Toddler proofing your plants, part two: ponds

As some commenters have indicated in my previous post on toddler-proofing the garden, ponds are widely considered a no-no with small kids. There's a really good RoSPA factsheet that explains why and lays out the precautions you need to take if you decide to have a pond when there are under-fives around. There have been many tragic cases of toddlers drowning in just a few inches of water, so you really can't be too careful.

Having said that, I do know a couple of people who have largeish ponds and small children and have never had a problem - they just keep a very close eye on them when they're outside. Personally, I wouldn't be happy with that approach, and I think a covering grille of the necessary strength and size to make a pond safe would make any pond a bit of an eyesore.

But I have been wondering about a container pond - a small watertight pot of some sort, with just two or three water plants in it as a little feature on the patio. There are some examples on the Gardeners World site and at Haute Nature. The only downside for me is that it probably won't be big enough to support any fish, which I'd love to have, although this blogger in Karachi seems to think it's possible with a big enough container. The benefit from a safety point of view is that the child can't fall into the pond as it's not at ground level, and if the child does develop a big fascination it's easy(ish) to move the container to a spot where they can't get at it.

Comments

[Louise]

I am surprised Jane that you didn't mention your own experiences of falling into ponds as a child. I can think of two for starters.

[Jane Perrone]

Ah, I can always rely on my sister to dredge up some childhood embarrassments for a public airing!

I remember the time you told me to stand on the icy pond, assuring me it would hold my weight (I didn't question why you wouldn't do it yourself), then promptly finding one leg hurtling straight through the ice - even I wasn' foolish enough to venture out on two legs.

But I can't remember a second incident - falling into a canal lock, yes - but a pond?

[Matron]

I remember falling in a pond trying to catch tadpoles! terriffic fun and I came out covered in blanketweed! Seriously though, I have seen wonderful water features in wooden barrels, good idea.

[Louise]

when you were about 2 you fell into Grandma's pond at 126 Doyle gardens. you came out looking like the creature from the black lagoon - covered in green slime.

[Simon Kirby]

Hi Jane

My home pond is in the front garden. I don't have kids but the issues are the same with dogs: my dogs have the free run of the back garden and are closely supervised in the front garden. I have gates that I shut so the pond isn't a danger to passing children.

I put a fence around my allotment pond.

I've pictures of both on my blog - there's a pond section.

In my back garden I've got a big pot with stones supported on a mesh and a couple of pottery fish with a small pump in the sump. It's very safe but you still get the sound and sight of moving water. No real fish though! I'll put a picture of it up for you.

It's possible to support a substantial steel mesh under the surface of the water where it isn't visible, though it takes a bit of engineering. It's not too hard in a formal pond but the raking bank and curved edge of wildlife pond make it tricky.

Any standing water is a hazard to children - that includes barrels, water butts and even buckets. There's a very good argument for covering all allotment butts - our site's are uncovered and they're at perfect toppling height for a small child.

Last thing: ponds can also be a big danger to wildlife, hedgehogs especially. Make sure that wildlife can climb out easily - and most formal ponds are terrible in this respect.

Cheers, Simon

[HelenHaricot]

we have a formal pond and a toddler - and an older girl. and have always worried about it. it was in the garden when we bought it, and we have been v careful with pond advice, and are always out to supervise. in the hot weather, having a paddling pool tends to draw the attraction away from the pond! i would never add a pond though
we have goldfish in one of the waterbuts - we had spare pondweed and they obviously had the odd goldfish egg on them, as when tossed in the waterbut, we were suprised with 11 fish. thought they had all been put in pond, but this year have noticed 5 [still tiny]. we have 9 waterbuts, so not every emptying this one not a problem!

[Kim]

Great link to the How to page on the Gardeners' World website. I don't have space for a pond but would love to grow a few water plants... I may just have a go at a container pond feature for the patio! Great idea, thanks!

[Molly]

The pond in a barrel sounds even more dangerous, because a toddler could climb up, then lose her balance and fall in head down, unable to climb out. Apparently that has happened with 5 gallon plastic buckets with just a bit of water in them. I think constant vigilance is key whenever there is water around.