April hours begin April 9th! We will be open Saturdays 10am-6pm and Sundays 10am-5pm during April as the weather continues to warm up.
Many of your favorite plants are already planted, and Hyacinths and Lettuce are set to arrive this week. A few of the other plants I ordered will be coming a little later as the weather hasn't allowed them to mature as quickly as usual. Fish will also start arriving a little later in the month as shipping conditions and transition temperatures become more favorable.
The shelves are stocked with your favorite pond supplies and this is a great time to get your pond cleaned and started up for a great summer to come.
Mention this blog, and receive 15% off all in stock Laguna products including Spitters and Nets.
Showing posts with label Fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fish. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
It has been a busy couple weekends at the nursery. Last weekend following the snow I spent my time doing some much needed cleaning following a mild but always rough winter. I trimmed up plants, cleaned almost all of the ponds that house the plants in the selling area as well as the ponds that hold the fish. I cleaned off the slab and made the nursery workable once again. I also gathered many supplies that are needed to make Finch Family Water Garden come to life such as soil and pea gravel. As excited as I was to start planting it was obvious the snow and 20 degree temperatures had set things back.
Finally this weekend it was time to begin planting. I planted many of your favorites and am anxiously waiting for others to spring to life, tomorrow I will be planting more, such as Water Forget-Me-Nots, Marsh Marigolds, and other shade and cool loving plants.
I am still undecided about when opening day will be. But I don't want to bring the hyacinths and lettuce in too early, and while we have seen a few days of sun, it has still been very dark and cloudy. I hope to give you a stronger opening date after next weekend.
I know you are all anxious to bring your ponds to life, there has been a noted
amount of calls on the caller id, especially on sunny days. However the temperatures are still cool at night. Pond plants grown naturally are dependant on the water temperatures. I don't force the plants to life which gives you a quality product I have built the nursery name on.
Your fish may show signs of activity on a sunny day, but please wait for the weather to warm up before you start to feed them. I suggest not feeding them when the water is below 50 degrees and I actually wait until the water consistently stays at or above 55 degrees, They will be fine, they can help you clean the pond by eating algae which is easy for them to digest before then.
Finally this weekend it was time to begin planting. I planted many of your favorites and am anxiously waiting for others to spring to life, tomorrow I will be planting more, such as Water Forget-Me-Nots, Marsh Marigolds, and other shade and cool loving plants.
I am still undecided about when opening day will be. But I don't want to bring the hyacinths and lettuce in too early, and while we have seen a few days of sun, it has still been very dark and cloudy. I hope to give you a stronger opening date after next weekend.
I know you are all anxious to bring your ponds to life, there has been a noted
amount of calls on the caller id, especially on sunny days. However the temperatures are still cool at night. Pond plants grown naturally are dependant on the water temperatures. I don't force the plants to life which gives you a quality product I have built the nursery name on.
Your fish may show signs of activity on a sunny day, but please wait for the weather to warm up before you start to feed them. I suggest not feeding them when the water is below 50 degrees and I actually wait until the water consistently stays at or above 55 degrees, They will be fine, they can help you clean the pond by eating algae which is easy for them to digest before then.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Great shipment of fish.
Oregon Weather, You have to love it (Right?), this spring is proving to be one of the darker and wetter ones we have seen in a long time. Luckily yesterday I got to stay out of the rain by staying under the fish area putting a way a large shipment of fish.
My supplier has started limiting deliveries to every other week this year because of transportation costs following last years still lingering economy. This proves to be difficult as They don't always have what I need when I want it. But this week they had a good selection so I took advantage of it. We got both Koi and Butterfly Koi, Sarasas, Shubunkins, and Pond Comets. We also got some exceptionally nice Black Moors. I am pleased with the colors and and the assortment of sizes we got on many of the fish.
With the sharp increase of fish sells I am seeing this spring I am hoping that the fish supplier will begin to feel a little more comfortable and be making weekly deliveries soon.
Right now the selection is great, so if you are in the market for fish the fishing is good.
