I almost can visualize the thawing of the ice.....even if its only 12 degrees this morning.  Today a heat wave, yesterday morning it was only 3 degrees.  But its February now so we can all start thinking about spring.  When the pond is frozen I always wonder what those little fish are doing under there.  There have been a few days this winter when the ice started to melt and the fish were near the top checking things out.  It wasn't long and they disappeared again probably thinking its just too cold yet to go up there.

I start getting anxious in February for spring to arrive and like many of you probably start thinking about what I want to plant this year.  We've been pretty lucky so far this winter in Ohio.  It seems the snow keeps wanting to go south......lucky for us but not so lucky for those in the south. 

We have alot to share this year and are really excited about our pond plants so let's all start thinking SPRING and visualizing those water lilies floating on our ponds and the fish waiting at the edge of the pond for their treats.  It won't be long now.

As water temperatures cool, algaecides such as PondCare Algaefix, Microbe-Lift Algaeway and Green Clean are less effective. Adding Microbe-Lift Barley Straw Extract or Barley Straw Bundle will help control string algae throughout the fall and winter months. Microbe-Lift Barley Straw Extract, Microbe-Lift Barley Straw Pellets or Barley Straw bundles are an effective and eco-friendly way to reduce algae.

Purchase MicrobeLift Barley Straw, Barley Bundles, Barley Pellets here.

I thought we would share some pictures of ponds that I have taken over the summer.  Its interesting to see what can be done with a water garden.

A water feature can become an artful addition to any landscape.  A water feature should complement and enhance the landscape, fitting into the surrounding scheme and placed where they look most natural.   A powerful waterfall gives self-expression and fulfillment to some while for others, nothing is nicer than a stream flowing into a bog garden and lily pond.  Some enjoy just growing aquatic plants in a container garden on their deck or patio.  The possibilities are endless but the beauty is your choice.

Be sure and add a sitting area where you can sit and enjoy your garden retreat.

Plants in picture Thalia Dealbata, Umbrella Palm

Ah! It's finally Spring, or so we think. Mother Nature has a way of tricking even the most experienced water gardener. We finally have a week of warm temperatures, things are coming alive in our ponds. After months of rain, sleet, snow and ice we are all ecstatic. Armed with our pond gloves, waders and nets, we set out to begin cleaning our ponds. We check temperatures and think it is time to add some plants. Seems safe, after all the temperatures are rising. Place our orders, plants arrive and all seems well. Then out of nowhere (actually Canada), comes a cold front with freezing nighttime temperatures. We frantically remove our floating plants, new bog plants and place them in the garage or on the covered porch for the next couple of days.  Then, temperatures rise again and out the plants go again. We try our best to ship the plants when the time is right for planting in your planting zone. Unfortunately, we can not control Mother Nature and her unpredictable ways. We have customers on the west coast, that are in Zone 8, shipping time for them is supposed to be Mid-March, as of last week the Pacific Northwest was still getting snow and freezing temperatures.  We are still holding those orders, hoping Mother Nature will remember what time of year it is and let up on those folks.  Just, remember when receiving new plants in the Spring to keep a watchful eye on the temperatures,  in case Mother Nature tries to play a trick on you!