Carter's Water Garden


Pond Tip Tuesday | Pond Tips | Koi Pond Tips | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

We have had a long, HOT Summer and have enjoyed feeding our ‘Finned Friends’ every day  But now we are going into the cooler months of the year and one of the most asked questions I get is – “When do I STOP feeding my Koi in the Fall?”

A very important tool to have in your pond is a simple pond thermometer. When temps drop below 60 I start feeding “Low Temp. Fish Food” & some fresh fruits and veggies like peas, oranges, grapefruit & carrots. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

It’s very important to take your fish into the colder months as healthy & happy as possible! They are cold blooded and their metabolism will soon slow to a crawl! So feeding the right foods now will really help them for their long journey through Fall & Winter.

When the water temperature hits 60 degrees I discontinue regular Koi Food and start feeding Cool Season Koi Food. I also start giving them some daily treats like fresh or frozen veggies and fruits like (peas, carrots, grapefruit, oranges & melon). These food are a good source of vitamins & minerals and help to ready them for the Winter.

Get your Pond Supplies, Cold Water Bacteria & Cool Temp Koi Food at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

After the water temp drops to 55 degrees I slow my feeding down to 1 time per day with just cool temp Koi food. Then after the water has reached 50 degree’s F. (sustained around 10 days time) STOP all feeding until Spring!

This is tough on me… BUT, I know it’s something that I have to do for their overall health. Feeding them when their metabolism is in Winter mode can/will kill them! So even on a warm day when they are literally begging for food – DON’T DO IT!

And don’t forget – keep the skimmer free of leaves & other debris. I even drape a leaf net over my Pond. It keeps maintenance down to a minimum.

Enjoy this beautiful #Pondtiptuesday!

Happy Pondering!


Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

2846 Old Medina Rd. 

Jackson, Tn. 38305

Ph# 731-424-2206

www.cartercountry.com



It’s Fall 🍁 When do I stop feeding my Koi high protein food and start feeding Cool Season Koi Food? | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Fall is in full swing! The sun is setting earlier every day & the temps are falling… And soon, Jack Frost 🥶 will be paying us a visit… The Koi have eaten well this year & have put on a good bit of fat to get them through the Cool Season ahead. Now is the time that many of my clients and fellow Koi enthusiasts start asking a very important question…

– When do I stop feeding regular food and start feeding Cool Season Koi Food?

– My Answer- Remember the rule of 60!

When the water temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit you should switch to a Lower Protein, Cool Season Koi Food. We like to call it the ‘Rule Of 60’… | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Switching to a Cool Temperature Koi Food is very important for the health of your Koi!

Every Pond should have a floating Pond thermometer. Our finned friends are cold blooded & water temperature is very important when it comes to seasonal feeding times. Pick one up at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

So be sure to – check your water temp (via a floating thermometer) & when your water temp drops to 60 degrees, you should transition to Cool Season Koi Food. That’s the “Rule of 60”

Fall is NOW! Enjoy your Koi 


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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Pond Tip Tuesday | It’s October🍁Time For Our Annual Fall Pond Checklist | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Fall is in full season! Each year I try to post some seasonal Pond Tips. So here we go…

Fall will bring many changes to our Gardens and Ponds, its important to stay ahead of the game!

I always try to post proactive things you can do to keep your Water Garden clean and your Koi healthy over the Fall & Winter.
Things like –

  • Cutting your aquatic plants back
  • Installing pond netting
  • Keeping your skimmer clear
  • Using Cold Water Bacteria
  • Feeding Cool Temp Koi Food, etc. 
We stock a complete line of Water Treatment Products and supplies for your Pond and Water Garden. Including Cold Temp Beneficial Bacteria, Leaf Nets and Cool Season Fish Food | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

We stock bulk Leaf Netting at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio in Jackson, TN | It will keep debris out of your pond & help protect your fish from predators during the cold, bare months.

Pond Netting is a great tool to help keep the maintenance of your Water Garden or Koi Pond down to a minimum over the fall and winter. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee


Switch to Cold Water Bacteria NOW! – 

Our Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria works and keeps on working when the plants and fish aren’t active and really helps the quality of your Pond Water! It is extremely effective at reducing sludge, dead and decaying leaves and plants, built up fish waste & excess nutrients like ammonia, nitrates & phosphates. These things make for poor water quality, reduced water clarity and can have catastrophic effects on your fishes health.

