Cooler temperatures are the thing again with a slight freeze in Ohio.  I tend to feel drained when the days are rainy but that sunshine sure makes one feel good again!  We turned the garden over this week and that's the last of the tomatoes until next year.  I do really enjoy the garden and the benefits of enjoying the fresh vegetables all winter long but it keeps one busy during the month of August.  Now its apple time....I like making the fresh applesauce and putting away a few whole apples for the apple crisp and pies.  There's nothing better than a warm apple crisp on a cold winter day.

Let's face it....there isn't much to do with the pond now that summer is ending and things are put to bed.  I pulled all the water hyacinths out last week.  Trimmed up the lilies and took all the tropical waterlilies and put them to bed in the greenhouse for the winter.  I still have to drop the hardy waterlilies but some are still blooming so I'll wait awhile yet.  My cardinal flower is still standing tall and I must say this has been its best year yet! I had at least 7 flowers on it and the hummingbirds sure were happy!!

I wish it would rain, we need it.  This is the Rain Lily that finally decided to start showing off its stuff.  They say they bloom alot after a rain but seeing rain isn't in the forecast for awhile I can't say if it will bloom more then or not.

These Rain Lilies are such a brilliant white, almost translucent.  They make a nice plant for the edge of your pond or in a bog area.  I have mine placed near the waterfall close to the edge in a shallow area.  Again this is one plant that doesn't want much water, just keep the roots wet.  Its hardy to Zone 7.  They prefer full sun but I have mine in more shade and it seems to being doing great.  It probably gets about 2 hours of the morning sun.

Remember the large lotus bud well it finally revealed itself today.....its a Red Scarf. 

So as I'm enjoying the lotus from my kitchen window I managed to get my tomato juice and salsa canned.  At least I'm finished until the next pickin....

Enjoy your pond....season almost over.

Many of the tropical bog plants will winter well indoors in a sunny window or under a flouresant grow light. They do not need to be submerged in water. Keep the soil constantly moist by placing the potted plants in a tray of water.

A stunning taro plant is the Black Magic with its charcoal black leaves, it will create a tropical look to your pond.  It grows to 2' - 3' tall and loves lots of fertilizer.  They do well in hot, humid weather and will grow large leaves if not left in the hot afternoon sun.  Full sun is not their preferred exposure so you should try and give it shade in the afternoon. 

Taro plants make excellent plants for container gardening.  Try combining a Black Magic with a Imperial Taro for a dramatic effect.  Remember Taro plants can easily be brought indoors for the winter as a houseplant to be enjoyed all year.