LouC,
Can you tell us what is in that bog garden? I recognize the cannas.
Raised Ponds easy, cheap, fun and portable
You all have done a tremendous job on your unique ponds / features! Good job, I love them!
Because I am a "crammer" gardener, everything is crowded together. The obvious is the canna and I don't know the variety. The other is Louisiana Iris and they were to die for when they bloomed. Harder to see in a picture:
2 small Ti plants coming along nicely
A tomato cage turned upside down covered with incennse passeflora (right end)
Papyrus
Variegated wandering jew
black eye susan vine that has yet to bloom
yellow flowering ice plant that has gone wild
red hibiscus planted in ground on right end
volunteer morning glory going everywhere
corkscrew vine planted between the two tubs on the left end that is going wild (hasn't bloomed yet)
variegated airplane plant in hanging basket
kangaroo fern in hanging basket
Is there soil in the tank or are they in pots? What's the water level?
I love the look.
It is just about 3/4's full of MG soil. I heavily water it everyday but it has lots of rust holes so it doesn't actually hold water. Mitch had it buried in the ground with a plastic sheet of pond liner I believe. This drains quite well but I do attempt to keep it really wet. The iris and canna tubers were there as I got it last winter. I have added the other things. If a spot of soil shows up, I put something in it.
My yard is a very convuluted tropical/cottage garden. No rhyme or reason but it all seems to do very well together.
Last winter I purchased "Planket" from HD. Put the tropicals under water in the pond and wrapped the pond and bog garden all together. Gets lots of sun so it stayed nice a toasty all winter. Occasionally watered it a bit and things actually grew. Have lots of tropicals planted in ground around the front of the pond. Last year I potted them and took them inside. This year going to wrap and cross my fingers. Our ground does not freeze so most things are root hardy even if the tops die back. Where is Porter? I am 14 miles from downtown Dallas.
LouC
This message was edited Jul 6, 2008 4:20 PM
OMG Lou!! How on earth did you get all of that in there? LOL!! It looks so great! I have often thought about doing a bog garden, but just didn't want to dig the hole! LOL! If my little 3 foot pond pump ever plays out I might take over that spot for one though. I can hit it with water from the deck!
Hi LouC,
Porter is about 30 miles north of Houston.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions :)
I appreciate your interest.
Sheila, this little tank is 2' across, 4' long and 2' deep. Probably real cheap at Tractor Supply. I only paid $109. for the 2x6x4. Don't know where Mitch got the little one. It was well used as a stock tank before he even found it.
Christi
Here it is March 28, 2008 before everything got started. Amazing the difference in such a short time.
LouC
it did really get going! I too am a 'crammed' gardener. when I do a new garden, can't wait for it all to fill in and all the plants to jam against another. there's just something about a full garden that's satisfying.
as far as going together, it's always been my theory that if you like it, then, of course, it all goes together!
LouC, Your tropical/cottage garden is exactly what I saw in the displays at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The theme this year was All that Jazz (or something close to that) it had a New Orleans Jazz twist. I commented quite often about the mixes of Tropicals (something only seen in pots in my area) and familiar perennials planted together in the display beds. Your plants are beautiful and go together to create a wonderful lush look.
Lou..
I guess I have something else on my project list! I have a gate section that I purchased and have never liked the look of. I have the perfect spot for something like that with the gate up in it. May have to wait until Spring though.
Thanks everyone for sharing.
Lou - Your garden is really looking lovely! Quite quaint and unusual! Love those your 2 tanks! I wish I could find something like that here locally. Not likely. But I shall be keeping my eyes open!
Becky, what about an old bathtub? You can do quite a bit with them.
grey, your pond is one of the most original ideas I have ever seen. Multiple possibilities for the "round" pond.
Holly, I don't ever know what is the latest style in anything. Marched to my own drummer all my life. At one time in the 1980's, tried my hand as a accessories designer in ladies clothing. Actually, was a big success but the boutiques we sold to in the Apparel Market didn't pay their bills and after 4 years, gave it up. At 66 years of age, I am still young at heart. Just don't like that old woman that follows me everywhere I go. Can't seem to get rid of her. lol
My mother was always a decade ahead of what was the norm and I have taken after her. My dad always said, "Life is what we do while we are waiting to die". He also was a Christian so he didn't believe in eternal death, but eternal life.
