Getting Ready for Fall

Summer is not quite over yet, but you may have noticed that the days are getting shorter, nights are cooler, and leaves are starting to change colours in some areas.

All telltale signs that autumn is just around the corner.

Now’s a good time to start making a checklist of things you’ll need to ensure that you’re prepared to handle all the tasks related to transitioning to autumn, which will make winterizing so much easier later on.

 

Your checklist should include the following:

• Pond thermometer
• Pond netting
• Pruning tool, nets & skimmers
• Air pump, aeration kit, pond de-icer
• Fish Food for Fall Feeding

Water Temperature

Since water temperature plays a huge role, especially if you have fish, it’s always a good idea to check if your pond thermometer is working properly. Water temperature is your cue to when you should switch to feeding fish food specially formulated for fall feeding. More about this below.

Pond Netting: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

One of the best ways to make maintenance easier is to place Laguna Pond Netting over your water garden to capture falling leaves. This way, you don’t have to toil as hard later on to collect scattered leaves, especially those in the deep end.

Pond Netting

Pruning tool, nets & skimmers

Ensure that you have the proper maintenance equipment to get the job done. A pruning tool is excellent for trimming plants. Nets are perfect for handling fish, skimmers are ideal for capturing surface debris.

Air pump, aeration kit, pond de-icer

Take stock of your winterizing equipment and ensure that all is working well for the upcoming winter season.

Fish Food for Fall Feeding

As mentioned above, tracking water temperature is critical heading into colder weather. Pond fish have special nutritional needs when the air cools  and the water temperature gets into the 8° to 10° C (47° to 50° F) range – they need more wheat germ in their diet. So make a mental note to pick up a bag of Laguna Spring/Fall Fish Food with Wheat Germ.

If you follow all the above recommendations, you’ll be well on your way to making a seamless seasonal transition. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer!

Reflections from Misericordia

We've had the opportunity to learn more about the water gardening history at Chicago's Misericordia Home and how Laguna has been able to contribute. We received some great feedback from Jeff Hudec at Misericordia about the success of their pond. See his message below:

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We’ve had our pond for about 11 years now. It started as a pond about 100 gallons in size, and has expanded into one that now holds 1000 gals of water, ten Koi, two water turtles and one large Pleco.  Roughly 100 of our residents help to care for our pond on a weekly basis and almost all of the 600 residents who live at Misericordia have enjoyed viewing the pond at some point or other.

Just over a year ago, the Greco Gardens at Misericordia Home received a donation for our indoor Koi pond. The donation consisted of a Laguna Pressure Flo 1400 filter and a Max Flo 900 pump. Before receiving these items, I tried more pump and filter combinations from more pond companies than I care to remember and none of them worked very well or for very long. 

The Laguna products are superior in every imaginable way to every other filter/pump combination I’ve used to keep our pond clean and healthy. With minimal maintenance, these items have kept our 1000 gallon pond free of debris and crystal clear for over a year now.  The filter is easy to clean and requires little effort to maintain. The pump also runs smooth and with very little trouble.

I cannot recommend these products more or thank Michael Zmina more for donating them to us. Our Koi are much happier as are our resident workers who now can enjoy viewing the fish in crystal clear water year round.  Thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hudec, Misericordia Home, Greco Gardens.

Misericordia Home loves their pond!

Water Features for Wellness

The Misericordia Home in Chicago, Illinois is a campus for children and adults in Chicago with developmental disabilities, many of them are also physically challenged. Nanci Martinez, Supervisor for the Developmental Training Program at Misericordia, had became aware of our water features at Laguna Ponds and asked us if we would be able to install one in their Wellness Garden. The garden is an area for daily mediation, yoga classes, and other programs for residents and staff. 

Laguna's Mike Zmina was happy to oblige, and offered to set up our windmill water feature. The addition to the Wellness Garden has been successful in so many ways. Misericordia staff have shown enthusiasm in learning more about water gardening and Laguna water features, while the residents at Misericordia have shared great feedback about their garden addition.

Nanci shared some warm words about Laguna's donation to Misericordia.

Here are some pictures of the amazing water feature that you donated to our developmental training program. The residents and staff are enjoying it a great deal. It's a wonderful place for the residents to enjoy daily programming in addition for the staff to relax and unwind on their breaks. I really appreciate you helping make our wellness garden at Misericordia the wonderful place that it is.

Again, many thanks! 

Nanci

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About Misericordia:

Misericordia offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged.  By serving society’s most vulnerable citizens, Misericordia also serves the families who want the best for them, yet cannot provide it at home.

Misericordia's Mission Statement:

The Mission of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy is to support individuals with developmental disabilities in maximizing their level of independence and self-determination within an environment that fosters spirituality, dignity, respect and enhancement of quality of life. We promote development of natural family and community support, community awareness, education and advocacy.

