my gardens in Shelton, were a bit like that. so Green with the rhodies azaleas and irises!! we still will fly back, and see relatives in Olympia and her place is filled with flowers and shrubs, Its just so pretty 🙂 but, Rain… will do that LOL
Seems as if my flowers are really taking off with the cooler weather. They are always the biggest and prettiest when it is time for frost. I’m thinking of trying to bring some inside this year to see if they live.
The pond looks good in both pictures 🙂 Season changes can be sad though. I tucked away sandals and shorts today so I’m feeling the sadness too. 🙂
OK you’re hired to fix me a pond next spring. Your place always looks like a real vacation retreat. Even now, there’s the waterfall. Sigh. (Besides Molly Malamute could use a spot to cool off in the summer…Nooooo. Still may try anyway) Looks like you’re ready to take on the next few months.
Our next door neighbor had a pond and a dog. It was a Portuguese water dog and she loved to go in. Their pond was bigger than mine. Sadly both dog and pond are gone. You would need a big batch of Turkish towels to dry Molly off but it would be worth it!
I’m glad you got the job done! It isn’t lush like spring and summer, but it still looks very nice! I don’t need to winterize, but the lilies are definitely dying back. And last night a raccoon thrashed the pond, eating a few fish and it just looks awful! Every fall! I guess that’s my version of winterizing?
We have 4 birdfeeders around the pond. The raccoons come and dine on the sunflower seeds but have never done any damage to the pond. Occasionally a pot near the edge is turned over but I always assume some critter was getting a drink and got sloppy. Technically I have too many fish so I could spare a few. The problem is that they always take the prettiest or biggest. For a while I had a groundhog who ate the lily pads that were near the edge. A deer did the most damage a few years back and caused us to fence the yard.
Of course, the summer photo is quite lush — absolutely gorgeous. I like the bare pond too, especially since the brilliant fish stand out. Perhaps they don’t STAND out, but they are very visible now. I’d love to watch them swim about.
They are very friendly, coming to the edge when they see me (hoping I’ll feed them). I am going to try not to overplant next year because I like to watch the fish too.
It’s not as much work as you think. We’ve had it for 8 years. It’s looked differently as I’ve tried different plants around it but it seems to be doing well now.
What a beautiful pond! It must be hard emotionally to winterize it, but obviously everything grows back wonderfully. It looks like the fish have been busy making little fish.
The change in how the pond looks is profound. There’s a nice balance going on there. I like both of the looks. Seasons change. Might as well go with it.
Unless I plan to build a greenhouse over it, I have to go with it. It has a different serenity. Cutting back the foliage stops it from decaying and fouling the water but it also gives it “the winter look.”
WOW, you are really talented in the yard. It’s not just the pond, but the backdrop, too. Super green thumb. The pond still looks nice winterized, honest!
The pond has been a learning experience. Not everything I have planted around it did well. Some things overachieved and had to be removed. It’s a humid environment so finding the right stuff has taken a lot of time. I often wonder if it will ever be “done.”
It is pleasant enough and we are not outside much during the winter. When there is a partial freeze and snow covers most of it (I keep an area open for gases to exchange for the fish), it has a wintery beauty. Still like it best in the summer when flowers are blooming and frogs are croaking and fish are doing whatever they do.
Fortunately the sunflower seed feeders stay up all year and soon I will put out the suet. The heated bird bath is set up although I won’t plug it in until we start getting frosts. I run a very well known bird restaurant here! 🙂
Hey Kate – Smarten up! Your pond is only sad because you remember how it was in August. It still looks lovely, and I bet there are many people in your area who would love to have your pond (in its current state) in their back garden! Be thankful! Here endeth the first lesson! 🙂
I know. *hangs head* I had 5 frogs watch me clean it. They weren’t happy about seeing their prized hiding places get cut but soon they will hibernate too. The waterfall is still on and we’ll keep in on until the end of November or when we start getting consistent freezes. When that goes off it’s silent but then again we are inside and fish and frogs are hovering at the bottom waiting for spring.
It’s 5′ x 11′ which isn’t big. During the season it’s not much work at all. The filter unit gets backwashed once a week. It’s very easy and takes less than 5 minutes. I do a complete water change in the spring because I have too many fish there is a lot of poop over the winter. That is work but it takes about 3 hours plus time to refill. The fall cleanup is less work except I have to dismantle and clean the filter. I would do it again but perhaps a little smaller although maybe not! 🙂
You have a beautiful pond – much bigger than I imagined.
