About a week ago while shopping at a local store a regular customer of Finch Family Water Garden stopped me to ask if it was time to stop feeding their fish. "YES" I exclaimed "Let me tell you why." I continued to tell them that as the temperatures drop their fishes metabolism slowed and their ability to digest food decreases. As the food rots in their stomach it can create infections and death.
A good rule of thumb is to stop feeding your fish when the water temperature reaches 60 degrees. A warm day may come along, and your fish may act like they want to eat, but if the temperatures are dropping down at night don't be fooled into thinking they need fed. Your fish won't starve, they can pick at the algae in the pond and the bugs that land on the surface, both of which will be easier to digest if they chose to do so.
You may not be out enjoying your pond, but it is still important to keep your pump running. The flow of water adds oxygen to your pond which helps with the exchange of gases such as methane (from rotting debris) and ammonia (Secreted by your fish).
Should your waterfall or stream be prone to freezing you might consider unhooking your pump and allowing it to just bubble in the pond. The water movement will help to keep the water from freezing solid.
Should it be necessary to unplug your pump for a short period leave it in the water, this will help to keep the rubber seals in it from drying out and cracking. If you have more than one pump and choose to disconnect one for the winter again leave it in the water and plug it in from time to time to keep it lubricated.
Should your pond freeze over don't break the ice as the sound and pressure can stress and shock your fish. A few simple tricks to keep an opening in your pond are to float a kids ball on it that can then be easily removed should the pond freeze over. you can also set a pan of hot water on the ice and allow it to melt through the ice.
If you haven't already, now would be a good time to remove leaves that have accumulated in the bottom of the pond and cut back any dead plant material so it won't be deteriorating in your pond.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Dreaming of Spring!
The last few days we have had a repreive from the rain but the temperatures have been bitterly cold, at least to me who lives for summer. The next few nights lows are expected to be 17 degrees, but still no snow in the forcast.
However my mind keeps going to spring....Warmer days mowing, and flowers blooming. To console myself I spend the winter months planning for Finch Family Water Garden. Doing inventory, getting orders ready to send, and dreaming of projects to be done in the spring.
This week I placed my Water Lily order. We generally carry 24 hardy varieties of lilies and this coming year will be no different. We will have lilies in Whites, Pinks, Reds, Yellows and Sunset colors including the ever popular changeables which change colors each day starting out yellow and going to reds and oranges.
This year I am very excited that we will be able to carry Perry's Almost Black. It is a hybrid created by Perry Slocum. This lily is considered a small lily, but the flower is astounding. A deep dark red with a center that is truly almost black. I was able to get it several years ago and it flew out the door before it even began blooming, and I didn't get a chance to add one to my own collection.
PERRY'S ALMOST BLACK
In addition to the lilies I also order two varieties of Lotus. The ever popular Mrs. Perry Slocum and First Lady.
Mrs. Perry Slocum was one of the first lotus I ever purchased personally and has graced my pond for years. It is a large plant with leaves the size of dinner plates or bigger. It blooms saucer sized flowers of creamy yellow tipped in pink.
MRS. PERRY SLOCUM
In addition I ordered I ordered First Lady, also a large variety that has lavender pink blooms. While I have never seen this variety in person, the pictures I have seen convinced me it will a spectacular specimin plant for any pond or water feature.
FIRST LADY
It is a hurry up and wait thing, now I am all excited about lilies and lotus, I have placed the order but have to wait until early spring for their arrival.
However my mind keeps going to spring....Warmer days mowing, and flowers blooming. To console myself I spend the winter months planning for Finch Family Water Garden. Doing inventory, getting orders ready to send, and dreaming of projects to be done in the spring.
This week I placed my Water Lily order. We generally carry 24 hardy varieties of lilies and this coming year will be no different. We will have lilies in Whites, Pinks, Reds, Yellows and Sunset colors including the ever popular changeables which change colors each day starting out yellow and going to reds and oranges.
This year I am very excited that we will be able to carry Perry's Almost Black. It is a hybrid created by Perry Slocum. This lily is considered a small lily, but the flower is astounding. A deep dark red with a center that is truly almost black. I was able to get it several years ago and it flew out the door before it even began blooming, and I didn't get a chance to add one to my own collection.
PERRY'S ALMOST BLACK
In addition to the lilies I also order two varieties of Lotus. The ever popular Mrs. Perry Slocum and First Lady.
Mrs. Perry Slocum was one of the first lotus I ever purchased personally and has graced my pond for years. It is a large plant with leaves the size of dinner plates or bigger. It blooms saucer sized flowers of creamy yellow tipped in pink.
MRS. PERRY SLOCUM
In addition I ordered I ordered First Lady, also a large variety that has lavender pink blooms. While I have never seen this variety in person, the pictures I have seen convinced me it will a spectacular specimin plant for any pond or water feature.
FIRST LADY
It is a hurry up and wait thing, now I am all excited about lilies and lotus, I have placed the order but have to wait until early spring for their arrival.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