REMEMBER! Keep an 👁 on Your Skimmer! 

Your Pond skimmer is a workhorse this time of year! Its catching and capturing all that debris that would otherwise end up on the bottom of your Pond! BUT, you have to empty it often in the Fall 

Or, you end up with this 

* Every Pond should have a floating Pond thermometer! Our finned friends are cold blooded & water temperature is very important when it comes to seasonal feeding times. Pick one up at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio.

This is standard equipment in every Koi Pond and Water Garden. Grab a Floating Pond Thermometer at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio today.

My final Pond Tip for today,

  • Switch to Cool Season Koi Food NOW… 
When the water temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit you should switch to a Lower Protein, Cool Season Koi Food. We like to call it the ‘Rule Of 60’… | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Well, there you have it, a little reminder to help keep the Maintenance to a minimum and to maximize the enjoyment of our wonderful hobby!

🍁 Viva La’ 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

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Friday Radio Report | LIVE Talk Radio | WNWS 101.5 FM | Everybody Talks | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Good Morning! Here we are 1 week into Autumn and it feels so nice 😊 It’s a another BEAUTIFUL DAY! 🍁 I am walking into the studios of WNWS 101.5 FM, in downtown Jackson, TN! I’m going ‘LIVE’ from 9-11 am with Seabass and Chuck Walker on the best little show in Jackson – “Everybody Talks” 💥!

I’m LIVE today from 9-11am Call in and lets have some FUN! 731-423-8101

I’ll be here from 9-11am – So get your questions ready! We will be talking Outdoor Living, Koi Ponds, ‘Cool Season’ gardening, trimming, mulching, landscaping, pumpkin carving, football 🏈 and LOVING FALL ❤️🍁 Tune in! 📻

PS: Ask about our upcoming Fall Aquatic Workshop ! It’s FREE! And it’s tomorrow!

We will talk about just about anything that YOU want to talk about! Ask a question, send in a picture, share a story (but please, NO politics!) It’s Friday! Call in and join us – 731-423-8101

For 20 years Ive been involved with this Friday Talk Show and it just keeps getting better! The phone # is still the same – 731-423-8101

– HEY, You can listen, and you can call in and talk… the # is the same that it has been for over 20 years – 731-423-8101. But, did you know you can text your comments and questions? 731-277-5155

Did you know you can text us? Texting us is so easy! 731-277-5155 Give us a shout out from the dog house 

Also – Come by and see us at the Nursery! We are open today until 4pm and tomorrow 8-2! Fall is in the air! 

Fall is in at Carters!

Come on in to Carters Nursery and get what you need for your Garden and your Pond! We have Plants, Shrubs & Perennials! And all the cool season Pond treatments you need! Including cool season Koi Food! We’ve got stone by the pound and Sod by the piece! Plus cool hats, jeans, garden decor and gifts in our ’Unique Boutique’!


I’m looking forward to seeing ya’ on the air…

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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Pond Tip Tuesday | Local Tips For Pond People | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Is it Tuesday already 😮 Time is ✈️! I thought I would keep it light today, so this “Pond Tip” is for locals around the West Tn area… Fall is in our sight, Labor Day weekend is upon us and the Full Harvest Moon 🌕 is coming! And with the Harvest Moon we roll out our annual Moonlight Pond Tour!

September 10th is the date & this Pond Tour starts at Dusk…

So my Pond Tip for the week is… Get your tickets for the BEST Date Night of the year! And get em’ quick… It’s the Magic 🪄 Ticket 🌕

If your anywhere in West Tennessee don’t miss this unique Self Guided Tour! It’s always a beautiful evening and it’s for a VERY important organization!

