Wow Lynne this summer is flying by it is August already and soon will be fall. We love watching your experience with your pond I placed links here to your last thread to start this new thread with, I hope you don't mind The pictures were too awesome to get lost at the end of a closed thread , so I started a new thread for ya Your Pink water lily is beautiful! //www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=291824#Post291824
lovin' your stylish waders in these pictures //www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=291823#Post291823
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Thanks so much for starting this new thread, Diane , and also for looking at my pond threads and your very nice comments! :wink:
Carol - I also would like to thank you for looking and commenting. I was a bit hesitant to post the pictures of myself, as I don't really like the way I am aging these days, but it's so much better than the alternative you know?!?
Quote
[color:#000000]very nice lynne nice to meet you again (i remember the wrennie pics) and your pond looks good. and i get about the string algae. but i've seen it that way in lots of places naturally. i'm just impressed that the water is clear enough to see it that well!
Thanks Jiffy! I know that algae like that grows naturally, but we prefer the cleaner look to our pond really. This stuff is just really taking over - and it's ever since I scrubbed it off the waterfall rocks, so I really do think I created a monster by doing that! The ponding forums that I participate in recommended putting clay in stockings in the pond (they say to buy plain kitty litter with no additives because it is the same stuff as the Koi Clay that is sold in pond stores but ever so much cheaper!!!) - I did that but it hasn't done anything for the algae yet. They also say barley straw works, and I replaced the old stuff with some new 2 days ago, but it has to start breaking down before we might see any results from that either.
The water is so nice and clear because Don bought 2 UV lights about a month ago - it really does the trick! They were very expensive, but worth every dime, as we can see the fish from up in our second story windows, as well as standing right by the pond. [/color]
Phew! I am really glad Diane started another thread for this because I was so disappointed when I came on specifically to post here and it was locked! I hadn't noticed the post count!
First, I want to say your pond is just lovely. Maxi and I so enjoy looking at your pictures. And that pink lily is the prettiest one I've ever seen.
Second, I love your haute couture ponding fashion! What every Best Dressed Ponder Should Own!
Third, I do so hope you can resolve the algae issues. I would freak out to see something like that if I had such a beautiful pond!
Will there be more photos soon?
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
Phew! I am really glad Diane started another thread for this because I was so disappointed when I came on specifically to post here and it was locked! I hadn't noticed the post count!
First, I want to say your pond is just lovely. Maxi and I so enjoy looking at your pictures. And that pink lily is the prettiest one I've ever seen.
Second, I love your haute couture ponding fashion! What every Best Dressed Ponder Should Own!
Third, I do so hope you can resolve the algae issues. I would freak out to see something like that if I had such a beautiful pond!
Will there be more photos soon?
Merme
Thanks for looking Merme!
Those waders are pretty heavy, even though I do "bounce" a bit in th pond in them since there are lots of air bubbles inside the legs. I had to reach down into the water lily pots to put some tomato fertilizer spikes in, and even though the waders come up so high on me, I could just about get my arm down into the pot before the water came seeping into the waders! Mission accomplished though thankfully. One is supposed to fertilize every 2 weeks or so, but I have not since I put the pots in, in the beginning of the summer because it's not so easy to just drop into the pond, you know?
Thanks about the algae - I'm thinking this is a bad year for it, because a friend of mine who lives 40 miles northwest of here has the same issue this year, and her pond has been up and running for several years more than ours. First time she's had this problem too. They say that birds can bring it into the pond, and we do have robins bathing in the waterfall often. I love to watch them - it is what Mother Nature is all about, right???
Now that I know how to use Don's very good camera, I'm sure I will be taking lots more pictures there. Stay tuned...!
One more picture from yesterday. I bought this basket at Christmas Tree Shops earlier this summer. It reminded me of the kind of baskets that driving ranges keep golf balls in - my parents were obsessed with golf!!! Anywho... I thought that if Don cut off the handle and I turned it upsidedown, the fish might enjoy swimming in and out of it, and could "hide" in there if a predator came along. They do love swimming through it, and Don has seen some sleeping in there early in the morning when he leaves for work at 5a.m.
BUT... here it is all covered in that "lovely" string algae! And can you see all the algae on the pond floor??? Helppppppppp!
That is a very cool basket for the fishies, Lynne. But I too would be heartsick to see all that algae!
