We try to help people learn how to take care of their Ponds throughout the seasons in an efficient manner. One important way to stay ahead of water quality issues in the Fall is to cut back and remove the Aquatic Plant waste before frost. And more importantly, before it gets to cold to get in your pond…
My Pond Tip today is – Start sooner than later on Seasonal Aquatic Plant cutback & cleanup!
What do I need to do to my Pond in the Fall? I get this question a LOT at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio this time of the year! #1 Cut those aquatic plants back!
Aquatic Plants are a big part of a healthy ecosystem! They absorb all manner of pollution and nutrients from the water and store them in their plant tissues helping to clean and purify the water. BUT, if the plants are allowed to die and decompose in the pond all those nutrients and compounds are released right back into the water! This will create YUGE Water Quality issues! Algae blooms, Green Water, Bad Smells & Fish Health issues – even fish death 💀!
Yes, you even need to cut back your Lotus plants. AND, sink their containers to a lower depth in your pond to protect them from Winter temps | Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Trimming your Aquatic Plants back is fairly simple to do, It doesn’t take too long & it will pay dividends in Water Quality & Fish Health!
If you have any questions or need some help, feel free to give me a call at the office – 731-424-2206
Thanks & Happy Pondering 😊
I was onsite at a recent residential project the other day and the sun was at a pleasing angle so I snapped a few pictures for comparison. Later in the evening I looked through some of the images, like I do many days, and I was blown away! It’s really nice to look back at how a garden has matured and developed over time. And you can really tell when someone is involved with their landscape and garden.
I Love ❤️ Watergardens! This is just a snippet of this feature, but I love this view. And the sound is so relaxing 😌
I Love ❤️ My Job!
And –
I love ❤️ #waterfallwednesday!
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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If you read my Blog, you know I just Love ❤️ Aquatic Plants! Aquatic Plants were the first plants… Many are medicinal and/or edible and most are just down right beautiful!
Here’s one that you probably didn’t know about? But has played a part in our snacks and deserts for Thousands of years!
Check out the Marsh Mallow 👇🏻
The Marsh Mallow plant is one of my favorites! The practice of cooking the plant juice/sap to make marshmallow creme dates back to ancient Egypt! WOW! Also a great aquatic plant that can grow in your Water Garden.
You see these blooming around the road side ditches in bottom areas, especially around Reelfoot Lake and the backwater areas around the Mississippi River. You also find them in many Water Gardens that we design and install. So beautiful and Low Maintenance to boot… No wonder they have been around for so long 😊 You might even want to add one to your Water Garden?
Enjoy your day!
PS: It’s Hump Day! Come on Weekend!
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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I try to pass along helpful advice to help with your Ponds… Here is a blog post from a year ago that covers where we are in the season right now. I hope you like it 😊
Summer Pond Maintenance
My pond has been exceptionally beautiful this season! LOTS of lily blooms, the lotus have been showing out & there is so much lush foliage.
My Water Garden plants have been so beautiful this year! But to keep them looking great they need a little TLC | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
One of the #1 things to do right now is keep your lilies & lotus fed (fertilized) to keep them performing into late summer and fall. It’s very simple to do! Come by and grab a container of Aquatic Plant Fertilizer Tabs. One of us will show you how to poke em’ down into the root zone of the plant – Done!
AND #2 is to keep your aquatic plant growth in check! All this Hot weather has them growing like weeds 😊
Koi Love to be hand fed! If yours aren’t eating from your hand yet, try feeding at the same time daily and have patience, it takes a little while to win them over, but once you do, it will be worth the effort 😊 Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
– Enjoy your Koi! Feed them quality Koi food, but don’t over feed! Over feeding can cause water quality issues…
A little touch up now will pay dividends for the rest of the season! Get out there and enjoy 😉
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
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Well, we are past the Summer Solstice and approaching the 4th of July. Meaning, the HEAT is ON! 🌞🥵 All the aquatic plants are full and lush as they can be. But, they are getting heavy & about to need some TLC!