100% of all donations go directly to the Jackson Animal Care Center | Jackson, TN

What: The 18th. Annual Moonlight Pond Tour
When: Saturday, September 10th. from dusk (7:00) till 11pm.
Where: Beautiful North Jackson, Tn. in Madison County.
Why: It’s Fun, Affordable and it’s for a GREAT CAUSE – The Jackson Animal Care Center! A truly Unique & Beautiful Garden Tour!
Tickets: $20 for the Pond Tour (no charge for kids age 12 and under)

This tour helps our furry friends! 100% of ALL tickets sales and donations goes directly to them. Tell a friend! Bring a friend. Bring a date. Bring the whole family! It’s going to be a Beautiful night under the Full Harvest Moon 🌕

The Moonlight Pond Tour is Coming! My Tip – Don’t miss it 😉

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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Pond Tips | Pond Tip Tuesday | Late Summer Pond Tips | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

My pond has been exceptionally beautiful this summer! LOTS of lily blooms and the lotus have been showing out!

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 through late summer and into 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 – Boom 💥 Your Done!

AND #2 is to keep your aquatic plant growth in check! All this Hot weather has them growing like weeds 

  •  selectively trim marginal aquatics to keep in check and to promote strong compact growth.
  • remove yellowed unattractive Lilly pads & spent blooms to Promote new growth and bloom.
  • Keep Waterfalls & streams free and clear of excessive plant growth and debris! A plant dam will cause a leak every time!
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 Aquatic Plant 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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It’s Friday | LIVE Talk Radio Show | Tune In This Morning 9-11 AM! | WNWS 101.5 FM | Everybody Talks | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

I am about to be walking into the studios of WNWS 101.5 FM, in downtown Jackson, TN! I’m going LIVE from 9-11 am with Seabass and Chuck Walker – The 2 hardest working men in show business!💥 Join us today on “Everybody Talks”!

I’m on today 9-11am Call in and lets have some FUN! 731-423-8101

We got some more rain this morning and it’s forecast to rain off and on all weekend! ☔️ What does that mean for your Garden and Landscape? Lets talk about it 😊 I’ll be here from 9-11am – So get your questions ready! We will be talking Outdoor Living, Koi Ponds, getting ready for Fall gardening, seeding fescue, trimming, mulching, landscaping, feeding those hungry Hummingbirds, rain watching AND Just about anything else that YOU want to talk about! Ask a question, send in a picture, share a story (but please, NO politics!) It’s Friday! Call in and join us – 731-423-8101 

For 20 years Ive been involved with this Friday Talk Show and it just keeps getting better! The phone # is still the same – 731-423-8101

– HEY, You can listen, and you can call in and talk… the # is the same that it has been for over 20 years – 731-423-8101. But, did you know you can text your comments and questions? 731-277-5155

Did you know you can text us? Texting us is so easy! 731-277-5155 Give us a shout out from under your umbrella today 😊

Come by and see us at the Nursery! We are open today until 4pm and tomorrow 8-2!

Summer is In full swing at Carters! 

Come on in to Carters Nursery and get what you need for your Garden and your Pond! We are loaded with Plants, Shrubs & Perennials! We’ve got stone by the pound and Sod by the piece! Plus cool hats, jeans, garden decor and gifts in our ’Unique Boutique’…

Fridays on the radio are so much fun! Give us a call and join us  731-423-8101.

TGIF! See ya’ on the air 9-11am!

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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Does My Koi Pond &/or Water Garden Need A Skimmer? | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

I have been operating Carters Nursery Pond & Patio since 1989. I’ve set up countless Garden Shows and hosted hundreds of Pond related workshops (pond builds, design classes, waterfall building, pond maintenance, koi health, etc etc)… I own & operate a 7 acre Garden Center and Aquatic Nursery with running eco-system ponds and a full Koi facility. My goal all these years has been to show Pond Enthusiasts a better way. But, that doesn’t mean I can rest on my laurels… Just Yesterday, I had a great conversation with a walk in customer that lives within 5 miles of my Nursery and has been a pond enthusiast for over 15 years! And guess what… He didn’t know that I was here and he didn’t know what a Pond Skimmer would do for him 😮 Sooooo, needless to say I spent some time with him and gave him the full .10 cent tour of my place! He was blown away and left with a skimmer of his own and a mission to install it himself 💥

We have a skimmer to fit most any Pond at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | 2846 Old Medina Rd. Jackson, TN 38305

So the question remains for many Pond owners –

Q- Does My Koi Pond &/or Water Garden Need A Skimmer?