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When are Aeration Kits Necessary?

When are aeration kits necessary? Actually aeration kits are a vital piece of equipment in a pond year round. During the winter months they are used to keep water moving, help to maintain a small opening in the ice and for gas exchange. They are just as important during the hot summer months when warmer waters are not capable of holding as much dissolved oxygen.

There are many factors that affect the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in a pond, these included nutrients, algae and temperature. The DO level in a pond is important because this is the amount of “air” available for pond fish to respire; as these levels drop it makes fishes breathing more difficult and the fish may actually come to the surface of the pond “gasping” for air. In order to correct this problem things such as fountain heads and waterfalls are used to increase oxygen levels. But as stated earlier there are several factors that add to lower oxygen levels. Temperature is one of these factors and with the current heat wave that is hitting some areas of the country fountains and waterfalls may not be enough to maintain an adequate DO level in ponds; in which case pond aeration kits can be an essential piece of equipment in a pond. 

PT1620 Air Pump Kit (50LPM)

Laguna Air Pump Kit

Using an air pump during the warmer, summer months in ponds that have an excess of algae is just as important as using it during the winter months. Aquatic plants, particularly oxygenating plants (anacharis, hornwort, cabomba) will produce oxygen during the day; however at night aquatic plants go into reverse photosynthesis and deplete the water of oxygen, thus lowering the DO levels. This along with warmer waters and high organic levels can cause fish kills; in the ocean this is know as “red tide.”

As we continue to head into the heat of the summer months if you don’t have an aeration kit as part of your pond equipment you may want to give this some serious consideration. Adding an air pump will help to improve the health of you pond and its inhabitants.

For additional reading, visit the Laguna Ponds website.

Controlling your Pond Algae

Here at Laguna, we've been spending time learning with and engaging our online community. We are developing relationships with other bloggers who share our interests in gardening, ponds and everything related!

Below, we've reposted a great piece written by Joe Ropp of the Homes Alive Pet Centre in Alberta. Joe enjoys communicating about his work with others through the articles he writes for the Homes Alive blog. You can visit the Homes Alive blog right here for interesting stories and helpful tips about your pond, your fish and more.

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Put Pond Algae Control in your Hands
Written by: Joe Ropp


Product Review: Laguna Pond Clean Granules

One of the best water gardening products to come to market in the last few years, Laguna Pond Clean Granules target excessive algae, debris, and water quality. There are few products that work as quickly and safely.

Relying on the scientific process of oxidation, these granules have an almost magical quality to them.  You simply sprinkle the powder on the areas of your pond that have excess algae, or any other organic debris. You can instantly see results.  

The algae and debris will either begin to float to the surface, where it can easily be skimmed off, or it will disappear completely.  Laguna Pond Clean Granules are particularly effective for cleaning rocks and waterfalls. 

The oxidation process has other added benefits. The pond clean granules noticeably enhance water quality in the hours after application.

Being a product that relies on contact to work, it is important to turn off the water flow before application, and then restart it after 10 -15 minutes.  

Safe for plants and fish, use Laguna Pond Granules weekly to keep your pond healthy and looking great.  This is one product that does not disappoint. An essential part of any water gardener’s maintenance kit.


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For more from the Homes Alive blog, click here!

Laguna at Garden2Blog

If you follow P Allen Smith as closely as we do, then you're already well aware of the the Garden2Blog event he hosted earlier this month. For those of you who aren't familiar with the occasion, it's kind of like a show and tell involving some high profile personalities from the gardening community.

As Allen himself stated at the beginning of his most recent blogpost, the easiest way to keep up with the gardening world is gardening blogs! The Garden2Blog event is fantastic for bringing together garden experts, passionate authors, plant distributors and more, all on the same platform.

Floating garden created at 2012 Garden2Blog

With beautiful garden structures, photo-hungry guests and plenty of food, the event is always a fantastic way to celebrate such an impassioned hobby. Allen is a prime example of organically-focused growing, and the health of his plants truly do justice to the extra care he takes in his work. Laguna was very pleased to share our knowledge of water gardening with enthusiasts who traditionally stick to soil. Hopefully we've inspired more people to introduce the elegance of ponds.

Thanks for the great times!

See photo albums from the most recent Garden2Blog on Facebook.

For more about water gardening, stop by our Laguna Ponds page.

Canadian Laguna Spring Tour

Laguna Spring Series

We are excited to be bringing our tour north of the border! See our tour dates and locations below.

