We're digging a pond / bio-retention basin. I got a new tractor, and kind of got out of control. (Right now it's a big mess) I would like to grow cattails, but I know that they're invasive. If we sink a plastic basin with the bottom cut out, will that contain them, or will they sneak out under the bottom? I'm not sure of how they spread, but I assume it's from runners off the root?
Any suggestions?.
This is a natural pond in heavy clay that will hold the runoff from our gutters and yard drains. We are putting in an overflow drain that goes to a creek, but the bottom will be clay, no liner. I plan to put large flat stones around the edge so it's not muddy.
It's a work in process, so any thoughts are appreciated.
Yes, I'm a woman, and I'm the one doing the tractor work. I love my little red tractor with loader and backhoe! And I'm getting pretty good. My husband does the grunt work after he comes home from his office job. Beats going to the gym!
Building new pond - cattails?
Ana: Leave the bottom on the plastic basin and put something heavy in it to hold it down. The Cattails would throw runners on the bottom.
Cattails are the kudzu of the pond world. My suggestion would be to grown them in tubs around your pond and not in them. Even then they will probably get a foothold in there. Some of the varieties are pretty though and they will provide covere for frogs and such.
Analemma
where abouts are you? I'm over in Sagamore Hills... I would love to have your play toys.... My DH keeps talking about going and renting one of those little bob cats for me to play in the dirt with....LOL
Janet
Janet,
I'm in Olmsted Falls. We're practically neighbors.
Here's a photo, but you really can't tell too much detail with no water in it. I've piled the dirt to make a mountain, and hopefully it will get an awesome waterfall next spring.
Isn't my red tractor cute?
Oh, tetley, if you wanted to say the one word to make me think "invasive" it would be kudzu! I grew up in South Carolina, and remember all the fields with farm houses standing in the middle that had been devoured by kudzu.
Brenda
Both my stepchildren live in GA and the kudzu will eat anything in it's path. They thought I was touched when I wanted to go get some vines to make baskets out of and stopped me because there was no way to know what was under all of the vines. Could have fallen off a cliff and would never have known.
I LOVE your little red tractor. WAAAH! I want one ------ stomping feet and crossing arms ------
Man am I jealous been wanting a tractor or little bobcat like that for years. But on the other hand I cant imagine how out of hand things would get if I had one. Who needs grass the whole yard one giant pond. LOL Cant wait to see your progress.
Alright Brenda, you have no business showing off that play toy knowing that I'm a stones throw away.... Don't be surprise if you get a call from my DH wanting to know if I can come to your house to play...rofl......
Sweet it is and oh what things I could do with that baby....LOL
Janet
Yesterday I dug the trench with the backhoe to carry the gutter flow to the pond. I'm getting pretty darn good with the backhoe! When I first was learning, I felt like such a klutz that I had to make myself let the left hand sit in my lap when I used the right control, and vice versa, because I would get so confused about which hand did what. The disadvantage of growing up before video games, I guess.
But, I'm living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks! Hmmm, what can I dig next??? This is a perfect job for a woman. I'm overweight and arthritic, and I can make things happen with this baby! My husband is doing the shovel work, he's so much stronger than I am, and this way we can really do a big project together.
See what I mean before long your gonna have a 100,000 gallon pond and no grass to mow. Little dozers are way too much fun to play on.
Brenda: Please tell me al the features/benefits of that red tractor thingy. (I want one too!) What make and model is it? V. Cute (if garden tools can be called cute . . .)
Linda
Hi, Mothermole, I'm on vacation right now and don't have all the specs. But, it's a Massey Ferguson, and it's the smallest "full size tractor" that comes with the backhoe and loader as part of the package. I believe it's 23 HP, but I'd have to double check. It's four wheel drive with positraction (that helps when I'm stuck in the bottom on the pond in the mud.)
Try this:
http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/mf/na/tractors/mfgc/GC.htm
The thing that is great is not having to change gears to switch from forward to reverse, it's all in the foot pedal, just like the lawn tractor. Push with the toes, you go forward, down with the heel, it reverses.