Our little pond sits in the middle of seven round vegetable beds.
Creating it was an essential component of Linda’s permaculture plan. Apart from being a peaceful spot to sit and rest, it also provides a home for frogs, tadpoles, dragonflies, damselflies and all sorts of other kindred garden spirits.
At one end of the pond is a baby waterfall, which flows during the day (it’s on a timer). It keeps the water from stagnating, but doesn’t produce quite enough current for me to play Pooh sticks…
Despite being constantly washed over, one brave little plant has managed to establish a foothold…
Lichen is growing in soft colours and curvy shapes…
Green moss is cheerfully colonising the constantly wet stones…
A wide variety of water plants live in the little pond, providing sanctuary for infant dragonflies and damselflies. Somewhat surprisingly, there are almost no mosquitoes in our garden, and we think that’s because the predators in the pond are eating the mosquito larvae before they mature…
The Dwarf Papyrus plant is thriving, with its tufted pom-pom seed heads. Our neighbour Nic dries the flower stalks and then plaits them into handles for her baskets…
Pink Rotalas are only meant to flower between Spring and Autumn, but ours are happily blooming in this mild Sydney winter…
At times of stress, the little pond provides us with a tiny oasis of peace and serenity – we come out and lie on the arched bridge and gaze at the blue sky through the branches of the jacaranda tree.
It truly is my favourite spot in the backyard!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
What a lovely spot in your garden Celia! Such pretty colors and that little bridge is too cute. I was wondering about the mosquitoes…thankfully they are not taking over!
Emilie, it’s a constant source of surprise to me that there aren’t more mosquitoes! Some of the neighbouring yards have heaps of them. We DO have a lot of predators in the garden, though…
I’ve come to realise the pleasure of sitting watching/listening to a pond too. And your photos are a delight, I wish I could say the same for our pond, I’ve a lot to learn when it comes to water gardening!
Claire, the pond is so full of plants that it’s hard to see the water these days. We used to have fish, but they all died off, and we didn’t replace them, as it seems to work well enough without them!
What a lovely spot to soothe away worries. The sound of water is so calming. Gorgeous tour and photos Celia. Xxx
Ali, it’s particularly nice late afternoon or very early morning, when the sun isn’t too high in the sky. Can’t wait to show it to you when you (finally) get up here for a visit! :)
How gorgeous. Beautiful picture of the moss – I’m always drawn to mossy stones.
Sally, the moss is just so intriguing, when you get a good closeup look at it, it’s got tiny little fernlike leaves…
Just lovely, Celia. We had a house with a very large pond and it had a lot of water lilies. I used to find it very therapeutic to sit on its edge and just watch the goings-on. We had fish in it and there were lots of dragonflies and frogs and no mosquitoes xx
Charlie, a pond big enough for water lilies must have been amazing! My sister used to have a huge one with giant koi in it!
It’s beautiful! What a lovely calming place to have in your backyard!
Clare, it’s a really nice thing to have in the backyard! Brings lots of predators that benefit the garden!
It looks heavenly! I would also like to lie on that bridge.
I’ll shuffle over, so we can share.. ;-)
This does look like a beautiful and calming place Celia. Have a lovely Sunday x
Jane, thank you! It was a really nice weekend, hope yours was too! x
Water elements are so calming and lovely. I love the plants blooming out of season and the wealth of dragonflies and frogs you have in your backyard.
I have a garden in the back corner of our yard- I’ve named it a fairy garden and managed to convince my boys that fairies took care of it for me when they were young. Actually I convinced them because I believed it myself for the most part.
I sit back there and think quiet thoughts and sometimes sing little songs- it is my place to be by myself in the yard. I should have probably added a water something- but now I am past the adding part of my life. I am content with what I have. A quiet place to sit and be. :)
Heidi, a restful spot in the garden or backyard is so valuable for soothing the soul, isn’t it? I’m glad you have a magical corner in yours..