I always wait until after the 4th of July party, then I give my plants a good haircut. It will extend the beauty of most plants through the remainder of the season. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
The 4th of July is a great time to trim back your heavy hanging baskets, overflowing pottery & your crazy Aquatic Plants!
It’s also a great time to fertilize them! It will blow your mind how quickly they fill right back in and start blooming again. WOW!
I always cleanup & trim back my plants mid season to rejuvenate vigor & produce more blooms into the late season. Try it!
While you’re at it, have a jar of Aquatic Plant fertilizer and feed those babies! The ROI is Beautiful! 😊
We stock Aquatic Plant Fertilizer Tablets for your convenience at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio. They are super easy to use and work great! Keep your Aquatics looking great all season long!
So there you have it! After that big 4th party, spend a little time and trim back your bloomers and your aquatic plants, and fertilize/feed them! It will keep you looking great all the way through Fall!
Happy Pondering 🤔
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. –
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The lilies and lotus are looking great! Buds and blooms galore 😊 But, if you want them to continue to perform throughout the season, you need to fertilize them regularly. They are heavy feeders!
Lotus always steal the show! But if you want them to continue to perform into the late summer & fall, you need to Fertilize them regularly! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
One of the #1 things to do right now is keep your lilies & lotus fed (fertilized) to keep them performing into late summer and fall. It’s very simple to do! Come by and grab a container of Aquatic Plant Fertilizer Tabs. One of our team will show you how to apply the tabs and then Boom 💥 Your Aquatic Plants will be show stoppers all season long!
We stock these for your convenience at Carters Nursery. They are super easy to use and work great! Keep your Water Lilies and Lotus looking great all season long!
So there is your Pond Tip for the week. Keep your heavy bloomers fertilized for season long performance!
Here’s to a GREAT Summer season around the Ponds!
PS: We offer weekly & monthly pond maintenance services including aquatic plant care. Call for details and a cost for your pond – 731-424-2206.
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. – https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. – https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Aquatic Plants are so underutilized in my opinion. People with Water Gardens are in the know much more than your average gardener of course… But I want everyone to know how awesome they really are! Use them in Water Gardens, in Bogs, in Rain Gardens, in Containers, around the edges of field Ponds, even in your Flower Beds!
Here are a few images of beautiful Aquatic Plants. We carry most of not all of these at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio. 👇🏻
Bloody Dock – From Water Gardens to Containers to the flower bed accent – These are cool!
Or 👇🏻
Society Garlic
Or 👇🏻
Aquatic Four Leafed Clover – Every day is a lucky 🍀 day!
or👇🏻
Scarlett Mallow – A hardy hibiscus 🌺 Huge Blooms comeS back every year!
Or 👇🏻
Everyone loves Iris
And 👇🏻
Corkscrew Rush for Containers ❤️
Or 👇🏻
Lotus – These always steal the show! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
These are just a few of my favorites! Try a few Aquatic Plants for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!
Have a great day!
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Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio Presents – Our 22nd. Annual Spring Fest & Customer Appreciation Day!
– Saturday, March 21st. 2020.
Bring the family and come help us usher in Spring!
Jackson, Tn. – Come join us! This is Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio’s 22nd. Annual Spring Fest. & Customer Appreciation Day and YOU are invited! We will have lots of fun, food and informative things to take part in!
Bring the kids and let them pet the animals at the ‘Petting Zoo’! 
Learning about your Ponds & Kids having fun 😊 That’s what Spring Fest is all about! Looking forward to seeing everyone this year on the 1st day of Spring! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
For the Adults – We will have several opportunities for you to learn all about Water Gardening and Aquatic Plants. You can get all the information you will need to Design, Build and Maintain a Beautiful Water Feature of your own. We will have a Maintenance Workshop to teach attendees how to clean and maintain a Water Garden.
