I Can Feed My Fish Every Day. Big mistake. Koi, Rudds, Shubunkins, Orfe should never be fed, goldfish have to be. By feeding fish, you actually overfeed because they can and do easily live only on algae and plants and this extra, overfeeding causes ammonia and nitrogen levels to rise dramatically, and bang, split pea soup time again. It's also injurious to their health to feed regularly, because deadly ammonia and nitrite levels rise dramatically and prevent their gills from carrying oxygen to their bodies, resulting in nitrite toxicity. A dose of pond salt temporarily blocks this effect and stabilizes the fish until nitrite levels can be decreased by your stopping the food supply.

The Common Ground Shale Rock Is OK To Use As Coping. Wrong. Hundreds of millions of years ago, this area was an ocean floor, and the shale rock you pick out of the ground now was formed in sedimentary layers. After bringing it out of the ground, many of the layers flake off, and the resulting mica (shiny chips) that gets into the pond is harmful to the fishes' gills, acting like glass when intaken and causing internal damage and death. Always use quality mountain stone as coping rock in a pond or water garden, and you'll never wonder why your fish are dying mysteriously. It's available locally at reasonable prices. Don't shortcut this step or you'll really get what you didn't pay for.

Lots Of Fish Make My Pond A Fun Place. Wrong again. Lots of fish cause stress on each other, the Bio-Filter and the entire ecosystem. And will result in mass death. Overload anything and watch it fail. Poor water quality and low oxygen levels are just two of the symptoms. Especially in the summer, when heat causes water to retain less oxygen than in cooler spring and fall months. Gradually add fish over time until the ecosystem can adjust and rebalance itself properly.

My Pond Is Just Fine As It Is. Major misconception. You need to become a Pond Manager, with daily checks on the fish, other animal life, the Bio-Filter, Pump and its filters, debris at the bottom, plants and water coloration. And you must have the willingness to act quickly when "something" isn't right in the pond or you'll lose what you've got in there. PH and ammonia levels need to be monitored weekly and adjusted, if incorrect. One of the first signs of trouble in a pond, water garden or a natural wetlands is the absence of frogs. They usually find their way to running water, and leave (or die) when the pond's ecosystem becomes unbalanced. If you can get a frog to stay in your pond, you've got a winner.

Getting The Garden Ready

Early Season Bloomers

Alpine Trough Gardens

Little Gems.

Wildflowers - Do It Now

Garden Center Is Available For Meetings & Tours

Healthy Ponds.

Healthy Ponds...continued

CATV The Weather Channel - Smart Viewing

1997 Workshop Schedule

1997 Workshop Schedule...continued

1997 Workshop Schedule...continued

Water Gardens - New Products Update

Clear Ponds.

Clear Ponds...continued

Fertilizing Evergreens & Conifers

Fertilizing Gardens

Year 'Round Container Herb Gardens

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