My supplier has started limiting deliveries to every other week this year because of transportation costs following last years still lingering economy. This proves to be difficult as They don't always have what I need when I want it. But this week they had a good selection so I took advantage of it. We got both Koi and Butterfly Koi, Sarasas, Shubunkins, and Pond Comets. We also got some exceptionally nice Black Moors. I am pleased with the colors and and the assortment of sizes we got on many of the fish.
With the sharp increase of fish sells I am seeing this spring I am hoping that the fish supplier will begin to feel a little more comfortable and be making weekly deliveries soon.
Right now the selection is great, so if you are in the market for fish the fishing is good.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Quick Note
Going to be a busy day, I will be off to work (Expertees) soon. I am so excited, We will be recieving a large shipment of fish tonight, so those of you who have been out looking for fish a good portion of them will be here this weekend. It will make for a long evening getting them all acclimated to the temperature difference and PH of my ponds. Japanese Black Trapdoor Snails are proving to be very popular once again this year. I believe I a hundred of them coming as I have sold most of my own stock in the last two weeks.
The Shipment I was expecting last week of pond supplies arrived and I will need to get it all priced and on the shelves......These things make believe that spring is truly here!
The Shipment I was expecting last week of pond supplies arrived and I will need to get it all priced and on the shelves......These things make believe that spring is truly here!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Season Opening
Today is Opening Day 2010! Overall I am pleased with the progress that has been made considering the weather we have had this Spring. About 75% of the plants are planted. Mostly it is just the Tropical and Semi-Tropicals that are lagging behind.
The Hyacinths and Lettuce arrived and look beautiful. The lettuce are particularly large this Shipment.
Some fish have arrived, and I was informed that fish deliveries will now be every two weeks instead of weekly. It appears the cold weather across the country has slowed shipments, Hopefully that will change as we move into summer.
Mother Nature appears to be smiling down on us this weekend by giving us a reprieve from the rain. Hopefully I will find a little mowing time today as the lawn is looking a fright, each time I have gotten a chance to mow it the rains have kept me from keeping up on it.
Our Spring Hours are Friday and Saturday 10-6, Sundays 10-5
The Hyacinths and Lettuce arrived and look beautiful. The lettuce are particularly large this Shipment.
Some fish have arrived, and I was informed that fish deliveries will now be every two weeks instead of weekly. It appears the cold weather across the country has slowed shipments, Hopefully that will change as we move into summer.
Mother Nature appears to be smiling down on us this weekend by giving us a reprieve from the rain. Hopefully I will find a little mowing time today as the lawn is looking a fright, each time I have gotten a chance to mow it the rains have kept me from keeping up on it.
Our Spring Hours are Friday and Saturday 10-6, Sundays 10-5
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Loving this Spring!
As the weather begins to warm the plants are beginning to spring to life. I got some things trimmed back today, and have began cleaning ponds to prepare them for the newly planted plants. I managed to plant three types of plants today. Got Moss Killer down on the yard and in general had a good day.....being outside with sun always has that affect on me.
Yesterday someone came by wanting fish food......once again I will tell you IT IS TO EARLY, feeding cold water fish or any fish when the temperature of the water is below 50-60 degrees is not good, and even harmful to them. As the sun hits the water they will begin to come to the top where the water is warmer, but they are still not active enough to be eating. Remember last summer when they swam and played. Until the water warms up feeding them is actually harmful to them. Their Digestive system is still dormant.
But back to your pond, now is a great time to clean it, early spring when the temps are still cool allows nutrients to be used up before the summer heat arrives bringing Algae. Also with the water temperatures cooler there is less chance of causing shock to you fish.
Yesterday someone came by wanting fish food......once again I will tell you IT IS TO EARLY, feeding cold water fish or any fish when the temperature of the water is below 50-60 degrees is not good, and even harmful to them. As the sun hits the water they will begin to come to the top where the water is warmer, but they are still not active enough to be eating. Remember last summer when they swam and played. Until the water warms up feeding them is actually harmful to them. Their Digestive system is still dormant.
But back to your pond, now is a great time to clean it, early spring when the temps are still cool allows nutrients to be used up before the summer heat arrives bringing Algae. Also with the water temperatures cooler there is less chance of causing shock to you fish.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
GEARING UP FOR A GREAT YEAR.
