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A person planting a pond plant into a small pond

© Penny Dixie

Wilder Gardens: water

How to add water to my garden

It's not just for drinking!

Water is an essential factor in ensuring the wildlife in your garden thrives. Many amphibians use water for shelter and breeding, and birds use it to bathe and remove parasites. Butterflies get valuable minerals from slightly muddy water.

You'll find different ways of adding water to your garden below.

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Image of Blue tit drinking water - copyright gillian day
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How to provide water for wildlife

All animals need water to survive. By providing a water source in your garden, you can invite in a whole menagerie!
Wildlife pond at Gosling Sike
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How to build a pond

A wildlife pond is one of the single best features for attracting new wildlife to the garden.
a man helping to create a small pond for wildlife
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How to create a mini pond

Even a small pond can be home to an interesting range of wildlife, including damsel and dragonflies, frogs and newts.
close up of wildlife pond life
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How to install a water butt

Water butts lower the risks of local flooding and will reduce water bills by conserving the water you already have.
Tap running
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How to conserve water

If we all do our part in saving precious water supplies, we can make a huge difference for the environment.
Bog asphodel - a yellow bog plant - copyright andrew walter
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How to make a bog garden

Instead of draining, make the waterlogged or boggy bits of garden work for nature, and provide a valuable habitat
A top down view of magazines and guides on a wood background, with wildlife and people images on the front
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