How idyllic! May I come over for a cup of tea ;)
I actually seem to drink quite a bit of tea sitting on the bridge! :)
A lovely description to go along with those peace creating photos: would love to dangle my bare feet over that little bridge: would love to listen to the quiet waterfall – thank you for the calming picture . . . .
Eha, it’s a nice space, small people who visit like to try and put pebbles in the pond, and we’re always having to stop them (it really is the tiniest little pond). But it’s very peaceful, I’m glad you enjoyed it! x
Gorgeous photos Celia, your pond is doing well through the winter. Thanks for linking the permaculture reference. I have heard of Linda Woodrow of course but have only come to seriously thinking about permaculture lately. I’ll order this book.
Rose, Linda’s book really set the path for our garden, both in structure and thinking. I think it’s fabulous. The pond is essential to attract predators that keep the pests in check, the chickens garden for us, and it makes the whole low maintenance gardening thing workable for us. I hope you enjoy the book as much as we have – Linda’s blog is here: http://witcheskitchen.com.au/
Looks lovely, Celia. I’d love to visit your garden one day.
Would love to have you Amanda! x
The only thing better would be to lie on that little bridge gazing at the sky with one of those heavenly peanut butter choccies wedged in my bulging cheek – you would be welcome to do the same on the other side:)
Hahaha…we’d need hot tea to wash it down with too, Jan! :)
Can I join the pair of you if I promise to bring some Raspberry Gin with me? Love the lichen and the moss Celia.
Come, come! We’ll have a little tea and gin party! :)
it’s great you have no mosquitos Celia, they’re such a pain to deal with. Thanks for the beautiful photos, enjoy your Sunday x
Thanks Lisa! Hope you had a great weekend too! x
What a lovely little world. WE love our pond and I think that we have all kinds of birds and bugs in our garden because of the water source. Your pond might be too small for mosquito fish, we have bunches that eat the little buggers. Hugs, Maz
Maz, your pond is absolutely amazing, I loved your photos of all the koi in it!
A good read for my Sunday morning, thanks. I like the greens and blues in your pictures. Your piece about the Permaculture plan is equally good.
I’ll be visiting this productive plot one day.
Can’t wait, Peter! All the photos were taken on the Hipstamatic using John S and Blanko Freedom 13. I find it a lovely combo for the garden.
I agree with Mister PB. The lichen is stunning.
Lovely photos, Celia. My little pond is sadly overgrown with Louisiana Iris. I think it’s time to give it a revamp. I love how frogs take up residence as soon as water is available.
Liz, frogs were very late coming to our pond, we’ve only just seen our first one this season. We think we can hear them though – although they’ve been quiet in the colder weather.
How’s the serenity Celia! So lovely and relaxing indeed :) I have to admit I barely go out and about in my backyard for the coldest weeks of winter- with minus temperatures and deep frosts there isn’t much left to see! Xox
Becca, it does get bitterly cold in Canberra, doesn’t it? Pete used to laugh at me when we were first going out – I’d complain about the 10C cold. You Canberrans are a lot tougher than I am! :)
It is amazing how water is always calming … your pond obviously does the trick. Congratulations.
Thanks G, it’s good for the soul! :)
Pooh sticks – such a relaxing game…I have great delight in playing Pooh sticks with my grandsons…they love it…
Bronwen, I’m a little tongue in cheek there, because it really is such a tiny pond with a little bridge – not much movement under there at all.. ;-)
guessed that – but just loved the mention of Pooh sticks! think it is becoming a lost art. cheers
That’s beautiful and so are your photos. I see your winters are a little different from ours!
Pat, I’m not sure I’d cope with a Yorkshire winter! I thought of you when I saw a documentary on North Yorkshire recently – such amazing wildness!
So pretty! :-)
Thanks Sandy! :)
A beautiful area to help keep your garden in balance, and great photographs as usual!
Thanks Suelle! It’s especially appealing to the small people – they stomp back and forth over the bridge like the Billy Goats Gruff.. :)
It sounds so very lovely I want to move in…
You can always come for a rest cure. :)
It is easy to see why this is your favorite spot, we all need a place of peace and respite. The way you describe what is going on below the surface is a reminder of the tandem benefits of enjoying natural beauty. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)
Judy, thank you, it really is as you say, a place of peace and respite.. x
What a wonderful spot and the perfect place to reflect on life’s moments. I love it.
