Filed under: Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunrises, Videos, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Best Local Nursery and Garden Center, Birds and ponds, Burble, Burbling, Carter Country, Carters Nursery, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Flowing Water, Gentle Sounds, Jackson Tennessee, Koi Pond, Let’s Do This, Mark Carter, Moment of Zen, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Moment of Zen, Morning Poem, Morning Zen, Nursery, outdoor lifestyles, Poem, Poems, Pond Lighting, Ponds, Soothing Sounds, Sound Therapy, Water Garden, Waterfall, Waterfall Video, Waterfalls, Waterfalls in YOUR Life, Yard Ponds, Zen, Zen Feeling, Zen state of mind, Zen Stream, Zen Video, Zen Waterfall
Early morning, before daybreak… The Pond Lights are still on. No other sounds exist but the Flowing Waterfall, and the waking birds… All is Zen…
Are you ready for the week ahead?
Enjoy your morning! And have a great week!
“When once thy day shall burst to flower,
When once the sun shall climb the sky,
And busy hour by busy hour,
The urgent noontide draws anigh;
When the long shadows creep abreast,
To dim the happy task half done,
Thou wilt recall this pause of rest,
This morning hush before the sun.”
~ Susan Coolidge
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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Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Best Local Nursery and Garden Center, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Changing Seasons, Cover Plants, Crazy Weather, Feeding the Soul, Frosty Morning, Gardening, If You Don’t Like The Weather, Life is Good, Love, Love and Meaning, Moment of Zen, Morning Zen, outdoor lifestyles, Outdoor Living, Place of Zen, Predicting Weather, Quality Of Life, Robert Frost, Seasonal changes, Seasonal Interest, Seasonal Water Garden, Spring, Spring Gardening, Tennessee Weather, Weather Signs, Zen, Zen state of mind, Zen Waterfall
If you are like many Gardeners and live by the ”Last Frost Date” given in the Almanac or in your local paper, you may be very disappointed this morning… I’m getting ready to go out and uncover the hundreds of plants that I have under blankets, sheets and in a big cold frame greenhouse.

Why does it ’sneak up’ on us so often?
With me its all about staying in tune with the particular season. Spring here in West TN fluctuates from sweaty 80’s weather to 60 mile an hour winds with frost and snow ❄️ BUT, that relationship you form with the seasons and the changes is where the Zen lies…
But, its tough to wait! As soon as the forsythia and the daffodil 🌼 blooms I’m already setting up my planters and pots 🪴 And, I try to be ready for people coming in to my Nursery early, which means we spend a month or more moving plants in and out of the greenhouse… 😊

Finding balance and Zen within ourselves is found within our own Gardens…
PS: The good news is, I think we are past Frost now for real!
“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”
~ Henry Van Dyke
Have a great Tuesday!
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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Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Waterfalls | Tags: AOG Grill, Burning Leaves, charcoal grills, Cookout, Family Fun, Family time, Family Traditions, Garden Chores, Gardening, Gas Grills, Grilling, Grilling Station, grills, Leaf cleanup, Leaves, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, outdoor lifestyles, Outdoor Living, Outdoor Room, Saffire Grill, Spring Cleaning, Sunday, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunsets
What a gorgeous morning! We started around 30 degrees with full Sun ☀️ and it has steadily warmed… It will be mid 60’s soon and it sure is nice 😊

