Thread: What are you doing this summer?

With a day like today, I'm thrilled to be thinking of vacation. A friend of mine and I decided we wanted to do something/go somewhere we'd never been. So...we planned on throwing a few darts at a map to see where we would travel. In the more realistic sense, we decided to see where an airplane could take us that we could afford. Our destination--which was a shock to both of us--is South Dakota. We'll probably be celebrating the 4th (of July) with four very famous men at Mt. Rushmore. Folks say their fireworks are quite spectacular.

We are outdoorsy folk, so we will hike the Black Hills Forest, explore the Badlands, and find anything else that tempts our fancy. I'm excited because I can now cross South Dakota off my list of places I've never been. I just wish the 4th of July would get here. I need that plane ride!

I`ll be spending two weeks working out of town (probably in Toronto) grading 6th grade provincial tests.

I'll also spend some time golfing around the province on my way there and back.

Water gardening is great fun. I installed a pond for my parents 5 years ago. It`s built much the same way you described. Lots of fun to build and super easy to do. It`s right next to my parents deck. One of the things to keep in mind when you install a pond is to make sure you place it in an area where it gets maximum exposure to sunlight. Also, if you`re going to have fish in the pond such as Koi, it`s important that the surface of your pond is largely covered with plant life or shade. I know the last two points go against each other, but that's the way it is. Koi are very sensitive to sunlight and the plants (water lilies and water hyancinths(sp)) need tons of sunlight. Also, it`s good to have a small pump to circulate the water in your pond. I`ve been told that water lilies will not flower is there is no water circulation in the pond. It don`t know if there`s truth to that.

We have a pump in ours with a decorative spout. Also, we have a waterfall which we build and installed last year. Lots of water movement.

As an aside, temperature up here goes to 40 below in winter. Our plants all die but grow right back in the spring. Koi and goldfish also spend all winter in the pond. We place an airstone and a small aquarium heater and it`s enough to keep them alive all winter. The top freezes right over but it`s only a small layer of ice. about 10 inches. Pond is 36 inches in the deep end and 20 inches on the shelf.

Good luck with your water gardening and let me know if you have any questions.

Who would have thought a teaching forum would have turned to gardening today.

René

(((René)))

You're just what I needed. I'd very much like to talk to you about water gardens because I do have a few questions.

I understand that my pond will need an overflow drainage system. The book I'm reading has suggested that I dig a trench around the pond and bury a pereforated PVC pipe in the trench. The pipe would be covered with gravel.

QUESTION: Is this trench supposed to go somewhere? My backyard doesn't have a slope. If I had a slope, I'd bury the pipe so that overflow goes downhill - but my back yard is flat. So what do I do about overflow? The only thing I can think of is to dig the overflow trench at least a foot deep. If it's a foot deep and a foot wide, that should hopefully be enough volume to handle any overflows during a storm.

What do you think?

Regarding the pump/filter - I'm thinking of using a combination pump/filter that's submergible. It's powered by solar energy - but I'll need to check the pumping capacity to make sure it can handle the volume of water.

SECOND QUESTION: Where did you get your water plants? I know that I can get some at a pet store - but if I could get my hands on some water chestnuts, I'd put them in a submerged planter. The tall grass-like stems would help give a "natural" look to the pond ... and the bulbs are edible - so new growth could be harvested.

Would you believe that I've already bought some rocks for my garden? I found a catalog that sells igneous rock from Nevada. The rock is extremely porous and some enterprising person came up with the idea of hollowing them out to make planters! I plan to incorporate these boulder/planters into my garden.

David

P.S. What features did you incorporate to give partial shade to your pond? Did you build an overhang for the fish or did you rely on shade from a tree?

Hi David,

I don`t have an overflow trench on my pond. To be perfectly honest, we rarely get enough rain here to really warrant having an overflow trench. However, my pond`s rubber liner overlaps the pond by 12-18 inches all around. That way, any overflow that comes from rainfall or overfilling automatically drains further away from the pond. This area around the pond is covered by large rocks I picked up at a local hard-rock mine. They form a type of rock garden around the pond.