It’s always so sad to pull out the reminders of summer. I’m so far behind in my seasonal to-do list. Maybe I can draw inspiration from you and get my behind in gear. This morning we had frost … it’s time.
It’s really not big. It’s 5′ x 11′. We haven’t had a frost yet and the temps the rest of the week look warmer than usual. We will get on soon though. I hate doing the clean up when it’s really cold. We still have the screened porch cushions to bring in and furniture to cover so the work isn’t completely done.
There’s a garden pond locally as the frogs hop past my front door to reach it. The marina was awash with toads, one even trying to get into the ladies shower block!
Living near water is great. You don’t need your own pond and that’s less work. The frogs often come up on the patio or go in the groundcover around the house to catch bugs.
It was emotional work! The fish survive the winter. There is a bubbler in there to keep a section of the water open. The water lilies will start to push up pads around the end of March or when the water warms up a little from the winter.
The winterized version is still lovely!
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so beautiful, so zen, relaxing; and it reminds me of the Pac NW where I lived for ages! cheers, Debi
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Thanks!
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my gardens in Shelton, were a bit like that. so Green with the rhodies azaleas and irises!! we still will fly back, and see relatives in Olympia and her place is filled with flowers and shrubs, Its just so pretty 🙂 but, Rain… will do that LOL
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Rain helps a lot.
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Seems as if my flowers are really taking off with the cooler weather. They are always the biggest and prettiest when it is time for frost. I’m thinking of trying to bring some inside this year to see if they live.
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Flowers are like hair. They are the most beautiful right before you cut them off.
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The pond looks good in both pictures 🙂 Season changes can be sad though. I tucked away sandals and shorts today so I’m feeling the sadness too. 🙂
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I did that about a month ago. 😦
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We’ve been away, that’s why I’m late doing it. 🙂
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OK you’re hired to fix me a pond next spring. Your place always looks like a real vacation retreat. Even now, there’s the waterfall. Sigh. (Besides Molly Malamute could use a spot to cool off in the summer…Nooooo. Still may try anyway) Looks like you’re ready to take on the next few months.
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Our next door neighbor had a pond and a dog. It was a Portuguese water dog and she loved to go in. Their pond was bigger than mine. Sadly both dog and pond are gone. You would need a big batch of Turkish towels to dry Molly off but it would be worth it!
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I’m glad you got the job done! It isn’t lush like spring and summer, but it still looks very nice! I don’t need to winterize, but the lilies are definitely dying back. And last night a raccoon thrashed the pond, eating a few fish and it just looks awful! Every fall! I guess that’s my version of winterizing?
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We have 4 birdfeeders around the pond. The raccoons come and dine on the sunflower seeds but have never done any damage to the pond. Occasionally a pot near the edge is turned over but I always assume some critter was getting a drink and got sloppy. Technically I have too many fish so I could spare a few. The problem is that they always take the prettiest or biggest. For a while I had a groundhog who ate the lily pads that were near the edge. A deer did the most damage a few years back and caused us to fence the yard.
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Of course, the summer photo is quite lush — absolutely gorgeous. I like the bare pond too, especially since the brilliant fish stand out. Perhaps they don’t STAND out, but they are very visible now. I’d love to watch them swim about.
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They are very friendly, coming to the edge when they see me (hoping I’ll feed them). I am going to try not to overplant next year because I like to watch the fish too.
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I like the look of both ponds as well. I am impressed by the amount of work that you put into this!
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It’s not as much work as you think. We’ve had it for 8 years. It’s looked differently as I’ve tried different plants around it but it seems to be doing well now.
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Not much work? That’s even better!
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Very pretty pond.
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Even bare, it is nice.
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I love this pond … in all its seasonal ‘outfits’!
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Aww, thanks.
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What a beautiful pond! It must be hard emotionally to winterize it, but obviously everything grows back wonderfully. It looks like the fish have been busy making little fish.
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Dang those fish! More birth control discussions next year.
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It amazes me how quickly it fills in in the summer! You sure have a lot of fish!
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Even I was surprised at how many fish I have. Way too many! They reproduce like flies.
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The change in how the pond looks is profound. There’s a nice balance going on there. I like both of the looks. Seasons change. Might as well go with it.
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Unless I plan to build a greenhouse over it, I have to go with it. It has a different serenity. Cutting back the foliage stops it from decaying and fouling the water but it also gives it “the winter look.”
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Every season has it’s beauty. Your pond is lovely!
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Thanks. You are right although summer is my favorite season for the pond.