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
From the reading I've done, by the way, the UV lights which so beautifully cure green water in a pond, actually cause String algae to flourish! Besides the things I have seen you've already tried, I've also read that shading the pond will also help reduce string Algae. Interestingly enough, so will dark vegetable dyes which will be filtered out eventually & need to be reapplied.
I find it crazy that the conditions one wants to achieve... clear water, good nutrients, etc., provoke string algae. So you get rid of the string algae and end up with green water? What a frustrating Catch 22.
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
That is exactly correct Merme!!! The people on the pond forums told me that string algae is considered "the GOOD algae" because when you have that, you don't have the pea soup GREEN water!!! You usually have clear water with it - but who wants to look into the clear water and see that horrible mess???
DEFINITELY a catch 22!
As for putting dye in the water - many public places do that so the light of the sky reflects off the surface of the water and then visitors do not see all that yucky stuff. It's mostly used in reflecting ponds, but if one wants their fish to be seen, it's not a good idea to use it. The colors most often used are dark blue or black so you can see how the fish would not show through that.
I'D find it hard to call that stuff "GOOD algae", Lynne!!! Of course, I'm no pond expert, but I surely wouldn't want it in my pond (if I had one, that is)!!
I feel for you on this topic, I really do. You have such a beautiful pond, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to deal with this. You guys have put a TON of work (and expense) into it and so wouldn't it be swell if it basically ran trouble free?
That's what I'd wish for you.
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
I feel for you on this topic, I really do. You have such a beautiful pond, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to deal with this. You guys have put a TON of work (and expense) into it and so wouldn't it be swell if it basically ran trouble free?
That's what I'd wish for you.Merme
merme that is so well said that all I can do it agree whole heartedly!!!!
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Thanks Merme and Carol. While we are not making any headway in getting rid of the string algae, I did try something I had read about on the pond forums. Someone there had taken small black circles of craft foam and put floating plants in it - I thought that looked nice and was a great way to get more plants onto the surface of the pond. I finally remembered to look for foam on my last visit to ACMoore - jeeeeeeeze - ya think I could remember BEFORE summer is almost over here?!?
First I saw the sheets of foam for 59 cents each, but on my way out I found this cute pre-cut flower in the dollar aisle. I thought the color matched my water lily blooms nicely so I gave it a try. I cut an "X" in the center and put some parrots feather cuttings through it. It has to be tethered, but I do like it - I'm thinking of going back and getting some of the cheaper sheets and tracing this flower to make more. This was the only flower they had that matched the colors of my pond.
That is adorable, for sure!!! I especially love the color.
and IF I am right I do see the tether--BUT I only looked again because of what Jiffy & tina said.....so it did take me awhile to locate what I THINK is it.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Thanks everyone! (though I didn't think finding the tether was the important thing, what you can see is the tiny plastic loop that holds the foam to the tether wire)
This was EXACTLY 2 YEARS AGO TODAY - the first time the pond was filled and ready to go!
And yesterday with lots of plants and fish and algae!!! (through the upstairs bathroom window because that's the only place I can get the entire pond area in the camera frame like this!
That is a fantastic difference, Lynne. You can see the hard work put into it and just relax looking at it now. (Although I know there is not enough 'relax'to the whole thing).
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
I wish you could see it up front and personal - the variegated grasses on either side are taller than my 5'1", and Jimmy's orange cannas must be close to 8 feet tall this year!!!
Most of the plants in the foreground on each side needs to be replanted each year, except for the sedum which are getting way too big for the areas and are splayed apart now from all the rain we've been having. I am going to have to divide them again next year! Then the problem will be finding another garden to put them in!!!
Hey!! I L-O-V-E your pond.I love how it looks and I love that you are sharing it with us!!!'
I so wish I could come and sit by it with you!!!! I know it would look even more wonderful in real life. You uare one lucky lady to have such a beautiful place in your yard.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Oh how I would LOVE for you all to come and sit a spell with me by the pond! Don has finished building the new adirondack chair, and it's primed. I just need to go out and get the paint now!
Here are the plants on the waterfall hill to the right side of the falls. I think they are filling in nicely this year, don't you?
This is what it looks like around the bend from the former picture of the sedums, etc. These are 3 yucca babies from tubers that I dug up last summer when I had to move the mamma plant. Mamma did not survive the move, but her babies are growing in a few gardens around the yard.
And this plant is in a pot in the front of the pond - it's called Curly Rush and I just love how the leaves grow in spirals!
