POND UPDATE

The bullfrog tadpoles and our pond snails arrived this week, to say we were excited is an understatement!

13 tadpoles made it here alive.

Here my husband is releasing them

Some had legs, some didnt

Trapdoor snails

We also added 6 new Koi to the pond and some new plants...everything is looking good and the algae bloom is almost gone.  It has been cool here this week and feels like fall but is suppose to warm back up this weekend.   I dont mind alittle cool as long as things still grow,,,nothing will keep me from my gardens! 



THE POND IS COMING ALIVE.

Alot of new things have been happening around the pond.  One new thing is we ordered some bullfrog tadpoles and trapdoor snails that will be here today.  We dont like using chemicals in the pond and this will be a great natural way to keep the pond clean.  The bullfrogs will just be a great thing to watch for our grandchildren, and us of course!

Our potmen have finally made it to the pond and are happy as can be with there new hair!  They make a great addition and focal point for any visiter to our pond area.

My little pond guy relaxing at the edge

This is my new bigger guy with his spiked hair

We also put up a new solid fence in the back to make it more secluded.  I love to be up by my pond and relax by myself away from the nosey neighbors and kids who try to throw things into the pond!

The monarch butterflys are early in our area this year, probally from the unpredictable weather we had all winter.  We didnt see any until July last year.   The milkweed is just big enough to lay thre eggs on.

Monarch butterfly eggs on milkweed

Butterfly/hummingbird garden

I will update as soon as my snails and bullfrog tadpoles are in the pond and moving around...Its very exciting here, around the pond!

MAY GARDEN HAPPENINGS

Mays weather has been unpredictable to say the least.  Its still a bit chilly most days to keep plants out even though I have managed to keep my cool weather veggies growing and my over wintered geranium happy to be outside again.

The pond has the overwintered spikes planted around it now and the cattails in the back are getting big.  The honeysuckle vine next to the green house is ready to bloom.  The dog under the vine is checking out the little birds nest built there.

A few pond lily pads have finally reached the top of the pond

My container cabbage and broccoli are growing great

 

And my radishes are finally ready to eat

I also put in a small potato patch and they are growing great in the cool weather too.

We cant forget the geranium....

I find myself really busy now with the extra gardening and yard work so I don't blog as often but to me that's a good thing.  Hope every ones gardening is going great too!

Enjoy the spring!

SIGNS OF SPRING

It has been a beautiful end to winter here.  Spring has not even officially begun yet and we have had 60 and 70 degree temps by the shores of Lake Michigan.  Here are a few pictures of spring in my garden.

All the ice is gone from the pond

Fish!

More fish

My new pot man, waiting in the greenhouse for some "hair"

Basil sprouts

Hope everyone is enjoying the new season and are enjoying there gardens as much as I am enjoying mine!



MY OWN LITTLE PARADISE

     My pond is the focal point of my backyard, surrounded by all my flower gardens.  It has the ability to attract birds and butterflies and soothe the savage beast in all of us.  Its melodious tunes of the waterfall has a mesmerizing aura.  I call it my summer paradise.

     Don't get me wrong, among the beauty there is alot of hard work that takes place.  I have been working on my pond for years to come up with the perfect Eco balance.  The fish and plants keep the pond clean in the summer and fall and overwinter in there aqua oasis in the winter and spring.  Oxygenaters are added to the water in late fall and a large hole is pounded in the pond daily in the winter to keep the toxic gases from building up.

Late summer

summer pond



winter pond