This weekend has been all about getting ready for a great year. I spent yesterday gathering supplies, items such as soil and gravel for planting, and getting them put into the shop. Today I prepped a couple hundred planters. This may seem early to many, but when you stop to think about the number of plants we carry, and getting them all planted and ready to go it really isn't.
I also got the filters cleaned in the large display pond and cleaned out the pumps. The fish seem to be enjoying the increased flow of water, as I didn't clean the pump last week. It would be nice to have the door open on the house so I could hear the water flowing.
I took a few minutes to take a look at the Sarasas and Shubunkins that were spawned here last year and am pleased with their progress. I also noted that the water lilies are putting up their first feeder leaves.
While most of other plants are lying dormant waiting for the water in the ponds to warm up a walk through the yard showed new growth on many plants. Daffodils are breaking the ground and both the irises and day lilies are shooting up quickly. Sprouts on the Gloriosa Daisies surprised me. Many of the ground covers have also began to grow. I received a very nice moss last year, that is almost fern like, I was worried it wouldn't take as I got it in November, but it is doing nicely. I guess I shouldn't have worried about it so much as I also noticed a beautiful crop of moss coming up in the yard.
I also got the filters cleaned in the large display pond and cleaned out the pumps. The fish seem to be enjoying the increased flow of water, as I didn't clean the pump last week. It would be nice to have the door open on the house so I could hear the water flowing.
I took a few minutes to take a look at the Sarasas and Shubunkins that were spawned here last year and am pleased with their progress. I also noted that the water lilies are putting up their first feeder leaves.
While most of other plants are lying dormant waiting for the water in the ponds to warm up a walk through the yard showed new growth on many plants. Daffodils are breaking the ground and both the irises and day lilies are shooting up quickly. Sprouts on the Gloriosa Daisies surprised me. Many of the ground covers have also began to grow. I received a very nice moss last year, that is almost fern like, I was worried it wouldn't take as I got it in November, but it is doing nicely. I guess I shouldn't have worried about it so much as I also noticed a beautiful crop of moss coming up in the yard.
Monday, December 14, 2009
December 2009
After several days of lows hitting 11 degrees the pond is masked by a heavy layer of ice. I tried to check the thickness of the ice yesterday, but couldn't get a good reading. Since the water remained flowing through it the edges of the ice where the water was moving are tappered. The best I could get was about three inches, but I have a feeling in the center it is much thicker. In the preformed ponds in front of the house where there was no water flowing I can see that the ice goes all the way to the shelf, 6 to 8 inches deep.
The water in the main pond continued to flow quite nicely durning this cold snap. The waterfall gathered some ice on the sides, but kept the upper pond open where it went in, and also where it flows out into the stream.
I did worry some about the stream getting clogged with ice and running over, but the water continued to flow under the sheet of ice. That movement kept the lower pond open where the water entered it.
The fish hudled at one end of the pond and seemed to be suspended as their metabolism has slowed. I easily managed to count 26 fish in this one spot at the foot of the pond.
The water in the main pond continued to flow quite nicely durning this cold snap. The waterfall gathered some ice on the sides, but kept the upper pond open where it went in, and also where it flows out into the stream.
I did worry some about the stream getting clogged with ice and running over, but the water continued to flow under the sheet of ice. That movement kept the lower pond open where the water entered it.
The fish hudled at one end of the pond and seemed to be suspended as their metabolism has slowed. I easily managed to count 26 fish in this one spot at the foot of the pond.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Winter Fish Care.
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.
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, November 15, 2009
Time to Winterize!
Getting your pond winterized in the cold can make you wonder why you have it, next spring and summer will reassure you it is all worth it. Taking care of things now can make your spring a lot easier and increase the chance of your fish surviving the winter.
Here at Finch Family Water Garden there is a lot to winterize.....which makes for some long cold weekends. I have spent most of my weekends since the nursery closed for the season on October 31 working to put things down for the winter.