My water lilies have really taken off since we had a warmer end to August. And I say "so there!" to the water lily snobs on another forum website! Just because these were cheapo ones bought at WalMart and PetSmart, doesn't make them any uglier in my opinion! Sure I would LOVE to be able to afford some of the gorgeous ones they all are growing, but since it's not in my budget for now (at prices such as $50 and up to hundreds!), these will do very nicely I think!
There are 2 more buds that I can see on this plant under the water right now, and one sticking up between the 2 brown pads that you can see.
This one has 3 more buds yet to come to the surface
And the last plant, that I bought about a month ago at PetSmart, that had a tiny half-dead rhyzome, has a bud on the surface and one underneath that I can see. That really excites me because I didn't think I'd see any pads on that one this year, let alone any flowers! So I say... YEA for the CHEAPO water lilies!
those pink flowers were cheap? They are too gorgeous to be called cheap. I've never seen a $50.00 one I suppose but I can't imagine they'd look any better.
those pink flowers were cheap? They are too gorgeous to be called cheap. I've never seen a $50.00 one I suppose but I can't imagine they'd look any better.
I have to agree with Sheri. May I also say IF I were so foolish as to spend $50.00 & up on any flower/plant---I could never enjoy it. I would be too nervous wondering if it were going to live or die, ya know???
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Yes, I love a good deal on plants. And agree with Carol. If I spent a fortune I'd worry the plant to death trying to keep it alive. Those are beautiful. Lynne. I never tried water lilies in my pond. I did try water hyacinths on a few occasions but I guess that raccoons think they are a delicacy put out just for them.
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
Your lilies are worth $50 and more, they're absolutely beautiful.... and worth more because you share them with us. You sure have done a great job with your pond.
Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Your lilies are worth $50 and more, they're absolutely beautiful.... and worth more because you share them with us. You sure have done a great job with your pond.
Girl, I like the way you think!!!
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Thanks so very much, Sheri, Carol, Tina and Rosepetal!!! I can't tell you how much your very kind words mean to me! :wink:
The rain has stopped and it so lovely outside - won't you join me?
Top waterfall grasses are in bloom!
Side view...
This is my "cheapo" Sioux water lily from PetSmart - $5.99 and the rhyzome was only about 3 inches long and 1/2 dead when I opened the package! I gave it my best try and it has rewarded me with 2 of these beautiful blooms so far this summer! It's called a "changeable water lily" because it starts out pale yellow, and then ages to a darker reddish-rust color. I'm in love!
Again, each flower only lasts about 3 days - such a shame!
Lynne they are so beautiful-----I love it as well...why, it is like you have 2 water lillies in one, since they change colors---I think that is so cool
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
WAAAAH!!! Two of my fish are missing and the others are so scared they won't come out from under the lily pads to eat! I am soooooo upset! I don't even know what did it - could have been a racoon, cat, egret, or even the black bear that came up on our second story deck twice last winter! Whatever it was, also left a "deposit" on the top step of deck stairs, so it was up there too, probably looking for birdseed! I don't put any out during the summer months so I guess it got even with me and took fish instead! I HOPE it's not the bear again! Either way, I am so very sad... I will be thrilled if the other 2 fish are just hiding in fear, but I don't think that's the case. One of them was my largest one.
Thanks Carol! Don's initial reaction was just what I thought it would be - to buy a scarecrow motion detector sprinkler - but those babies are expennnnnnsive!
I keep looking out the window to make sure nothing is getting to the fish!
I am sorry you lost your fishy pets. I hope they are hiding too. If it is a bear or a raccoon The motion detector sprinkler may only startle them initially. Then they might just enjoy the shower. They are more effective on rabbits and deer. They spook easier.
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
[color:#3333FF]I was looking out of our bathroom window hoping to see some fish - it's very cloudy and much much cooler today, so I figured they would not be out and about swimming yet even if they weren't still afraid!
Constantly sleep deprived, I was just staring at the water, when all of a sudden a [size:20pt]GIRNOMOUS GREAT BLUE HERON FLEW UP AND AWAY FROM THE SIDE OF THE POND!!! RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY BLURY EYES! IT WAS AS BIG AS A PTERODACTYL DINOSAUR I TELL YOU!!!
I watched him fly over our next door neighbor's house out of site - soooooooooooooooooo huge!!! He would actually be beautiful if he wasn't eating my fish!!!
