Frogs can't be bought. The way to get more in the garden is to create the right conditions, and here's how.
What does it look like?
Common frogs and common toads are the amphibians most likely to turn up in a garden pond in Britain, and smooth and palmate newts are also widespread (RHS). A garden pond may occasionally attract the scarce and protected great crested newt. Adult common frogs grow up to 9cm (males) or 13cm (females) (Froglife).
How to encourage it
A pond is the best way to bring frogs in. At least one side should slope gradually up to dry land, with a ramp covered in chicken wire in one corner if the sides are steep, and a point above the water for frogs and toads to rest on (RHS). Fish will eat spawn and tadpoles, so do not introduce them. Out of the water, frogs use log piles, hedge bottoms, compost heaps and the space under stones or paving slabs, and grass growing over the pond edge suits newts (RHS). Ponds are best built from early spring to autumn. A bog garden adds another kind of wet habitat (Froglife).
Most frogs and toads overwinter on land in compost heaps, amongst dead wood or under decking and sheds, and some frogs and newts overwinter at the bottom of a pond (Froglife), so take care when cleaning a pond in winter (RHS). A purpose-built hibernaculum or toad abode in a shady, undisturbed corner gives a dedicated spot (Froglife).
Slug pellets, even organic ones, have negative effects on wildlife in the garden (RHS), and frogs and toads are among slug predators, so pellets work against them.
Why this matters in Scotland
In Scotland the common frog, common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt are listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect of section 9(5) only, which concerns sale and trade. The great crested newt and the natterjack toad are European protected species under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, which makes it an offence to capture, injure or kill them, to disturb them in a place they use for shelter, or to damage their breeding sites or resting places.
A garden pond with common frogs, toads or smooth and palmate newts needs no licence. If a pond holds great crested newts, leave it undisturbed and ask NatureScot before any work.
What it helps control
Myths about frogs
“You need to dig a garden pond before frogs will ever show up in your garden.”
A pond is what frogs need to breed in, not what they need to turn up. A garden without a pond, or space for one, can still benefit amphibians, especially near existing water (Froglife), and amphibians also rely on log piles, hedge bottoms and compost heaps once out of the water (RHS).
Our read Breeding does require standing water. A damp, sheltered garden next to a neighbour's pond, a ditch or a boggy patch can still host visiting frogs.
What to do: If a pond isn't possible, build the terrestrial habitat anyway: log piles, long grass, a compost heap and damp shady corners. A pond remains the single best addition for breeding, but its absence doesn't rule frogs out entirely.
2 sources
- Froglife, Frogs & toads: in my garden FAQA garden without a pond can still benefit amphibians and they may use it if water bodies exist nearby, though a pond is the best way to encourage breeding.
- RHS, Garden amphibiansAmphibians need still water such as a pond to mate and lay eggs, but also rely on log piles, hedge bottoms and long grass once out of the water.
“Scooping up frogspawn and moving it to a different pond is a harmless way to help frogs spread to new spots.”
New ponds should be left to be colonised naturally. Transferring spawn or tadpoles from other ponds runs the risk of spreading amphibian diseases (RHS), and Froglife advises against moving frogs, toads or their spawn.
What to do: Leave frogspawn where it is. A new pond with a shallow, planted margin is best left to be colonised by frogs on its own.
2 sources
- RHS, Garden amphibiansTransferring spawn or tadpoles from other ponds runs the risk of spreading amphibian diseases.
- Froglife, Frogs & toads: in my garden FAQWe do not advise that you attempt to move frogs, toads or their spawn away from your pond.
“Frogs and toads live mainly on slugs, so a pond alone will sort out a slug problem in the veg patch.”
Slugs are one item among many. Frogs and toads are named among slug predators (RHS), amphibians feed on a wide range of small invertebrates (RHS), the common frog feeds on insects, slugs and worms (Froglife) and feasts on slugs and snails (Wildlife Trusts), and the share of the diet that is slugs is not known.