April

04/21: Embrun, OC, Co-op Embrun Rona, (Seminar Starts: 11am, Meet the Laguna Pond Specialist)

04/19: Chateauguay, QC, Animalerie Felix (Seminar starts: 4pm-6pm Topic: opening a pond+starting a pond)

04/21: Chateauguay, QC, Animalerie Felix, (Seminar starts: 9am, Topic: opening a pond and starting a pond)

04/28: Drummondville, QC, Pepiniere Henner-(discounts available, Topic: opening and building a pond)

04/ 29: L'assomption, QC, Pep. Villeneuve Porte ouvertes, (9am ,Topic opening and building a pond)

May/June

05/5: Chambly QC- Ferme Guyon (Seminar starts: 9am, Topic :pond opening and information event)
05/5: Burlington ON- Holland Park Garden Gallery (Opening seminar at 11am, Meet Laguna Pond Specialist)
05/6: Pierrefonds Montreal,QC-West Island Nursery (8am -11am Topic: Pond opening and information event)
05/6: Sainte Catherine, QC, Titi et Gros Minet (1pm-3pm Building and maintenance of a pond)
05/10: Mississauga, ON, Sids Ponds and Gardenscapes (7pm, Meet the Laguna Pond Specialist - Pond Opening and algae control seminar)
05/12: - Trois Rivieres, QC, Jardin du coin event (9am Topics: Laguna products and opening a pond)
05/26: -St Paul, QC,  Pepiniere ST PAUL, (9AM Topic: Pond building, maintenance, information session).
05/26: St. Paul, On, Klomps Plantscapes (10 am Topic: Combined seminar - Pond Opening and algae control seminar & Pond planting and maintenance with Moores Water Gardens)

05/26 - Trois Rivieres, QC, Jardin du coin  (9am,  Seminar on Laguna products and opening a pond)
06/2: Peterborough,ON, Peterborough Landscape Supply (10am-2pm,Topic: Meet the Laguna Pond Specialist day)

6 Easy Steps for Opening Your Pond

Spring… it’s time to clean that pond!  Here are 6 easy steps for opening your pond.

Step 1: Clean Up

The first thing you’ll need to do is clean up the mess left over during the course of the previous fall and winter.

Use a pond net, skimmer or pruning tool to remove leaves, twigs and debris in, around, and at the bottom of pond. Use your pond vacuum to suck up dirt and plant matter from the base of the pond.  Ideally, choose a cordless vacuum to allow you to move freely around your pond.  Look for one with chopping blades to help speed things up. Make sure your thermometer is working properly, if it isn’t, install a new one.

Step 2: Refill your Pond

Early spring is a good time to consider a partial water change, depending on the pond’s condition (and what was done in the fall). Winter run-off may contain pollutants that may have seeped into the pond.

Use a pump to partially drain the pond. Before refilling the pond, let the water run a few minutes to flush the pipes. After replenishing the water, add a pond water neutralizer to eliminate chlorine and chloramine as well as to neutralize harmful metals.

Step 3: Clean & Start the Equipment

Pond equipment should have been cleaned and packed away for winter. If it wasn’t, make sure that you clean them thoroughly before restarting.

Take your filter apart and thoroughly rinse all media in a bucket of water (pond water taken from the pond - never use tap water as the chlorine will kill off the beneficial bacteria that keep your pond water in biological balance).  Replace filter foams if required before reinstalling your filtration systems.

If pumps were in operation over the winter, remove and clean them. Reassemble any hoses and other water runs and inspect for damage. Repair and replace as required, then test to ensure that everything works.

 If you have a waterfall, use waterfall foam to fill in gaps and openings in waterfall area.

If you have a UV sterilizer or if your filter contains a UV-C lamp, early spring is a good time to replace the bulb as its effectiveness dramatically reduces after 12 months.

 When the water temperature remains above 7ºC / 45ºF, start the filter and the UV clarifier to maintain clear water.

To help achieve optimum water conditions, add in barley straw and peat granules to the filters biochamber or directly into the pond (using a mesh bag to contain the product).

Step 4: Adding Fish

Fish that have been kept indoors for the winter will need time to adjust to the pond’s environment. A sudden change in temperature and pH level can harm them. Ensure that the water temperature is a minimum 15°C /60°F before relocating the fish back into the pond. Allow them to acclimatize gradually. Never pour or drop them into the pond. Gently net and place them in a plastic bag for transportation.

If you have purchased new fish, put the bag in the pond and let it float untied on the water surface. Wait about 10 minutes or until the temperature of the bag and the water are about equal, then untie the bag and add a small amount of pond water to the bag and leave for another 10 minutes.

Repeat the process once or twice more, then add ½ a cap of pond water neutralizer before gently allowing the fish to swim out of the bag and into the pond.

Moving can be traumatic on fish, so watch them carefully to ensure that they’re adjusting to their new surroundings and that there are no losses. Also check ammonia and nitrite readings regularly, using a pond test kit, to ensure that the biological filter is establishingrapidly and effectively.

Fish should be fed only when the water temperature is consistently above 8°C/50º F. Once above 8°C/47ºF, begin feeding a spring/fall formula food enriched with wheat germ, it is low in protein, easier to digest, and helps minimize waste. When the water temperature stays above 10ºC/50º F, switch to an all season formula. Feed amounts that fish can eat within a few minutes and remove any uneaten food.