We are gonna work in our yard a bit today, burn some leaves and maybe some steaks 🥩 on the grill as well! A little glimpse of Spring is pretty sweet on a Sunday! 🙏🏻
“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”
~Henry Van Dyke
Enjoy your day!
Spring is Coming!
Mark C.
Filed under: Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Videos, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Enjoy The Evening, Evening by the Pond, Landscape Lighting, Moment of Zen, Monday Morning, Monday Morning Moment of Zen, Monday’s, Morning Zen, Nightscaping, Nighttime Pond, Nighttime World, outdoor lifestyles, Pond Lighting, Special Night, The Nightlife, Underwater Lighting, Waterfall at Night, Zen, Zen Creek, Zen Feeling, Zen state of mind, Zen Stream, Zen Video, Zen Waterfall
Yesterday was so nice. I was outside most of the day, watched the sunset and then made this short little video of my Pond and Waterfall.
Spring is finally here 😊 And I love it! I hope this little clip somehow conveys the feeling of Zen that I get sitting out by my Pond.
Have a Great week!
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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Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Blog, Color Changing Fountain Lights, Fire Feature, Fire Pit, Fire pits, Landscape Lighting, Lighting, Low Voltage Lights, Moondance, Moonlight Pond, Moonlighting effects, Outdoor Fireplace, Outdoor Kitchen, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, outdoor lifestyles, Outdoor Living, Outdoor Living Area, Outdoor Room, Pathway Lighting, Pond Lighting, Spot lights, Underwater Lighting
The beauty of a Garden 🪴 in the Spring and Summer is a given. But this evening as I was walking up the hill I just happened to look up and Boom 💥 The moon 🌙 the bare birch trees, the lights and the sound of the Waterfalls… Even on a night in January, I had to stop and enjoy the beauty. Now, I’m thinking a fire 🔥 is in order …

Have a great evening!
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: #waterfallwednesday, Aquatic Plants, Backyard Lifestyles, Backyard Waterfalls, Custom Fountains, Designing Waterfalls, Disappearing fountain, Disappearing Waterfall, Fountain, Fountains, Garden Club Meeting, Gentle Sounds, Helen Schult Garden Club, Hobby, I ❤️ Ponds, Koi info, Koi Pond, Koi Ponds, Low Maintenance Fountains, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, outdoor lifestyles, Pond Club Meeting, Pond Design, Pond Fish, Pond info, Pond Lighting, Pond Maintenance, Pond Supplies, Pond Tour, Pondless Waterfall, Soothing Sounds, Sound Therapy, Speaker, View From The Patio, Water Garden info, waterfall design, Waterfall Wednesday, Waterfalls, Yard Ponds
I recently had the pleasure to meet the Ladies of the Helen Schult Garden Club in Caruthersville, Missouri and to speak for their members on my favorite subject- Water Gardening!
Any time I can share my knowledge of this wonderful hobby and Lifestyle, I’m in 😊



The meeting took place at a local members beautiful home, that actually has a Water Garden (that we helped her with)… Her family really enjoys the “Outdoor Lifestyle” that I talk about all the time. Her backyard living area is second to none! Custom paved patio space with an outdoor kitchen, bar and sitting/lounging area beneath a custom Pergola. Complete with a Fire 🔥 feature, a Water Feature and gorgeous pottery and plants… Shang-ra-la…



Have a great “Hump Day”!
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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Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Autumn Color, Autumn Leaves Falling on Water, Backyard Lifestyles, Bonfire, Custom Fire Pit, Fall Cleanup, Fire, Fire and Water, Fire Feature, Fire Pit, Fire Pit Zen, Fire pits, Fireplace, Outdoor Fireplace, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, outdoor lifestyles, Roaring Fire, Stone, Stone Fire Pit, Stone Yard, Wood Fired Oven, Zen Fire
The leaves 🍁 are turning and starting to fall. The air is crisp and cool… Football 🏈 is back in season. Fall is an Awesome time! One of my favorite ways to enjoy the season is to grill out by the pond and to have a nice Fire 🔥

There’s no nicer evening than sitting by the Pond and feeling the warmth of a Fire 🔥 Fire and Water make a heck of a pair 😊
We also love to burn leaves 🍁 in the Fall. An open wood burning fire pit can help with a safe controlled burn area.

