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For new and experienced pond owners and pond keepers. If you have a pond question, let me know. Maybe I know the answer. Or if I don't, someone else will. If no one knows the answer, we can learn together.


Jan
<img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

Question:
How do I net a sick fish in cold weather.

pondlady sez: Pour some hot water in the pond near where you have placed a net, convenient to where you can stand comfortably. When the fish swims over to find a nice warm spot, he should swim right in net.

Water lilies are beginning their descent into winter dormancy. Stop feeding in October and let them start their winter sleep. They will wake up in May or June. Start feeding again when the leaves reach the top of the water.

Will my cat eat my fish?

Pondlady sez:

Most cats do not like to get their feet wet and are fed well at home anyway. Kitties will watch the pond for hours and yes, occasionally I see a kitty come over the fence with wet feet. <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

Can I just leave my pump running in the winter and then the pond won't freeze?

Pondlady sez: Nope, pumps don't like cold weather, but more than that, you are churning the water around so the fish can't find place to just be in torpor,, like hibernation, but moreso.

There's foam at the bottom of my waterfall. What should I do about it?


Pondlady sez:

Leave it alone and it will go away in a day or two.

What about snakes?

Pondlady sez: It's funny that we build a backyard wildlife habitat for all critters and then we want it to be a gated community. Yes, you will have snakes, but they will be the same snakes you already have. Now they have rocks to sun themselves on and live under. They thank you and so do I.

What about pH?

Pondlady sez:
Usually you don't have to worry about pH at all. If you put a new concrete block in the pond to elevate a plant, it will leach out lime and raise the pH to dangerous levels. Age or paint the concrete block black first.

Be sure you know where you want your pond before you start digging. And be extra sure you know where all pipes and wires are underground. Usually your public utility can come over and put markers where they are if you ask.

If you are willing to remove plants for overwintering and have a shade pond, you can use houseplants that like wet feet in your pond. Think Spaths, pothos.

If your pond is leaking check your waterfall first. Turn off the pump, fill up the pond. Wait until tomorrow. If the water is still in the pond, it was leaking from the waterfall. Turn the pump on and you wil probably see the problem right away. Shift the rocks around and your pond is just fine again.

If you have a liner leak and you are above sea level, pour a bit of fine sand in the water...it will gravitate toward the leak.

Cut pond plants back to nubs just before winter and they will return in the spring happy and brand new.
Watch for my article on overwintering your pond.

What kinds of problems have you had with your pond? Do you fight green water?

Fish can get sunburned. Be sure to provide shade for them.

Are you ready for winter? See my article just out:

watergardens.bellaonline.com

Check all points in my article. If you follow them, you will have a safe healthy pond in the spring. To read the article, click on watergardens.bellonline.com just under my name.

Do you take your fish inside for the winter?

Look for my article on How to Choose a Pump coming out Monday

Check here for lots of pump information:

http://watergardens.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

I have an article on rain gardens coming out tomorrow.


Also check here for decorating your pond for the holidays currently posted.


http://watergardens.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

Check the water gardens site for information and how-to's of rain gardens and building one for yourself.

http://watergardens.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

My article will be out at 10:00 am today, Monday, November 5th, 2006

A rain garden sends excess water into your garden, not into the storm drains.

Here's how you can build one easily:

http://watergardens.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

For goldfish questions see my latest article:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42525.asp