Step 5: Planting

Prepare a spot where you can set up everything you will need (soil, pea gravel, pruners, planting baskets or tubs, fertilizing spikes and pond plant fertilizer).  This location should be close to the pond in order to facilitate planting them into the pond.

To pot pond water plants, simply trim any damaged or dead parts and then partially fill the tub, planting basket or bag with soil (container will vary depending on plant type), center the plant and finish filling with soil – take care to leave enough room at the top to add a top layer of pea gravel. 

You can soak plant roots in a fertilizer solution prior to planting increasing their growth and flower blooms significantly (always read fertilizing directions carefully to avoid damaging the roots) or use fertilizer feeding sticks to ensure a well-balanced “diet” all season long.

Add new plants as the weather becomes appropriate for each plant.  Floaters should be added once the danger of frost has past (late spring). 

The plants can be placed back into the pond during the filling process. 

Step 6: Treat Pond Water

The best time to start the pond’s biological system is at the beginning of the season when the water temperature is above 10°C/50° F.

Add a dose of biological supplements to replenish essential biological colonies and eliminate harmful ammonia and nitrites.  Removing excess phosphates after the long winter will help restore and maintain the natural balance of pond water, resulting in clear pond water.

Now sit back and enjoy your sparkling pond!

Laguna Spring Tour

"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my
fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar." ~Helen Hayes

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DATES

A koi paradise!

With temperatures on the rise and spring in the air we are really gearing up for a fantastic Pond Season!

Come and join us as we share our passion for water gardening in our Spring Series as Laguna Ponds hosts a variety of events and seminars at local garden centers throughout the U.S. Below, you can find a calendar list of our U.S.A. Spring Events. We invite you to join us at a garden centre near you.

Water features add a touch of class to your pond

Laguna Spring Series

March

03/22: Swansea, MA - The Bloomin Barn   (Seminar)

03/23: Fairfield, NJ - Fairfield Garden Centre   (Seminar)

03/24: Berlin, NJ - Dambly’s Garden Centre   (Open house)
03/24 : Yucaipa, CA - Exotic Waterscapes   (Seminar starts at 9:00 a.m., discounts up to 40%)

April

04/05: Fairfield, NJ - Fairfield Garden Centre   (Seminar starts at 7:00, Topic: Ponds 101)

04/12: Howell, NJ - Twin Ponds Garden Centre   (Open house)

04/14: Vineland, NJ - South Jersey Landscapes   (Open house)

04/14 : Upland, CA - Mystic Koi   (Open house starts at 10:00)

04/14 : Marion, TX - Water Garden Gems   (Texas Koi and Goldfish Society show)

04/15 : Marion, TX - Water Garden Gems   (Texas Koi and Goldfish Society show)

04/18 : Fairfield, NJ - Fairfield Garden Centre   (Seminar starts at 7:00, Topic: Ponds 101)
04/21 : Davidsonville, MD - Tropic Bay Water Gardens   (Open house)

04/21 : Yucaipa, CA - Exotic Waterscapes   (Seminar starts at 9:00 a.m.)
04/26 : Howell, NJ - Twin Ponds Garden Centre   (Seminar starts at 6:30, Topic: Ponds 101)

04/27 : Fairfield, NJ - Fairfield Garden Centre   (Seminar starts at 7:00, Topic: Advanced Pond)

May/June
05/05 : Hyannis, MA - Hyannis Country Gardens   (Open house)

05/12 : St. Louis, MO - Alternative Pond Market   (Open house)

05/19 : Upland, CA - Mystic Koi   (Open House)
06/09 : Colts Neck, NJ - Brock Farms (Open house) 

Laguna at the Global Pet Expo

Laguna is at the 2012 Global Pet Expo!

Look for those Yellow boxes

Global Pet Expo, the pet industry's largest annual trade show, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA).

The 2011 Show featured 835 exhibitors, 2,380 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. 4,691 pet product buyers from around the world attended.

In 2012, Global Pet Expo will take place February 29-March 2 in Orlando, Florida. Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, and other qualified professionals.

http://globalpetexpo.org/

Water Lilies

While many water gardeners take an enormous amount of pride in caring for a wonderful pond, some place more emphasis on the fish keeping aspect, while others focus on tending to the flowers, and grooming a beautiful garden.

Caring for water lilies is a neat niche within the pond world, and it has plenty potential for the passionate gardener to get more involved its finer details. Below is a neat link with a huge gallery of award winning flowers!

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The International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) is a non-profit organization of multinational membership dedicated to the furtherance of all aspects of water gardens and their associated plants. As an organization we support and promote education, research, and conservation in these areas.

See the winning flowers from the 2011 New Waterlily Competition