This will encourage frogs to spawn in gardens!

March is the main spawning season for frogs and this one action can increase your chance of getting frog spawn.

By Our Gardens Matter

As a nature enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by frogs and their unique lifecycle. Come springtime, my pond can be full of frog spawn. But I was incredibly excited when I discovered another way to help frogs reproduce in my garden – using makeshift frog spawning trays out of deep gravel trays. Frogs prefer to spawn in shallow water, and these trays mimic a shallow pool, providing the perfect environment for them to lay their eggs and for tadpoles to hatch.

Only use rain or pond water in the trays, not tap water, unless it has stood for a week. The spawn can turn the water green with algae; this does not harm the tadpoles. The tadpoles will feast on the algae growing around the edges, and the green water also helps them hide from predators. You can supplement their diet with thin slices of cucumber. As the tadpoles begin to develop their back legs, they will start to become carnivorous. At this point, you can also feed them specialised tadpole food or fish flakes.

Using my frog-spawning trays has brought me immense joy and fulfillment. I love watching the frogs come to my garden, drawn to the water-filled trays. Seeing the frogs lay their eggs and witnessing the tiny tadpoles hatch and grow is a magical experience at any age, but it is especially fascinating for children. It’s amazing to play a small role in helping these incredible creatures thrive and reproduce in their natural environment.

Not only are the frog spawning trays beneficial for the frogs, but they also help create a more balanced and diverse ecosystem in the garden. By providing a place for frogs to reproduce, I am contributing to an increase in their population and supporting the local food chain. Additionally, the presence of frogs helps control garden pest populations, such as slugs, which can be a nuisance and carry diseases for hedgehogs. Overall, using my frog spawning trays has been a rewarding and environmentally conscious decision that has deepened my connection with nature.