Frog shelter using terracotta pots

[MitchellM]

Creating a frog shelter is a fun and educational activity for the kids and a wonderful garden feature.

• The project
• Tools and materials
• How to make a frog pot
• More frog pond projects

The project

At Bunnings, we are installing frog ponds in schools around the local area. One of the challenges has been establishing plant life to provide shelter from predators. Getting frogs to lay is relatively easy, a saucer full of water is generally all they need, but predation of the juvenile frogs takes a massive toll. While establishing the environment around the pond, we came up with an easy and cheap portable home until more suitable plant growth occurs.

This would be a perfect project for the kids on a weekend – they could decorate the top too. Plus, if you sneak out in the daytime and lift the pot, you may find the frogs taking refuge. The Australian Museum has a free app for identifying frogs by their call. As a species that is so susceptible to environmental change, frogs are a great indicator species for the health of the environment around us.

Tools and materials

• Two pots, one larger than the other
• Large saucer
• Bolt with nut and washers
• Sphagnum Moss
• Terrarium plants

How to make a frog pot

Step one

Connect the two pots with the bolt and washers.

Step two

Add Sphagnum Moss to the saucer and add terrarium plants around the exterior.

Step three

Add water and soak the Sphagnum moss until it greens back up – this may take several days as it is alive but dormant in the bag. 

The gap between the two pots allows the frogs access inside and prevents predators from getting to them.

Through capillary action, the inside pot draws water up from the base and keeps the top pot wet.

Step four

Place the frog pot in a sheltered area out of direct sunlight. Fill the saucer with water once every few days in summer so the pot and moss don't dry out.

More frog pond projects

Inspired by this project, Workshop member Daisy created their own frog pot.

Workshop member Janfay created their own frog shelter using two pots, as well as a small water feature.

Workshop member mich1972 repurposed an old bathtub to create a large frog pond.

Using a raised garden bed from Bunnings, Deanna created a water garden and home for the frog she discovered on her Colorbond fence post.

[Catnipmanor1234]

In making a frog friendly water bowl or dish ALWAYS make sure that they can actually get out. I know it sounds silly, but my first attempt at a frog pond (I used a small 'fish' type pond), resulted in a frog drowning because he couldn't get out. I was so sad. So now I've got deepish bowls, shallow bowls etc. with natural rocks (nothing concrete, etc. or man made like bricks), around the base, and also inside the container. Because if the sides are slippery, or plastic etc. the frog cannot get a decent grip.  Keep a separate large container filled with tap water; and let the water sit for at least 7 days or more, so as to dissipate chlorine and the other additives that go into Sydney water - not good for frogs, or goldfish.  Say a 56 litre?? garbage bin. Frogs don't like fresh tap water; but like water that has say leaves in it, a bit of muddy substance - but always under shelter. Gabrielle.🦄

[MitchellMc]

Great tips @Catnipmanor1234! Thanks for sharing.

Mitchell