows and -20C temps. Over time tho, in this case, the hay may decompose. So if the hay was replaced with underwater vegetations, the root structure will only improve over time. Anyways, just a suggestion, I know nothing about this topic.