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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: tednlou2 on October 30, 2013, 02:13:18 am

Title: Until Next Year
Post by: tednlou2 on October 30, 2013, 02:13:18 am

I wanted to share some pics of the pond.  I have not shared any, since we enlarged the pond this year.  We went from about 900 gallons to about 1,900.  We went wider, longer, and deeper.  I love fall, but it is also disappointing that the fish will begin to semi-hibernate and won't be seen much until spring.  We will get a net this year, as we lost 2 fish in early spring to a hawk, when there was no plant coverage.  They have caverns to go to, but if they come out there is no plant protection.

It has been very relaxing sitting outside and watching the fish.  They are not afraid of us, at all.  When we have to get into the pond for cleaning, they come right up to us.  The big koi seems to play games with our Puggle.  He will come right up to him, as if he's taunting him.  The puggle is like a cat.  He is mesmerized by the fish.  Our other dog could care less, but she does not like us feeding them.  She wants to eat their food-- even trying to jump and catch what we throw into the pond.  The pregnant goldfish spawned 3 fish in the spring.  Well, 3 survived.  Then, we were surprised by at least 2 more fish in late summer.  I hope they are strong enough to survive the winter.  If they spawn like this every year, we will have to give fish away.  We started them on their fall diet a few weeks ago, when the water temp hit 65.  With the early cold snap, the water is already at 50 degrees.  You're suppose to stop feeding at 50, because their bodies are slowing down and the food may rot in their gut.  They look so pitiful wanting food.  But, many don't feed their fish at all.  They eat insects, algae, and other pond life. 


(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130728_134520_RichtoneHDR_zpscdaa8ba3.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130728_134637_RichtoneHDR_zps96b48923.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130728_134725_RichtoneHDR_zpsffd7cafc.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130728_134907_RichtoneHDR_zps41e956c2.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130729_144211_RichtoneHDR_zps18a41819.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/IMAG0011_zpsfc81a891.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130728_134553_RichtoneHDR_zps125dc800.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130624_233420_LLS_zpsbb165556.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130624_200810_RichtoneHDR_zpsb4cb1d38.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130618_214239_zps30eb3031.jpg)

(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130623_174317_zps496abb01.jpg)

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: leatherman on October 30, 2013, 02:16:56 am

how beautiful. thanks for sharing  ;D

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on October 30, 2013, 03:11:14 am

Beautiful setting!  I want to just sit out there and meditate.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: BT65 on October 30, 2013, 04:31:55 am

Gorgeous.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: GSOgymrat on October 30, 2013, 08:49:39 am

Beautiful! It looks like a really tranquil place.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: wolfter on October 30, 2013, 11:59:02 am

Beautiful!  Am I the only gay man in the world who prefers to tinker on cars instead of having a beautiful garden? 

Bill forbade me from ever, ever using the weed eater to assist in his gardening.  I thought I was helping him out only to learn I ridded the yard of some exotic grasses.  I still contend it looked worse than weeds.  :)

Wolfie

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: mitch777 on October 30, 2013, 12:39:01 pm

Great job Ted!
I know how much work it took you to create such a beautiful garden. A tip of the hat from a fellow gardener. :)
Love the plantings as well. Those dark grasses really help set the scene. (yes, Greg, those are grasses not weeds. ::) :).)
Boy those koi are huge! I bought 4 koi the first year we had our pond but the Blue Herons scooped them up like candy once autumn arrived. Boo. :( I gave up after that and just stuck with cheap goldfish. I also stopped feeding them years ago. They didn't seem to mind as a dozen soon became 6 dozen!
Nice statue. No fig leaf. :)
Thanks for the pics!
m.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: Denver Toad on October 30, 2013, 01:15:51 pm

What a remarkable, tranquil, beautiful pond and garden. I can only imagine the hours you've put into the making. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: Theyer on October 30, 2013, 02:29:53 pm

Thanks, its a labour off love , I am intrigued by what your neighbours make off it.

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: Jeff G on October 30, 2013, 02:39:27 pm

Ted , that's really beautiful and impressive . I am going to choose to be inspired as opposed to green with envy . I really want to do something beside my patio and would be happy if it were half as pretty as what you created .

No vacation for me this year , I'm going to finish my landscaping .   

Title: Re: Until Next Year
Post by: tednlou2 on October 30, 2013, 10:38:15 pm

Thanks for all the compliments.  It was a lot of initial work, but then just regular maintenance.  The water temp tonight was back up to 57 degrees, but most sites say to not feed the fish, as the temp could plummet again.  But, Brian did tonight-- after he told me to cut off food.

I just learned they don't have stomachs and food goes directly into their gut.  When cold temps come, their bodies slow down and so does their immune systems.  Oh, if you're looking for a good plant, that plant with the orange/yellow flower is a Canna.  It bloomed about 5 times over the season.  They are tropical though, but read we can store in the garage and they should come back.  We had a red variety that shot its bloom about 4 ft into the air, so it could reach the sun I guess.  Or, to get noticed by the bees.