Get here early to take part in the class. We are going to perform a full Pond Clean-out -We will show you how to properly catch and tank the fish, how to cut back and divide the aquatic plants, break down the filters, etc… During the class we will have an in depth Q & A – After this class you will know all about Proper Pond Care! Classes will start around 9am. and will go all the way through till 2pm.
Learn about Aquatic Plants, Pond Maintenance & more. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
We will discuss Aquatic Plants and how you can introduce more Aquatic Plants into your Waterscape AND your Landscape.
Mark will be cooking lunch at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio’s ‘Outdoor Kitchen’! “I’m firing up the Saffire Grill & The big AOG Grill too. Y’all come on out and enjoy the day with us at our 21st. Annual Spring Fest.
Mark will be cooking lunch at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio’s ‘Outdoor Kitchen’! “I’m firing up the Saffire Grill & The big AOG Grill too. Y’all come on out and have a great time with us on this 22nd. Year Anniversary of Spring Fest.! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
I’m fixing Hot Dogs, Smoked Sausage & Chicken with ALL the fixings! We will also be firing up the Saffire Grill to cook some special things. We will have chips and cookies and more! This is my favorite part of the event because I get to grill & cook – & I am gonna cook up some good food for everyone that comes!”
What: Carters Nursery, Pond & Patios 22nd. Annual Spring Festival & Aquatic Workshop
Where: Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio – 2846 Old Medina Rd. in Jackson, Tn.
When: Saturday, March 21st. from 9am till 2pm.
WHY should I come? It’s going to be a FUN filled day for the whole family! AND it’s FREE! Petting Zoo & Pony Rides for the kids! BIG Specials for the Spring Season and “How To” Classes taught by the best in the Biz.!
For more information give us a call : # 731-424-2206 or http://www.cartercountry.com/ Y’all Come!
Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio Presents – Our 22nd. Annual Spring Fest & Customer Appreciation Day!
– Saturday, March 21st. 2020.
Bring the family and come help us usher in Spring!
Jackson, Tn. – Come join us! This is Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio’s 22nd. Annual Spring Fest. & Customer Appreciation Day and YOU are invited! We will have lots of fun, food and informative things to take part in!
Bring the kids and let them pet the animals at the ‘Petting Zoo’!
Learning about your Ponds & Kids having fun 😊 That’s what Spring Fest is all about! Looking forward to seeing everyone this year on the 1st day of Spring! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
For the Adults – We will have several opportunities for you to learn all about Water Gardening and Aquatic Plants. You can get all the information you will need to Design, Build and Maintain a Beautiful Water Feature of your own. We will have a Maintenance Workshop to teach attendees how to clean and maintain a Water Garden.
Get here early to take part in the class. We are going to perform a full Pond Clean-out -We will show you how to properly catch and tank the fish, how to cut back and divide the aquatic plants, break down the filters, etc… During the class we will have an in depth Q & A – After this class you will know all about Proper Pond Care! Classes will start around 9am. and will go all the way through till 2pm.
Learn about Aquatic Plants, Pond Maintenance & more. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
We will discuss Aquatic Plants and how you can introduce more Aquatic Plants into your Waterscape AND your Landscape.
Mark will be cooking lunch at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio’s ‘Outdoor Kitchen’! “I’m firing up the Saffire Grill & The big AOG Grill too. Y’all come on out and enjoy the day with us at our 21st. Annual Spring Fest.
Mark will be cooking lunch at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio’s ‘Outdoor Kitchen’! “I’m firing up the Saffire Grill & The big AOG Grill too. Y’all come on out and have a great time with us on this 22nd. Year Anniversary of Spring Fest.! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
I’m fixing Hot Dogs, Smoked Sausage & Chicken with ALL the fixings! We will also be firing up the Saffire Grill to cook some special things. We will have chips and cookies and more! This is my favorite part of the event because I get to grill & cook – & I am gonna cook up some good food for everyone that comes!”
What: Carters Nursery, Pond & Patios 22nd. Annual Spring Festival & Aquatic Workshop
Where: Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio – 2846 Old Medina Rd. in Jackson, Tn.