Maureen, today my little three year old friend Jack peered through the bridge and stuck his hand in the pond and tried to throw pebbles into it. It wasn’t peaceful then, but it was just so much fun to watch him! :)
How beautiful Celia! can you come over to Canada and transform my backyard someday?
Bernice, it’s always been on my list of places I’d love to visit! :)
If there is room for me next to Jan and I promise not to eat all the choccies – lovely photos and words :)
Of course there’s room, we’ll shuffle over.. :) xxx
Your photos and description evoke the lovelist of thoughts… even the smallest amount of water and greenery creates serenity ;)
ED, I started taking the photos because I noticed how clear the water was – you’re so right, it really doesn’t take much… xx
Love this Celia, especially the fact that it gives a home to frogs and other little critters.
Lizzy, it’s the dragonflies and damselfies that really love it – they happily flit around the garden in spring.
I’m with Lizzy – how exciting to have tadpoles and frogs and dragonflies in your backyard, and it’s definitely a plus if they keep the mozzies away! Oh how I wish we weren’t renting…!
Jas, along with the chooks, it’s like having a little eco-system in the backyard. Or, in the case of the kids who visit, a petting zoo.. :)
Such gorgeous images!
It would be so peaceful by the pond, everything looks so lush and green, just beautiful :)
Julie, thank you! It’s only a tiny spot, but it is very calming! x
Hi Celia
This is off-topic but just wondering how you put the text on your photos? I also have a WordPress blog.
Thanks in advance.
Fairy, I use a free program called Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) – it takes a bit of practice to figure it out, but it works brilliantly. You can also use Microsoft Paint or Photoshop (I think the latter is very expensive).
I tag the photos in Gimp before uploading them to WP.
Hope this helps, Celia
Thanks for your quick and detailed reply. I will definitely try it. :)
Fairy, there’s an online help guide to Gimp, but it’s a tricky program to use (as are most of the photo-editing programs), I’m always having to ask the men in my house for help. If you’re looking for a simpler program, I think Paint is easier to navigate. Also, I was recently pointed to a great iPhone app called A+ Signature, which can watermark or add text to photos in the blink of an eye – but it does mean editing them on either your iPhone or iPad.
For being so small, your pond looks so lush!! Looks so peaceful. I love to study the small things in nature, plants and animals. Dragonflies are amazing and I like to tease the frogs. May I come lie on the bridge too? I will need to brings a few pillows though. There aren’t any trolls under the bridge are there?
[shuffles over a bit more] Sure Mel, there’s plenty of room here! The bridge has a nice little arch to it – great for back support! :)
There’s something about sitting near water, especially w/a little waterfall that is so calming. I have a little waterfall at the very back of my property that I had cleared away brush from years ago but alas, the mosquitoes keep us from really enjoying it during the summer.
Diane, it sounds wonderful – shame about the mosquitoes! I hope some dragonflies find your waterfall and eat all the mozzie larvae! :)
Now this is something very special, Celia. How very wise of you to create this little oasis. I’m sure you enjoy it and may you always find time to do so.
John, so kind, thank you – I hope we always find time to sit by the pond as well! Come and visit! :)
A beautiful and restful spot.
Norma, it really is, thank you!
How very beautiful…just looking at your pictures was calming…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Norma! :)
Beautiful photographs Celia. Love the little bridge, what a lovely place to lie and look through the trees.
Jean, it’s such a tiny space, but it brings so much pleasure, especially to the littlies who visit!
I am sure I have said it before but your pond is beautiful and I really love the tiny bridge. We don’t have a pump in ours and to my surprise the water has stayed perfectly clean. I think as long as you have water plants then the water will remain fresh because the plants filter it. You have inspired me to put a bit more effort into mine.
Jason, thank you! I must say I’ve never been for a dip in our pond like you have yours though! :)