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How beautiful. I like it both ways. Definitely more work than I would do. You are so kind to the world.
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Thanks but it’s not really all that much work.
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WOW, you are really talented in the yard. It’s not just the pond, but the backdrop, too. Super green thumb. The pond still looks nice winterized, honest!
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I have a list of all the plants and trees that didn’t make it! 🙂
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The “Before” pond is spectacular and even denuded for winter, it has a tranquil appeal. You obviously have an artistic touch along with nature.
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The pond has been a learning experience. Not everything I have planted around it did well. Some things overachieved and had to be removed. It’s a humid environment so finding the right stuff has taken a lot of time. I often wonder if it will ever be “done.”
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Your August pond is gorgeous, Kate! I can see why it’s worth the effort of opening it in the Spring and closing it in the Fall.
It looks a bit “barren” in the 2nd shot . . . but still pleasant enough. And it’s nice to see the fish flitting about.
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It is pleasant enough and we are not outside much during the winter. When there is a partial freeze and snow covers most of it (I keep an area open for gases to exchange for the fish), it has a wintery beauty. Still like it best in the summer when flowers are blooming and frogs are croaking and fish are doing whatever they do.
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That really is sad. 😦
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It is but next spring it will be back. Hopefully.
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you can see it as something good too…all things go to bed and sleep till spring…. wish we could do that too ;o)
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I do sleep more in the winter. When it gets dark my body thinks it bedtime!
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I felt the same when we recently took down our last hummingbird feeder, Kate. It is sad, but now we’ll look forward to next spring.
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Fortunately the sunflower seed feeders stay up all year and soon I will put out the suet. The heated bird bath is set up although I won’t plug it in until we start getting frosts. I run a very well known bird restaurant here! 🙂
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We do too, Kate! We’ve got to take care of our little feathered friends, right? 🙂
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Right!
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Hey Kate – Smarten up! Your pond is only sad because you remember how it was in August. It still looks lovely, and I bet there are many people in your area who would love to have your pond (in its current state) in their back garden! Be thankful! Here endeth the first lesson! 🙂
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I know. *hangs head* I had 5 frogs watch me clean it. They weren’t happy about seeing their prized hiding places get cut but soon they will hibernate too. The waterfall is still on and we’ll keep in on until the end of November or when we start getting consistent freezes. When that goes off it’s silent but then again we are inside and fish and frogs are hovering at the bottom waiting for spring.
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🙂
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Like Joanne, I had imagined it be slightly smaller also. It’s absolutely beautiful and must require so much work during the season. Well done! – Marty
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It’s 5′ x 11′ which isn’t big. During the season it’s not much work at all. The filter unit gets backwashed once a week. It’s very easy and takes less than 5 minutes. I do a complete water change in the spring because I have too many fish there is a lot of poop over the winter. That is work but it takes about 3 hours plus time to refill. The fall cleanup is less work except I have to dismantle and clean the filter. I would do it again but perhaps a little smaller although maybe not! 🙂
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Still pretty! Still lush. And I can see the fish!
Can you tell I live in a desert? Anything green is lush.
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I like seeing the fish and have put a note in my pond file to not overplant next year. This is just a little bare.
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You have a beautiful pond – much bigger than I imagined.
It’s always so sad to pull out the reminders of summer. I’m so far behind in my seasonal to-do list. Maybe I can draw inspiration from you and get my behind in gear. This morning we had frost … it’s time.
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It’s really not big. It’s 5′ x 11′. We haven’t had a frost yet and the temps the rest of the week look warmer than usual. We will get on soon though. I hate doing the clean up when it’s really cold. We still have the screened porch cushions to bring in and furniture to cover so the work isn’t completely done.
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It’s beautiful outside here too. I did a couple of hours of yard work this morning, but there’s so much more to do!
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Now I’m depressed.😞
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Misery loves company!
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There’s a garden pond locally as the frogs hop past my front door to reach it. The marina was awash with toads, one even trying to get into the ladies shower block!
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Living near water is great. You don’t need your own pond and that’s less work. The frogs often come up on the patio or go in the groundcover around the house to catch bugs.
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That’s true Kate.
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Still a lovely pond, just tucked in for a nap
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It is. Just a different more barren look that I have to get used to.
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THAT was a lot of work! It was absolutely gorgeous in August. I still see fishies in the second picture. Will they need little coats?
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It was emotional work! The fish survive the winter. There is a bubbler in there to keep a section of the water open. The water lilies will start to push up pads around the end of March or when the water warms up a little from the winter.
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