I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I DIDN'T SEE HIM SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE POND! I WAS PROBABLY TOO LATE ANYWAY - we only see 6 fish huddled together right now - down from the 9 the other day, which was down from the 11 we had. I hope the other 3 are hiding but it's really not likely now... [/size] [/color]
Wanna know the really strange thing??? Last night I had a nightmare! I dreamed that I was looking out the window at the pond, and I actually counted all 11 fish in the pond! I was thrilled to pieces, but my joy was very short lived as an ELEPHANT stomped onto the garden on the right side (same side the heron was just on!!!) and was about to suck up all the water and fish with his huge trunk!!! I screamed out loud in my sleep and Don woke me up!!!
TALK ABOUT A PREMONITION!!! This actually has me scared a bit!
wow lynne. that's sad. i read something somewhere about a type of statue that will discourage herons. i want to say if you put a heron statue out, they will not go on other's territory. but i'll have to research/remember it.
i do know i never seen more than one in any area at one time here, so there may be something to that. maybe you could put a statue in the middle of the pond to ward off the the heron.
alright, being bored, i did some research. what i found was that the motion detector sprayer was in the top 2 deterrents. the other was a movable/floating predator of some kind. gator, owl, or even a hippo. number 3 was a heron statue, but everything i read said you have to be careful to put it away during march-may because of mating season. during that time, it could attract herons instead of deterring them. the rest of the year (like now) it would deter them.
so, all that said, maybe an owl from feb to jun, and a heron the rest of the time? and the sprinkler all the time? everything i read said that 2 different approaches combined work best.
if it were me, being as far south as i am, it would be a floating gator!
Oh, I like that. I do put wind twirly things by my pond to deter. And I have other 'watering holes' where the critters are welcome to drink or bathe or whatever.
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
Thanks for doing all that research, Jiffy . I am familiar with all those deterents but am also active on a ponding forum and most of the ponders there have "been there tried that" but the birds usually see through all of them. The statues need to be moved several times a day or the birds realize they are fake - even with moving, if they are hungry enough they ignore them.
Someone wrote about her scarecrow sprinkler - the heron was so smart he actually figured out how much time he had from the moment it got activated to the moment the sprinkler went off - 7 seconds in her case! And he still got away with fish!!!
AND... Just when I think I know what's getting to the fish, Oliver (Brian's cat) was making noises at the sliding doors in our kitchen and I look out to see a big fat racoon staring back at him!!! They are also notorious for pond fishing! GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
I have had a lot of raccoons here over the years and they'v e never 'fished'. Except once when we were cleaning the pond and put the fish into the jaccuzzi (with pond water only) and forgot that they needed rocks and things to hide under
~Tina
Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
Sounds like you've been very lucky, Tina. I've seen pictures of ponds after racoon damage - they wreak havoc on all the plants, etc - tearing apart water lilies, and knocking any plants on shelves in ponds to get to the fish. So far, I've been lucky too, but I didn't need to see the racoon on our second story deck on the same day that I saw the heron. I guess it was the racoon who left the "present" the other day - a bird would not have had that kind of "deposit".
We've talked about netting, but really... herons do not migrate from here at any time of the year, so it would have to be a permanent situation. At that point, I feel like "what is the point" of having fish? Nets are unattractive and bothersome to me. I wouldn't be able to have any of the plants on the perimeters the way I do now, and the racoons have been known to go under nets when they are determined.
A friend of mine who lives 40 minutes north of us has a very thick (ugly in my opinion) net on her pond because herons got all of her expensive koi last summer. That is one reason I never put a lot of money into the fish - only bought baby koi that were inexpensive, and now the comets. But they were doing so very well and more than doubled in size since I got them, so this is heartbreaking to me.
NO WONDER I was so very cold outside in a tank top and shorts in the rubber waders IN THE POND!!! It's only 58 degrees outside right now!!! BRRRRR! That water was freeeeeeeeeezing!
My grandaughter, Darbi, just got back from an outdoor enrichment experience and she informed me yesterday that beavers love to eat lilly pads. Better watch out for beavers Lynne.
How fast is a heron? Does the heron actually get in the pond and go after the fish?
Oh Sheri you made me chuckle! Thanks for starting my morning off on the right foot! There aren't any beavers around here - not that I know of anyway! (Ya never know in my neck of the woods! )
Herons can swoop down very quickly and snatch a fish right out of the water, OR they perch on the side of the pond hidden (mine was hiding behind the elephant ears which is why I didn't even see it!) and grab a fish as it swims by.