Our read A garden with frogs will see some slug predation, but a pond is not a standalone slug-control measure.
What to do: Treat frogs and toads as one part of a wider predator community, alongside ground beetles, birds and hedgehogs, and avoid slug pellets, which harm the wildlife that eats slugs.
3 sources
- RHS, Garden amphibiansThese animals feed on a wide range of small invertebrates.
- The Wildlife Trusts, Common frogThe common frog is a regular visitor to garden ponds across the country, where it feasts on slugs and snails.
- Froglife, Common frogThey feed on insects, slugs and worms.
“Frogs spend winter hibernating buried at the bottom of the garden pond”
Frogs and toads normally overwinter in compost heaps, amongst dead wood or under decking and sheds, while some frogs and newts choose to overwinter at the bottom of the pond (Froglife). The common frog hibernates under rocks, in compost heaps, or underwater buried in mud and vegetation (Froglife).
Our read Both answers are on record, so the claim is neither true nor false as a rule: where a frog winters depends on what shelter is available.
What to do: Leave sheltered, undisturbed spots on land (log piles, compost heaps, leaf litter, gaps under sheds) as well as a pond, and take care when cleaning a pond in winter.
2 sources
- Froglife, Frogs & toads: in my garden FAQFrogs and toads normally overwinter in places like compost heaps, amongst dead wood or under decking, your shed or other objects. Some will choose to overwinter at the bottom of the pond.
- Froglife, Common frogDuring winter they hibernate under rocks, in compost heaps, or underwater buried in mud and vegetation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pond to have frogs?
A pond is the best way to attract them and the only place they breed, but a garden without one can still benefit amphibians, especially near existing water, if it has log piles, long grass, a compost heap and damp shade (Froglife).
Do frogs eat slugs?
Yes, among a wide range of small invertebrates: frogs and toads are named as slug predators (RHS) and the common frog feeds on insects, slugs and worms (Froglife). The share of slugs in the diet is not known, so a pond is not a slug fix on its own.
Where do frogs spend the winter?
Most overwinter on land in compost heaps, dead wood or under sheds and decking, and some frogs and newts overwinter at the bottom of a pond (Froglife).
Should I move frogspawn to another pond?
No. Transferring spawn or tadpoles risks spreading amphibian diseases (RHS), and Froglife advises against moving frogs, toads or their spawn.
Sources
Show the 8 sources
- RHS: For Flea Beetle: Encourage wildlife in the garden, such as birds, frogs and predatory ground beetles.
- RHS: For Slugs and Snails: Birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, slow-worms and ground beetles eat slugs and snails. Slug pellets, even organic ones, have been shown to have negative effects on wildlife in the garden; frogs and toads are among slug predators.
- RHS: RHS garden amphibians: common frogs and common toads likely in gardens throughout Britain, smooth and palmate newts widespread, great crested newt scarce and protected; pond with one gently sloping side or a chicken-wire ramp, a resting point above water, no fish, log piles, hedge bottoms and compost heaps for shelter, no transferring spawn or tadpoles because of disease, and ponds best built from early spring to autumn.
- froglife.org: Froglife garden FAQ: a garden without a pond can still benefit amphibians, especially near water; frogs and toads normally overwinter in compost heaps, dead wood or under decking and sheds, with some frogs and newts at the bottom of the pond; habitats that stay damp give insects and slugs to feed on; do not move frogs, toads or spawn.
- froglife.org: Froglife common frog: found throughout Britain and Ireland, feeds on insects, slugs and worms, hibernates under rocks, in compost heaps or underwater buried in mud and vegetation, and garden ponds are extremely important for it.
- Wildlife Trusts: Wildlife Trusts common frog: a regular visitor to garden ponds across the country that feasts on slugs and snails.
- legislation.gov.uk: Schedule 5 as it applies to Scotland lists the common frog, common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt in respect of section 9(5) only; the great crested newt and natterjack toad are not listed there.
- legislation.gov.uk: Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 lists the great crested newt and the natterjack toad as European protected species.