2018 pond and garden, landscaping, Pond building

If it’s the weekend, we have probably been outside gardening or working on the pond…

Posted by lorivertin on
I’m predicting that the large koi might be able to move into the large pond in three weeks – but that’s a big maybe. The best plans will often get derailed by weather, work and other things that happen. This weekend I finished another large gardening project. Gardening is important to me because I happen to want to feel like I have been transported to a different world when I view my koi. The koi can’t see my plants but I’m sure they would approve of their setting. I feel sorry for the little koi hanging out in the garage because it’s only artificial light and filled with typical garage stuff. We think the karashigoi and kaede are a little depressed being indoors. Today’s post is a series of photos with explanations – fast reading (or no reading).
This area used to be the waterfall for the lower pond. Once we abandoned the waterfall, it became an eyesore that I was usually able to ignore. Last summer, I put in a herb garden in the lower third. This year my daughter replanted some fresh kitchen herbs and I tackled the portion up to the pea gravel pile. I put in some more herbs - aka shiso, rocks to hold the slope and random plants from around the yard.
This area used to be the waterfall for the lower pond. Once we abandoned the waterfall, it became an eyesore that I was usually able to ignore. Last summer, I put in a herb garden in the lower third. This year my daughter replanted some fresh kitchen herbs and I tackled the portion up to the pea gravel pile. I put in some more herbs – aka shiso, rocks to hold the slope and random plants from around the yard.
I moved the japanese black pine from the waterfall area to here. It really should not grow in my zone but it's hanging in there. This dwarf plant was nibbled on by the rabbits last year so it looks rather thin on this side. The traditional guidance is to plant a Japanese pine with a rock and artful clump of grass. I feel I'm a little off on proportion here but I can always move the grass.
I moved the japanese black pine from the waterfall area to here. It really should not grow in my zone but it’s hanging in there. This dwarf plant was nibbled on by the rabbits last year so it looks rather thin on this side. The traditional guidance is to plant a Japanese pine with a rock and artful clump of grass. I feel I’m a little off on proportion here but I can always move the grass.
First zinnia of the year - I have about twenty that are ready to bloom...
First zinnia of the year – I have about twenty that are ready to bloom…
little pink hydrangea came back after winter
little pink hydrangea came back after winter
The hoverflies visiting my yarrow flowers look like miniature bees.
The hoverflies visiting my yarrow flowers look like miniature bees.
sadly- there is always a problem in the garden - something is definitely wrong with this magnolia. I'll need to ask the garden center...
sadly- there is always a problem in the garden – something is definitely wrong with this magnolia. I’ll need to ask the garden center…
Some of my peonies will get powdery fungus on them. I would think being in the full sun would keep it down but this year I may need to spray with neem oil. Maybe I should try it on my magnolia as well.
Some of my peonies will get powdery fungus on them. I would think being in the full sun would keep it down but this year I may need to spray with neem oil. Maybe I should try it on my magnolia as well.
Another milestone this weekend was getting our new pond liner. Wrestling a few hundred pounds is not fun. Unless your brother in law has left the utility vehicle at your house for the summer. This has been one of the best tools. We used the winch to drag the liner off the truck. The only problem is a few divots in the yard, but I'll take divots over strained muscles.
Another milestone this weekend was getting our new pond liner. Wrestling a few hundred pounds is not fun. Unless your brother in law has left the utility vehicle at your house for the summer. This has been one of the best tools. We used the winch to drag the liner off the truck. The only problem is a few divots in the yard, but I’ll take divots over strained muscles.
We have been struggling with the best way to get the liner in since we have a lot of finished landscaping around the pond. As I was working in another part of the garden, it dawned on me that I could just temporarily relocate the plants near the waterfall. Now we have an area that can be trampled on, maneuver a liner, etc. The other benefit is that I can just rethink how I want that area to look.
We have been struggling with the best way to get the liner in since we have a lot of finished landscaping around the pond. As I was working in another part of the garden, it dawned on me that I could just temporarily relocate the plants near the waterfall. Now we have an area that can be trampled on, maneuver a liner, etc. The other benefit is that I can just rethink how I want that area to look.
relocating plants was a good time to subdivide some of the plants
relocating plants was a good time to subdivide some of the plants
Relocating large junipers has never really worked out well for us. However, junipers are not that expensive and I decided to try an experiment with subdividing the juniper to see if smaller versions will take.
Relocating large junipers has never really worked out well for us. However, junipers are not that expensive and I decided to try an experiment with subdividing the juniper to see if smaller versions will take.
the temporary nursery for relocated and struggling plants
the temporary nursery for relocated and struggling plants
The pond builder spent most of the morning raking, smoothing and tamping the pond floor.
The pond builder spent most of the morning raking, smoothing and tamping the pond floor.
He's pretty detailed about checking the slope and it's kind of like designing a putting green. We want to be sure everything is flowing smoothly to the bottom drains.
He’s pretty detailed about checking the slope and it’s kind of like designing a putting green. We want to be sure everything is flowing smoothly to the bottom drains.
Pond builder always does a good job and works very hard. 😍
Our weekend meals are often taken outdoors. Door dash is one of the greatest services as well as call ahead to various places. It's nice to eat with the koi. They are always curious and hopeful that we will feed them. We never give them anything except koi food.
Our weekend meals are often taken outdoors. Door dash is one of the greatest services as well as call ahead to various places. It’s nice to eat with the koi. They are always curious and hopeful that we will feed them. We never give them anything except koi food.
I was showing the pond builder today a new scarf that my sister made for annual koi show. Very lightweight and she found two tones of red similar to the koi.
I was showing the pond builder today a new scarf that my sister made for annual koi show. Very lightweight and she found two tones of red similar to the koi.
koi doing their thing...
koi doing their thing…
The pond builder has an oxygen meter coming in this week so that we can check on the pond's oxygen level. We feel we have plenty but would like to check and perhaps adjust the level.
The pond builder has an oxygen meter coming in this week so that we can check on the pond’s oxygen level. We feel we have plenty but would like to check and perhaps adjust the level.
Now he’s starting on some more concrete work. I should probably go out and supervise…

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