Spending Time Outdoors

keeping up with the gardens

and yard work,  but the weather

has been beautiful so it's perfect.

The pond is entering one of

it's best blooming seasons as

most of these plants only bloom

in this late spring season.

These lovely blossoms just float along the edge,

and intermingle with the lilies.

The pink one is one of my favorites.

The taller plants in the back are lizard's tail,

pickeral rush,

and my favorite the yellow flag iris.

Along the front of the pond I always plant

some parrots feather.

I buy it new each year as it doesn't winter over.

The garden center cuts it off and I plant it at home.

It floats along the surface and closes up in the evening.

It provides not only shade, but protection for these guys.

You see we have this lovely blue heron and white egret

who think that my pond is their personal sushi bar.

This tiny little specimen is called duck weed,

it is so tiny that several would fit across

the width of your pinky's fingernail.

It just floats along the surface of the water.

I think it's called duck weed because it's often found in

natural ponds and serves as food for the ducks.

It serves as a tasty snack for my koi as well,

thank goodness it reproduces rapidly.

The majority of these plants are wintered over by placing

them in the bottom of the pond. It is over three feet

deep in the center and it allows the fish

to hibernate for the winter without danger of freezing.

I hope you've enjoyed my tour of the pond,

if you don't have room for a pond in your yard

consider using an old whisky barrel or large waterproof

crock. all you need is a small pump and some

plants and you'll enjoy the sound of water

trickling all summer. It's also good feng shui

to have a water element near your home.