I just went out to get the mail. My next door neighbor got his too, and called me over to compliment me on the landscaping of the pond - he said he and his wife enjoy looking at it from their deck - nice!
BUT... while we were talking, I was telling him about how a heron got 2 of my fish. He said he's never seen one. WELL LET ME TELL YOU... as if it was on cue!!! I turned around to look at the pond and right there, right then was the heron perched on the side of the pond where I had seen him last time! I was so very shocked to see him then - pointed him out to my neighbor and the heron flew off! My neighbor got to see the bird in all it's glory - I ran over to count fish!!! I couldn't see them all til I fed them - counted 8 of the 9 consistently so I figured he got one! But then, thankfully, as I was walking back to the house I saw the last one hiding terrified in one of the black PVC pipes that we put in the pond just for that exact reason! YEA! :wink:
I am going to put some plant stakes on the side where I've now seen the heron twice because that is what I have handy. We really need to decide our next move soon though.
I love seeing pictures of your pond. The colors are magnificant.
You're going to have to put stuff out all around it I guess to deter that bird. Don't leave out your grill. That bird might have heard about the guy and the goldfish and decide to give it a try.
Well I put lots of tomato stakes at the sides of the pond where I had seen the heron before, but he was BACK this morning on the front edge! First thing I saw when I looked out the window! I chased him off, and then saw that we had indeed had frost last night and my Charles Grimaldi brug was limp.
I don't know how many/if any fish are still left in the pond now - the other day I only saw 5, and haven't seen any since then. BUT... it is VERY cold out there now, and they do hibernate once the water temperature goes below 50 - it was in the mid 40's yesterday morning.
I spent 1 1/2 hours cutting back Charles, and digging him up. SHHHHHHHH - don't tell Don but I broke his shovel trying to dig that sucker out of the ground! The metal part broke right off the stick and it was a GOOD HEAVY shovel!!! But I now have a few nice sized pieces in vases hopefully to root, and the big DADDY plant in a pot in the garage waiting for Don to bring it into the basement for winter - yea!
You'd think that bird would take a hint or at least be afraid. Maybe he'll move on when it gets colder. Since there's one does that mean theres another somewhere close by?
I spent 1 1/2 hours cutting back Charles, and digging him up. SHHHHHHHH - don't tell Don but I broke his shovel trying to dig that sucker out of the ground! The metal part broke right off the stick and it was a GOOD HEAVY shovel!!! But I now have a few nice sized pieces in vases hopefully to root, and the big DADDY plant in a pot in the garage waiting for Don to bring it into the basement for winter - yea!
Lynne: If you take Don's shovel to a hardware store they should be able to sell you a new handle and hopefuly they can replace it for you too.
Good luck * Carol is whispering so Don does not hear*
Last edited by JunieGirl; Oct 15th, 2009 at 06:30 PM.
________
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Carol - Don said the same thing but... it was NOT the handle that broke off - the metal part snapped off from the metal part that holds the handle on. It is toast!
Lynne how unfortunate that your shovel broke in the place it did! I'm glad it at least lasted long enough for you to get the brug dug up.
I think it is downright lovely that your neighbors are enjoying their view of your pond. I know I would if I lived nearby. You guys have certainly outdone yourselves on this project!
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
Have you ever thought of putting pictures of your pond in a member's gallery? It is so beautiful and well done, I think lots of folks would enjoy seeing the collection of photos all in one spot.
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
Don ordered a heater online and we got it 2 days ago. It's still too early to put it in the pond though.
Today I saw 7 of the 9 fish before we left for the evening - I was very surprised to see so many since it's been cool and gloomy out most of this week, but very glad to see so many are still there. I'm hoping the other 2 are hiding already for winter and not eaten by the heron.
If tomorrow is decent out, I will have to brave the cold water and go in the pond one last time for this season to place some of the plants that are on the shelves down into the bottom for the winter. I'm hoping they overwinter ok there, because I really don't have room to bring them inside. If not, they weren't too expensive, so I'll have to start over again next spring, if I am lucky to find the same plants then. Time will tell...
It's yet another cool rainy day, so I probably won't be going into the pond today. Unless Don wants to stand out in the rain to help me get into and out of the pond - I figure I'm going to get wet either way!
You see... I was holding Butterscotch in his small room just off the kitchen. The windows in there are directly opposite the pond with a terrific view of it. We were cuddling , when all of a sudden there was a BIG [color:#000000]black shadow over the pond! The heron was coming in for a landing!!! I got so upset that I banged on the window really loud and forgot that I was holding Butterscotch! This scared the bejeebers out of him and he clawed my upper arm to get out of my hold!
