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.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thanks!
I received a letter this past week from Google. I was a little surprised to say the least--they know What Finch Family Water Garden is? Yep, they do, it was a congratulations letter for being a favorite place on Google. It went on to tell me the number of times google users found my business and also how many times they requested additional information between July 1st and September 30th of 2009 (Seeing the statistics stacked up was shocking as I can only see the last month at any given time).
I have to Chuckle some, as I watch the statistics and what people are searching for when they find me daily, and I know this quarters statistics will blow the ones that got Finch Family Water Garden noticed by Google out of the water even now that the nursery is closed for the season.
Thanks to Google for acknowledging it, but Thank You for searching for Finch Family Water Garden. You are the ones that have made Finch Family Water Garden a favorite place on Google and your favorite place to go for all of your pond needs.
I have to Chuckle some, as I watch the statistics and what people are searching for when they find me daily, and I know this quarters statistics will blow the ones that got Finch Family Water Garden noticed by Google out of the water even now that the nursery is closed for the season.
Thanks to Google for acknowledging it, but Thank You for searching for Finch Family Water Garden. You are the ones that have made Finch Family Water Garden a favorite place on Google and your favorite place to go for all of your pond needs.
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.
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.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Giving Thanks.
Myspace Graphics, Thanksgiving Graphics at WishAFriend.com
At times it is easy to find the blessings in your life, at others it seems to be more of a struggle. But every day, and no matter what is going on, if we take the time to focus we can find the good in our lives. Thanksgiving is a day that is brought to the forefront for many. Thanksgiving isn't the only day that we can look for the things we are grateful for. I have a rock that a friend sent me four years ago, it is my gratitude stone, and was sent to me specifically for that reason. The instructions I got with it were simple.....Think of something each morning that you are grateful for and then place the stone in your pocket. Yeah right your thinking......but let me tell you what I found, my attitude became more positive. When the weight of a day got too much and I felt I was on my knees and no one knew what I was feeling or going through, (you know that feeling) I could could reach in my pocket and feel the stone--and it gently reminded me of the things I was grateful for. I started a thread on a message board and the momentum of that empowerment grew....soon people all over the world were speaking their gratitude--some for huge things some simple things, I would like to think it made their lives better, and I hear from many of them still, and it did make a difference. Why do I tell you this story? Because not a day goes by that I don't look for the things I am grateful for.
Through out the nursery season I am grateful for your friendships and support. And now with the season over I can take the time to reflect on it.....
My customers are really my friends. So many of you ask about my mother, Many bring people from out of state to share the pond and nursery. Many of you come out and your kind words encourage me to keep striving to make the the yard and nursery a better place. Other nursery owners come to see what's happening......We have become a community, and I am grateful for that and each and everyone of you.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