When: Saturday, March 21st. from 9am till 2pm.
WHY should I come? It’s going to be a FUN filled day for the whole family! AND it’s FREE! Petting Zoo & Pony Rides for the kids! BIG Specials for the Spring Season and “How To” Classes taught by the best in the Biz.!
For more information give us a call : # 731-424-2206 or http://www.cartercountry.com/ Y’all Come!
What do I need to do to my Pond in the Fall & Winter?
I get this question a LOT at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio this time of the season. So I publish this checklist every Fall and I hope it helps you.
PLANTS AND DEBRIS:
It’s time to cut back your Aquatic Plants! Remove all the plant debris and organic matter and compost or dispose. Excess organic matter can contribute to increased algae growth. A large amount of leaves collected in the bottom of your pond will decompose and produce tannins. This can be harmful to your fish and reduce water clarity. Leaves and falling debris can also collect in the stream & waterfalls and cause a plant dam. So keep those clear – AND It is very important to keep your skimmer net cleaned out regularly. If you have a lot of tress and don’t net your pond – you may need to check your skimmer DAILY.
Pond netting can be purchased at Carter’s Nursery & can make Fall chores less problematic and will make it easier on you during the winter. This will help make Spring Clean-Outs easier and faster too. – Also a dipper net is a handy tool to have by your pond.
What do I need to do to my Pond in the Fall & Winter? I get this question a LOT at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio this time of the year!
HEALTHY FISH: When water temperatures reach 55 degrees stop feeding your fish or start using Low Temp fish food. (Available at Carter’s Nursery) At these temperatures, their metabolism slows down and eating normal food can make them sick or even cause death. You should always end their feeding cycle with Medicated or Low Temp Fish Food. Medicated and “regular” Fish Food should be finished by the time water temps reach 55 degrees. For an extended feeding time Low Temp can be fed as low as 45 degrees (check bag or ask a sales associate about feeding temps.)
Keep your Koi happy and healthy over the Fall & Winter with Cool Temp Koi Food.
COOL TEMP. WATER TREATMENTS & LOW TEMP BACTERIA treatments should be used until the water temp. reaches 32 degrees. This will keep the bacteria active in your pond and promote healthier water for your fish during a longer period of time. In Spring, as water temps return to 40 degrees you may start the bacteria again. However this will not mean you no-longer need to clean your pond in the Spring because you will still have fish waste and plant debris in your pond that needs to be removed.
Cool Temperature Water Treatments will really help your Water Quality AND they will help keep your fish healthy!
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO ADD TO THIS LIST FOR WINTER:
WINTER BEAUTY: Leaving your waterfall running all season is Perfect here in West Tn.! As matter of fact, it will give you some beautiful photo ops! During the fall & winter, birds love to come to your pond to drink fresh water & bathe and in winter months the running water will make some breath taking natural ice formations – So keep your camera handy. * In freezing weather be sure to watch out for ice dams. These can cause your pond to lose some excessive amounts of water. If this happens add water back in to your pond with a hose or bucket to bring your water levels back up.
Birds come all day long to get a drink and even bathe. Try setting up some feeders in your viewing area and watch them flock to the WATER!
ICE SAFETY: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER break the ice by banging on it. It can cause your fish to go into shock! To allow the escape of poisonous gasses, keep a hole open in the ice. This is IMPORTANT!!! It will keep the gases from building up under the ice and suffocating your fish. Keep the hole open by use of a floating De-Icer or by adding warm water from a water hose, bucket or pan of water. (If you use your water hose be sure to drain it when finished-to keep it from freezing and bursting, or keep it in your garage).
If you turn your pond off in a bad freeze, use a floating heater/de-icer to maintain a hole in the ice to exchange gases/oxygen for your fish’s health and well being. You can purchase a floating pond heater at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio.
I hope this helps a bit 
Have a Great Fall season!
Thanks,