At his funeral he asked that my mother read a poem that started...."Don't stand at my grave and cry....I am not there....I did not die."
WOW! I have really strayed away from the above ground ponds. Whew. Please forgive me.
Having surgery in a few weeks and have gotten waaaay to philysophical. (sp?)
Nighty, night.
LouC
Holly - An old bathtub??? I never even thought of that! Hmmm ... that might actually be a great idea! I am gonna have to think about that idea! Thanks!!
Lou - Apparently this surgery is weighing heavily on your mind? I am sure that the good Lord has many, many more plans for you, so try not to worry too much! But do keep us posted. I will certainly say a prayer for you that all goes well. Getting older isn't for the weak or meek, is it!?
Definitely not for sissies.
Back surgery.
Lou - I will say a daily prayer for you that the surgery goes perfectly and you are back on your feet in short order! Hang in there! A lot of your garden seems to be raised, which may work in your favor after the surgery so that you don't have to do a lot of bending. I find that to be a real hassle these days! The older I get, the harder it is to get up from squatting down or sitting down low! (sigh)
Thank you for your understanding. Will try to stay on topic in the future.
You are all very beautiful people.
God bless you everyday.
Christi
Ahhh Yes Lou, That old woman follows me around, too. Good luck with your surgery. I've had both my knee and shoulder done but the back is still holding up.
Becky, I have seen some very very nice plantings done with old tubs. I have one that was used for years to water the horses in the pasture. When I didn't need it anymore I threw extra pond plants in it. Or the kids used it to hold beer kegs. LOL It's in the project stage hopefully I will get it up and running before summers end. I wanted mine painted and Ric did that last fall so I expected it to be done for the water lotuses but I still haven't gotten it quite finished. Can't remember the name of the paint but it is a very bright orange/red. I only had the outside painted the inside is still white enamel. You can sink them in the ground or let them sit on top, painted or not. Lot's of options. I'll post pictures of mine when it's done.
Holly - Oh gosh! You managed to find a tub with legs! I doubt I will find any that good! Great idea! I definitely want to see photos when it is finished!
Holly, you are a inspiration in every area.
Christi
A tub is a great idea. And a great way to recycle. So I guess that makes your orange and white tub very green indeed! LOL
Christi, Thank you that was so very nice. I'm just lucky that I have some very handy guys here that help put together my ideas.
CajuninKy, LOL
Becky, I've had that tub for close to 30 years. My Uncle had it up at their summer place, they had a hand pump and this tub sitting outside. When they finally got around to building a cottage they offered me the tub to use as a water trough for the horses. We haven't had horses here for about 8 years now and the tub became a focal point for collected rocks, weeds and other junk. Two years ago I cleaned up the area and then stood back and thought now what am I going to do with that tub???? Here is a picture of it before I spend hours cleaning it up with a grinder and sandblaster.
Holly - OMG! It looks beautiful now! What great foresight! I can't wait to see how it looks when you are done!
Yes, please keep us posted.
All it's really waiting for is to get the plumbing hooked up. I have an old brass facet (courtesy of my son the plumber). I want to set up a circulating pump that will circulate the water through the bottom drain up some copper pipes and out the facet so it looks like a running tub. If I didn't want it plumbed all I would have to do is flip it over and put a plug in it. I've been giving that some serious thought lately as Jamie is so very busy right now. Although Ric or Josh could hook it up I really wanted Jamie to do it, he spent hours cleaning that old facet with a wire brush, so I'm willing to wait.
Oh my gosh, Holly. That is going to be so fabulous. And what a wonderful idea!!!! I can just picture it now. Makes me want to run out and try and find an old tub. That is going to look amazing.
my sentiments exactly!
Christi
Can't wait to see Holly's tub all done up.
I will post pictures, could be longer around here you never know which project will take precedence but I'm thinking with Jamie's and Ric's schedules should be about 2 - 3 weeks.
That tub is going to look so charming! What do you plan on planting in it?
