Flower Gardens

» Joni Rose - a little detour to garden ponds

It was quite the overhaul...it sadly needed it.

Yes, they are mostly Spring bloomers and cooler weather seeds as we do have a more mild climate. For example, I tend to plant the majority of my veggie garden closer to our May long weekend (May 24). Summers tend to be average...a few hot days here and there where we see temps in the high 20's C (I think that translates to 70 F??) All I know is that I could go barefoot as a kid when the temps reached 70 F. Rain - yes - lots of rain.

I will plant summer seeds once I start to see the spring flowers fading.

And yes...did have to climb in the pond. I filled a large 177L garbage pail with top pond water and then drained the rest out onto my lawn (fish fertilizer of sorts!) and then caught the fish with a net once the shallow end was drained. There were so many of them! And some are brown so they hid in the sludge. Once I got the fist out and into the pail, I had to scoop up the crud with a dollar store dust pan (was a great tool for the job!). Then we hosed and scrubbed down rocks etc. My friend helped me to secure a couple of plastic baskets (another dollar store find) onto large bricks so that I could put plants in the middle of the pond away from the racoon's reach! They have eaten all my plants!

The pond is too deep for the raccoons to be successful but they like to try...families of them sometimes!

Funny you should mention selling the fish. They are very healthy looking and so my friend may have a buyer. I'll probably give some away on trade for plants if I can find a taker or two.

Speaking of that...it reminds me of another bargain technique - getting the excess perenials when friends with gardens divide them. I have snagged a few free plants that way. I also knew someone who would look for demolition sales and then come with a shovel and pots to take away anything worthwhile. She was able to get an amazing amount of plants that way...sometimes for free...other times for next to nothing! I used to laugh at her with her as she kind of went a little overboard with it!

Ahhhh everyone loves a treasure!

Joni