Hey everyone! I recently moved to a new house and I'm excited to work on my garden. My next project is digging a wildlife pond. However, it hasn't rained in over a week, and there's no rain in the forecast for the coming week either. I'm torn between wanting to dig it now and waiting for rain to help fill it up. But I'm also worried that the ground will dry out too much to dig if I wait. If I don't dig this weekend, I won't have another opportunity for about three weeks. Should I just go for it and dig it this weekend?
3 Answers
I say go for it! It’s still early in April, and while it may be a bit dry, it shouldn’t be impossible to dig. Plus, it's a great time to start a wildlife pond! You can always use collected rainwater to fill it up later, and starting now gives you time to plant things once it’s dug.
Dig away! I actually dug mine during January and February, and although it was wet, I had to rush to get the liner in before the next rain poured. I think you’ll find some moisture once you dig down a bit. Just maybe keep a water butt handy for when it rains again.
Definitely start digging! Even though it’s dry on top, you’ll likely find plenty of moisture an inch down. Just fill it up using your hose to start, and let it sit for a week before adding plants or wildlife. You’ll be fine!
Just a heads up on using tap water—make sure to let it sit outside for a few days beforehand to reduce chlorine levels. It’s okay to fill it initially, but avoid topping it off later with chlorinated water.