Well, I bought water lotuses from the co-op thinking that would really look good but since I'm running behind gettting it finished the lotuses are already in the box pond not sure if I will move them or not. I potted up 2 Tropical Sunrise Cannas earlier this summer thinking they would look good in one of the ponds but one of them didn't come up and the other is growing very slowly. I definately want a Black EE but haven't picked one up and would also like to get some Callas. I have quite a few water liles in my other small pond (not a raised pond) so I could easily move one of those over if I can seperate one from all the others. So at this point I'm not sure if I want to move plants from my other ponds or just see what the local nurserys have left over.
I had a 300 gallon pond complete with waterfall when I lived down the bayou in south La. I had it set up to look like a little piece od swamp. I had a stump in the middle so the fish could hide from the cats and the herons. I also had La Iris in it and I had water hyacinth also. They were nice because they were free for the taking in the waters around home. They didn't need potting and when they got too thick I just plucked out the excess and tossed them. They have really pretty flowers on them. They also provided lots of shade to cool the water for the fish. I really hated having to leave my pond behind.
CInKy....Sounds like it's time to start digging again! A small pond can fit anywhere! :D
Hi,
I've really enjoyed this thread. I don't have a pond yet, but am trying to learn how to create a great one. I like these raised ponds a lot! Basic question: Is it best to site a water pond in full sun, or dappled shade? Which location is best for retarding algae growth? I have mostly shade in my yard. I live in a pine and post oak forest, and want to set up a "watering hole" for the deer and critters, but also have a few fish and plants in it.
Thanks. Hope this isn't hijacking the topic off course. It was not my intention. I just wanted to learn from you folks about site location for your type of ponds.
Thanks.
Ginny, Because my "pond" is metal I have tried to shade it as much as I can. Putting the smaller tank on the sunny side has helped a lot. I'd think full sun might cook the fish.
I am strictly an amateur, that's why I did the stock tank. Easy, easy, easy. Except I got in too big a hurry with the chemical settling in so that would be something you would need to go a little slower after you fill it with water.
Good luck. You will love it.
Christi
Shade is best for keeping the algae down.
But if it's under trees the leaves and debris can create a thick layer of sludge that robs the pond of oxygen. So you may have to skim it frequently.
They do have skimmer/filter combos that you can buy.
Ginny, make sure you plan in deep areas or lots of plants if you want fish so they don't get eaten by predators. My mom made a great fish pond, that she can't keep fish in, because it's not deep enough and the raccoons are too smart. She's tried about three time using different methods to prevent the fish from getting eaten and every time the fish have disappeared a couple each day.
Thanks everybody for the great tips. Your info was very insightful and helpful! I will definitely have to supply some hiding places that would make it hard for the predators to get to the fish. We have foxes, deer, raccoons, opossums, hawks, herons, bobcats, etc. out here that would love an easy fish dinner.
I'm thinking of placing a heavy clay pot upside down on 3 attached pvc pipes for feet (all underwater) so the fish could swim under and up inside of it for cover, as part of the design plans.
I am just in the planning stages now, and this forum is very helpful indeed. Thanks again.
Ginny, My box pond is in full sun and the fish seem fine but it is wood not metal and I was wondering if the bathtub (when it's finished) would get too hot for fish. I'll be putting that in a more shaded area. I do have algae bloom right now and I'm hoping that the waterlilies and lotus will eventually give enough shade to the water to cut down on the algae and level off. If your pond gets too much shade your water lilies won't bloom well, there are some that tolerate shade but most of them want sun. Shade will help control algae but water lilies and other floating plants will also do that, given time to grow and cover the water. You may want to look for an area that has both sun and shade at different times of the day. I haven't had much in the way of predator problems but I do have a cinder block in my pond It's just the right height to put pots of marginals on. There are spaces in the blocks that would give some protection to the fish. I use black milk crates in my other pond, mostly to sit plants on. I put them in upside down and get different heights by sitting bricks on the tops (really the bottoms of the crates).You don't really see the black ones and the smaller fish can swim through the spaces in the crates. Mostly to get away from the larger fish. Finding the best place to put your pond can be a difficult decision. You must first ask yourself what do you want from your pond? Do you want to be able to see or hear it from a certain spot, what kind of plants do you want to grow and what are their needs? You mentioned a watering hole, is there a specific spot you want to draw the animals, too? Then find a place that will meet those requirements best. You may have to do a little give and take to get what is most important to you.