The answer is YES! Most Definitely…

The simple function of the Skimmer is to help collect surface debris from your Pond. BUT, that’s not all it does for you. A good Skimmer also –

  • Houses, hides and pre-filters your Pond Pump! No more clogged pumps! 💥
  • By collecting debris before it collects on the pond bottom it Greatly Improves Water Quality!
  • A Skimmer also greatly increases dissolved oxygen in your Pond Water! Making a much healthier Pond and much happier Koi!
  • A Skimmer does most of the physical work for you, giving you more time to relax 😊

IF you are a Pond guy or gal and don’t have a Pond Skimmer, I am here to help! Drop by and I will show you the light 💡 or give me a call 1-731-424-2206 and I will come to you!

Thanks! & Happy Pondering!

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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LIVE Talk Radio TODAY 9-11am! | Friday Radio Report! | Everybody Talks | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

I am walking into the studios of WNWS 101.5 FM, in downtown Jackson, TN! Im about to go LIVE from 9-11 am with Seabass and Chuck Walker! Join us today on “Everybody Talks”!

I’m on today 9-11am Call in and lets have some FUN! 731-423-8101

We finally got some rain last night and this morning! What does that mean for your Garden and Landscape? I’ll be here from 9-11am – So get your questions ready! We will be talking Outdoor Living, Koi Ponds, Gardening, trimming, mulching, landscaping, Hummingbird watching, staying cool by the swimming pool AND Just about anything else that YOU want to talk about! Ask a question, send in a picture, share a story (but please, NO politics!) It’s Friday! Call in and join us – 731-423-8101 

For 20 years Ive been involved with this Friday Talk Show and it just keeps getting better! The phone # is still the same – 731-423-8101

– HEY, You can listen, and you can call in and talk… the # is the same that it has been for over 20 years – 731-423-8101. But, did you know you can text your comments and questions? 731-277-5155

Did you know you can text us? Texting us is so easy! 731-277-5155 Give us a shout out from the pond!

Come by and see us at the Nursery! We are open today until 4pm! 

Summer is In full swing at Carters! 

We have Everything for your Pond and Water Garden at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio. From Seasonal Food and Water Treatments to Filters and Supplies, we have you covered!

Here are a few recent images for ya’

Fridays on the radio are always fun! Give us a call 731-423-8101.

TGIF! See ya’ on the air 9-11am!

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/



Live Talk Radio | Everybody Talks | Friday Radio Report | WNWS 101.5 FM | Carters Nursery Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

I am walking into the studios of WNWS 101.5 FM, in downtown Jackson, TN! Im about to go LIVE from 9-11 am with Seabass and Chuck Walker! 💥 Join us today on “Everybody Talks”!

I’m on today 9-11am Call in and lets have some FUN! 731-423-8101

The ’Dog Days’ are upon us! Your plants are water stressed, it’s HOT 🥵 and we are here to help! So get your questions ready! We will be talking Outdoor Living, Koi Ponds, Gardening, trimming, mulching, landscaping, Hummingbird watching, staying cool by the swimming pool AND Just about anything else that YOU want to talk about! Ask a question, send in a picture, share a story (but please, NO politics!) It’s Friday! Call in and join us – 731-423-8101 

For 20 years Ive been involved with this Friday Talk Show and it just keeps getting better! The phone # is still the same – 731-423-8101

– HEY, You can listen, and you can call in and talk… the # is the same that it has been for over 20 years – 731-423-8101. But, did you know you can text your comments and questions? 731-277-5155

Did you know you can text us? Texting us is so easy! 731-277-5155 Give us a shout out from the pool! It’s so refreshing… 

Come by and see us at the Nursery! We are open today until 4pm! 

Summer is In full swing at Carters! 

We have Everything for your Pond and Water Garden at Carters Nursery Pond & Patio. From Seasonal Food and Water Treatments to Filters and Supplies, we have you covered! 

You can get all your Pond Supplies at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio. 

Plus – LOTS of plants, flowers, hanging baskets, stone, top soil and mulch!

Fridays on the radio are always fun! Give us a call 731-423-8101.

TGIF! See ya’ on the air 9-11am!

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/