You too can have your own pond teeming with life - even if you don't have a garden

Gardening can be incredibly therapeutic and while we can't all be the proud owners of one as expansive as Monty Don's Longmeadow most of us can find room for a few plant pots.

The sound and presence of water is equally as relaxing and while few will have the room for a full-sized pond that doesn't mean you can't make the most of what little space you have.

Last year my obsession with all things green led me to buy a 'pond in a pot' for the front garden of my terraced home in Darwen. These usually resin-based pots come in various shapes and sizes and are a great water feature.

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Strictly speaking, you're not allowed to take plants or wildlife from a pond in a public place. But it's fair to say that, as the phrase goes, 'if you build it they will come' and you'll soon find your pond is teeming with life.

Most decent garden centres will have a section for pond plants but, if not, many retailers sell via the likes of Amazon where you can buy everything from water lilies to pond skaters.

After filling my pond with water and adding a few plants I was amazed to discover a watery forget-me-not starting to grow from beneath the surface.

If you think land-based gardening can be tricky then it's fair to say that pond plants can be much harder to look after. It's definitely worth doing your research before adding any plants to your pond as their success will depend on factors such as the depth of the pot and any competing flora.

One of the first creatures I discovered had made its home in my pond in a pot was a family of snails. Snails reproduce like it's going out of fashion and within a couple of weeks my pond was packed with tiny, swirl-shaped smooth shells.

The pots themselves are relatively reasonably-priced. Mine, which has a diameter of about two feet, cost around £50 and obviously the cost will increase with size.

You'll also need to make sure rainwater will fall into the pond to prevent algae build-up and create an overflow hole to prevent any of your creatures or plants pouring over the edge.

The one good thing about ponds in a pot is that they need very little maintenance or upkeep. They're also a great way to teach kids about wildlife.