A fire pit is a great way to enjoy the evening and watch the sun go down! It’s also a fun way to get rid of fall leaves too!
Check out a few of the unique one of a kind Fire Features we have designed and created. You might enjoy one yourself 💡
https://pin.it/J4zk2px
Today is October 1st.! Get out there and enjoy this wonderful Fall weather! 🍁
Have a great day!
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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Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunrises, Sunsets, Videos, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: #Staycations, Best Local Nursery and Garden Center, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Design Consultation, Disappearing fountain, Disappearing Waterfall, Garden Center, Garden Design, Grilling Station, Landscape Designer, Lifestyle Video, Nursery, Outdoor Kitchen, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, outdoor lifestyles, Outdoor Living Area, Outdoor Room, Patio, Pergola, Pondless Waterfall, Professional Water Feature Designer, Stay Cool, Staycation, Water Garden Video, Water Gardens, YouTube
We have been stuck at home more and more this year… Now they are talking about maybe mandatory home school for everyone this Fall 😳 With all the uncertainty, more and more people are turning their homes into their destination spot! Forget the vacation- Lets create the perfect spot for a “Staycation”!
Do you have a place to relax in the Landscape? A patio, pergola structure, Outdoor kitchen, pond or pool? 🤔
The possibility’s are endless! Let me know if I can help.
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Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles | Tags: Alternative Gardening, Archives, Bill Way, Bill Way Show, Compost, Gardening, Gardening Ideas, Homegrown Tomatoes, Lasagna Gardens, Organic Gardening, outdoor lifestyles, Vegetable gardening, Vegetable Scraps, Vegetables
I do a weekly Gardening Show on the radio with Seabass (The 180) @ 101.5fm radio. It’s a call in talk show where people ask questions about all sorts of things. Last week “Lasagna Gardening” came up and it brought back some old memories from way back when… Here’s a Blog I wrote about Lasagna Gardens back in the day with Bill Way. 2009 Or so I believe. Bill was a HUGE Lasagna Gardener 😊 Enjoy –
“My friend, Bill Way, turned me onto this idea of simple, organic style gardening and I think it is really catching on here in my neck of the woods. It’s not a new idea really, just a cool take on an old one… Best thing is, IT WORKS! Below is a very simple breakdown on ‘How To’ make your own Lasagna Garden… ENJOY!
There’s no hard and fast rules about what to use for your layers, just so long as it’s organic and doesn’t contain any protein (fat, meat, or bone). Just as with an edible lasagna, there is some importance to the methods you use to build your lasagna garden ‘Layers’. You’ll want to alternate layers of “browns” such as fall leaves, shredded newspaper, peat, and pine needles with layers of “greens” such as vegetable scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings. In general, you want your “brown” layers to be about twice as deep as your “green” layers, but there’s no need to get too picky about this. Just layer browns and greens, and a lasagna garden will result. What you want at the end of your layering process is a two-foot tall layered bed. You’ll be amazed at how much this will shrink down in a few short weeks.

Lasagna gardens are a bit less work than a conventional garden. And they are a great way to get rid of grass clippings and leaves 😊
– The basics of making garden lasagnas are simple:
– Don’t remove the sod or do any extra work, like removing weeds or rocks.
– Mark the area for your garden using a water hose or a long rope to get the desired shape.
– Cover the area you’ve marked with wet newspapers, overlapping the edges (5 or more sheets per layer).
– Cover the paper with one to two inches of peat moss or other organic material.
– Layer several inches of organic material on top of the peat moss.
– Continue to alternate layers of peat moss and organic material, until desired thickness is reached.
– Water until the garden is the consistency of a damp sponge.
– Plant, plant, plant and mulch, mulch, mulch.
Ingredients For A Lasagna Garden
Anything you’d put in a compost pile, you can put into a lasagna garden. The materials you put into the garden will break down, providing nutrient-rich, crumbly soil in which to plant. The following materials are all perfect for lasagna gardens:
Grass Clippings
Leaves
Fruit and Vegetable Scraps
Coffee Grounds
Tea leaves and tea bags
Weeds (if they haven’t gone to seed)
Manure
Compost
Seaweed
Shredded newspaper or junk mail
Pine needles
Spent blooms, trimmings from the garden
Peat moss
Straw
Hay
If it’s too late in the season this year for you to start one, there is a whole summer of grass clippings and veg. scraps to get started with and FALL is coming with tons of leaves to use! With all this FREE organic material at your fingertips, that you have to dispose of anyway, put it too good use! You won’t regret it!
Here’s to the Life Abundant!
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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