Ohhhhhh man Lynne OUCH! and poor butterscotch too,, he had no idea what was happening, 'Sure wish there was something that could be done about the heron coming to your pond,, but, nature is nature in it's own right ya know? Unfortunately at times tho, it ( nature) causes havoc. so sorry about your arm
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
Well we've had temperatures outside near or in the 50's the past week, and the fish have decided it's a nice time to surface from winter. They've been hanging out just at surface level - makes me so nervous because of the heron. They are so easy to see now with their bright orange colors and no plants currently growing to help conceal them.
All 8 that are left are visable these days thankfully! It was difficult to take a clear picture with the trees reflecting on the surface.
It looks like the curly rush has some green leaves left on it, as well as the parrots feather and a couple of other plants - they were all submersed to the bottom of the pond to avoid freezing. The heater that Don bought in the fall seemed to work very nicely. There is a lot of dirt, debris and leaves to be cleaned out once we really warm up for good.
Omgosh I didn't know you had a heater That's Great! and you've seen your fish! I'm sooooo happy for you
I'm also thrilled to hear you have plants that survived your winter. It'll be warming up soon there, when you do plan to bring them to the surface? I didn't see this earlier on the forum list (I'm guessing it must have been hidden by another post in a thread in this landscape t&t's group? )so I missed the picture I'll keep a look out for future post(s) here
"Grace without perfection is more to be desired than perfection without grace."
I missed it also...can you re-post your pic...please.
Since you both were so sweet, here it is again. This was 6 days ago - they've been swimming around the surface everyday now. It's still too cold to start feeding them though - I've heard one should do that when the water temperature reaches about 55 degrees and stays there or above.
Diane - it's still way too early here to bring the plants up, even though I can see some green on some of them. We are having above normal temps (15 degrees higher than usual) now, but I'm sure it will cool down a bit still before it's really spring here. Our last frost date isn't until May 15th - still a long way to go!!!
Tamara - the reason they did so well I believe, is that Don put a heater in the pond to keep the air exchanging and the surface from totally freezing over. The heater really worked well - we could see steam around it during the coldest days.
I bought 12 more "feeder" fish yesterday at PetSmart for the pond. They had a nice selection and the guy knows me there and let me "hand pick" each one that I wanted. I got a nice variety of orange and white mixed ones - the ones that I think look most like koi, but only cost me 27 cents each - in case they do not make it, it's not such a bid deal ya know?!?
It was very cold when I put them in yesterday, though I did acclimate them to the water temperature before releasing them. Today is supposed to be even colder and then it will SLOWLY warm up each day this week. Next weekend is supposed to be in the 70's again - YEA!
psssssssst Carol - I do not have any koi. I only have 8 of the 16 feeder fish that I bought last summer - they are now about 5 inches long and look huge compared to the new feeder fish.
These fish can get to about a foot or so in the right conditions.
Gardening in March
Gardening in April
Gardening in May
Shop at Amazon and Support AGF
Are you shopping online? Click this link first and A Gardeners Forum will receive a commission for your
referral at Amazon.com (shopping through this link to Amazon will not have any impact on your prices at Amazon).
it is August already and soon will be fall. 
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/angelblossom.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/gardenhelper.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/catstars.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/merme.gif)
Mission accomplished though thankfully. One is supposed to fertilize every 2 weeks or so, but I have not since I put the pots in, in the beginning of the summer because it's not so easy to just drop into the pond, you know?
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/stringalgaecoveringbasket8-06-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/junie.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/flowerplantfloater8-15-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/tina.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/pondfilled8-25-07.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/pond8-24-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/waterfallhillrightside8-25-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/yuccababies8-25-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/curlyrush8-25-09.jpg)
to the water ![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/waterlilies48-31-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/waterlilies38-31-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/graphics/buttons/rosepetal.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/pondbench9-10-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/waterfallgrasses9-10-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/waterfallgrasses29-10-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/sioux69-04-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/sioux9-04-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/fishscared9-17-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/fishscared29-17-09.jpg)
I turned around to look at the pond and right there, right then was the heron perched on the side of the pond where I had seen him last time! ![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/pond10-01-09.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/LynneNY/ponding/pondfish23-10-10.jpg)
![[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]](http://www.agardenersforum.com/images/psd/sunny.jpg)