As for a pump/filter: Keeping a pond clean of scum and algea is quite a task. Sunlight forms algea so it's important to have a fair amount of plan cover to avoid the formation of the algea in the water. The pump we have to run the fountain is not that powerful. Just large enough to move the water around a little. It did not come with a filter. I hollowed out a sponge and tied it around the intake to act as a filter. Once a week, I remove it to clean it out. Our second pump is quite a bit larger because it must move water to the top of our small waterfall. It does not have a filter.

Water plants: I`m lucky enough to live in an area surounded by lakes, rivers and streams. Believe it or not, but all of the plants that I have in the pond, I picked myself with a snorkel and mask at different area lakes. It`s the cheapest way to go. Many garden centers will sell you plants at hugely inflated prices. Usually you can get these same plants in a lake somewhere. when you go, bring a shovel as some of the plants have quite deep roots. Also bring a knife if you`re planning on collecting lillies. the roots are quite strong and will need to be cut with a knife. Cut of a rhysome which you can then plant and it will sprout roots in your pond. Water chestnuts are a good idea although I don`t think we`d have the climate here to grow them. We have a hard time with some of the water lillies.

Other tips: When you fill your pond for the first time, allow the water to sit for about 48 hours before introducing plants. Then you can introduce your plants and a few fish. This will allow for the chlorine in the water to dissipate.

Don`t put too many fish in your pond. Especially koi as they grow quite large and will soon take up much room. If you want more fish, pick up some cheap feeder goldfish at the petstore. Usually you can get a dozen for a couple of bucks. These add colour to your pond and they won`t get very large.

For potting plants, I`ve used plastic pots. I fill the bottom of them with rock (gravel) and then use regular potting soil for the plants. I top them off the pots with decorative rocks. It stops the soil from coming out of the pots.

Your pond needs to be re-filled on a regular basis. Basically, you adjust your pump to pump OUT the water and empty about one third... then refill with the hose. This will also help to prevent the algea from forming in the bottom of your pond.

I`ll try to take some pictures of my parents pond this week and send them to you. Keep in mind that most of the snow has only been gone for a month. So the plants haven`t started to grow too much yet. Some of the leaves have started to come out.

It will give you a good idea of the rock garden around the pond.

Ren

Ren

Hi René,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Thanks also for all of your wonderful suggestions. I particularly liked the idea of digging up my own water plants.

QUESTION: I know from prior experience with aquariums that water has to sit for a while to allow the chlorine to dissipate. My water garden book and your advice have both suggested adding water from a hose to top off the water in the pond ... but if I do this, don't I run the risk of hurting the fish?

I was thinking of using a large trash container on wheels as a "storage tank" for aging water. I could then siphon water from the container after the water had aged for 48 hours.

David

P.S. Central Texas doesn't get a lot of rain - so in retrospect I think a nominal drainage ditch should be enough to handle any potential overflow problems.

We've always filled from the hose and never had problems. Actually, we simply place the hose in it and add water for 15-20 minutes every few days. the pond overflows and runnoff runs into the lawn.

Another tip: When you dig your pond, allow a slight angle for your walls (wider at the top). If you cut at a 90 degree angle, you risk the chance (especially if you have a sandy soil like we do) that your pond will erode and your sides will start to collapse.

Ren

Hi René,

Thanks so much for your wonderful tips. I'll keeped the suggestion about an inclined slope in mind.

QUESTION: Do you have a problem with leaves falling into the pond? I thought about planting a shade tree near the pond but am worried about all the leaves that could fall into the water - especially during the Fall season.

David

We've only got evergreens near our pond, so leaves aren't a problem. Sometimes some grass gets in when I mow the lawn, but usually, it will just float at the top long enough for me to scoop it up with a pool skimming net.

Hi René,

Thanks again for all of your help. Who would have guessed that this thread would evolve into a discussion about ponds! Your tips have been quite useful. I'm really looking forward to this project.

David