How amphibians can be a great help to gardeners
If you’re an avid gardener, creating a frog and toad-friendly garden will help you in your battle against pests – all without the use of pesticides.
Creating a haven for frogs and toads can only benefit your garden ecosystem. They are indicator species and natural pest controllers, and their croaks and ribbits add a delightful soundtrack! More rare are newts but these measures will certainly encourage them too.
Sean McMenemy, nature expert and founder of Ark Wildlife, shares his advice on making your outdoor space a welcoming home for these beneficial creatures.
Creating a frog and toad-friendly garden – build a wildlife pond
Sean said: “A pond is the ultimate amphibian magnet. Frogs and toads get virtually all of their water and part of their oxygen through their skin, making a garden pond essential for their survival. Choose a sunny spot with some shade to keep the water comfortable and provide a cool retreat.
“Remember, your pond doesn’t need to be huge. Even a small one can make a big difference. Aim for a depth of at least 60cm in one area, preventing it from freezing in winter. Use natural materials like stones, pebbles, and logs to create gentle slopes, ensuring easy exits for young frogs, newts and toads.” For more on wildlife ponds, read my guide. Here’s more on wildlife ponds for city gardens.
Add the right plants
To protect amphibians from predators, plant foliage around the pond’s edge for cover – a mix of marginals, oxygenators and emergent plants. When planting a pond, it’s important to include different classes of plants. Canadian pondweed for small ponds or hornwort and water soldiers for larger ones are oxygenators. Emergent plants, such as arrowhead and flowering rush, use up detritus, preventing algae growth. Marginals like brooklime and yellow flag iris provide cover, food, and habitat.
They also need shelter away from the water – consider adding a toad abode or frog house. These hideaways provide the perfect retreat for amphibians.
Creating a frog and toad-friendly garden – Be a little untidy!
Tidy gardens offer little to wildlife. Let part of your garden grow wild to provide a safe haven for frogs, toads, and other beneficial creatures. Let the grass grow longer in one area, allow leaves and branches to build up in a corner, and plant native wildflowers and grasses.
Wild areas mimic the natural habitats of amphibians, offering them protection from predators and harsh weather. Plus, these areas attract insects and other invertebrates, providing a ready food source.
Create a compost corner
Compost is like a gourmet buffet for amphibians. It attracts invertebrates that frogs, toads and newts love. From slugs to worms, these creatures not only make a meal but also create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Compost piles offer a cosy sanctuary where amphibians can find refuge, especially when they crave a cool, damp hideaway. Place your compost heap in a shaded position for a consistent internal temperature. If you see any frogs, toads, or newts nearby, tread lightly or they could be frightened away.
Creating a frog and toad-friendly garden – Ditch the pesticides
Sean added: “Amphibians are like nature’s own pest control squad, gobbling up slugs, flies and snails. Frogs are particularly great friends of the gardener, scoffing hundreds of bugs and caterpillars every day. By consuming low-lying pests, they help keep plants bug-free from the bottom, tackling critters that birds can’t reach.
“Frogs and toads are equipped with thin, breathable skin that allows them to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. However, this same permeable skin also makes them vulnerable to harmful substances like pesticides, posing risks to their health, so make sure to restrict your use to not only protect amphibians but also the wider environment.”
“To attract them, simply create an inviting habitat using the steps mentioned above. With a little effort, you can make your garden a haven where amphibians feel welcomed and right at home!”
For more expert advice from Sean, and to browse Ark Wildlife’s range of solutions for wildlife, visit www.arkwildlife.co.uk.