THE DISPLAY POND:
At the first sign of leaves dropping (in late October) from the massive Walnut Tree in the back yard I put fencing up on the South end of it. While this doesn't stop all the leaves from entering the pond it does catch a large number of them and keeps the ones on the ground from blowing into the pond. Each weekend since then I have spent time removing leaves from the pond, cleaning the filters, pump and Skimmer. I have removed all the hyacinths and discarded them in the compost pile. I moved my tropical plants to the Greenhouse and removed the leaves from my waterlilies. Because the Bog pond is only gravity fed and has narrow outlets I have stopped the flow of water to it. Once the leaves have stopped falling and all is cleaned up I will turn the pump off in the skimmer and only run it occasionally. The main and largest pump will continue to run all winter.
THE NURSERY:
I have been busy cleaning the greenhouse ponds and moving the Tropical plants into them for the extra protection. As I move them in I remove excess roots and cut back the dying plants, cutting them back will be an ongoing process as I want them to glean as much energy as they can for the winter. The Hyacinths and lettuce have been discarded to the compost pile. The Hardy plants will get cut back and stay outside, and I will bring my parent stock up to get the different types of plants consolidated. For the upcoming planting season.
The remaining fish in the retail area were consolidated into one pond so I could unplug as many pumps as I can and only have one pond to clean over the cold winter months.
THE YARD:
The Tropical Plants on the patio have been moved into the house, The Gunnera have been cut back and covered to keep any frost Damage from occurring to their crowns, Sadly the cushions from the patio furniture have been put away for the winter. The leaves have been raked more than once, but still seem to be a ongoing battle but will be done falling soon.
THE PUMPKIN PATCH:
WE have a selection of gourds, and indian corn drying for seed stock next year. The remaining pumpkins are either getting cooked down to Pumpkin Puree for freezing or Broken open and fed to the livestock. While we had hoped for it to be dry enough this fall to till the ground it hasn't been yet. Leaf material and grass clippings from the yard will be added to it and we will move the compost piles into it soon. Plans are in the works for activities for next year.
Here at Finch Family Water Garden there is a lot to winterize.....which makes for some long cold weekends. I have spent most of my weekends since the nursery closed for the season on October 31 working to put things down for the winter.
THE DISPLAY POND:
At the first sign of leaves dropping (in late October) from the massive Walnut Tree in the back yard I put fencing up on the South end of it. While this doesn't stop all the leaves from entering the pond it does catch a large number of them and keeps the ones on the ground from blowing into the pond. Each weekend since then I have spent time removing leaves from the pond, cleaning the filters, pump and Skimmer. I have removed all the hyacinths and discarded them in the compost pile. I moved my tropical plants to the Greenhouse and removed the leaves from my waterlilies. Because the Bog pond is only gravity fed and has narrow outlets I have stopped the flow of water to it. Once the leaves have stopped falling and all is cleaned up I will turn the pump off in the skimmer and only run it occasionally. The main and largest pump will continue to run all winter.
THE NURSERY:
I have been busy cleaning the greenhouse ponds and moving the Tropical plants into them for the extra protection. As I move them in I remove excess roots and cut back the dying plants, cutting them back will be an ongoing process as I want them to glean as much energy as they can for the winter. The Hyacinths and lettuce have been discarded to the compost pile. The Hardy plants will get cut back and stay outside, and I will bring my parent stock up to get the different types of plants consolidated. For the upcoming planting season.
The remaining fish in the retail area were consolidated into one pond so I could unplug as many pumps as I can and only have one pond to clean over the cold winter months.
THE YARD:
The Tropical Plants on the patio have been moved into the house, The Gunnera have been cut back and covered to keep any frost Damage from occurring to their crowns, Sadly the cushions from the patio furniture have been put away for the winter. The leaves have been raked more than once, but still seem to be a ongoing battle but will be done falling soon.
THE PUMPKIN PATCH:
WE have a selection of gourds, and indian corn drying for seed stock next year. The remaining pumpkins are either getting cooked down to Pumpkin Puree for freezing or Broken open and fed to the livestock. While we had hoped for it to be dry enough this fall to till the ground it hasn't been yet. Leaf material and grass clippings from the yard will be added to it and we will move the compost piles into it soon. Plans are in the works for activities for next year.
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