Carter&#8217;s Garden Blog

Ph# 731-424-2206

www.cartercountry.com

Pond Tip : My Koi Pond Is Frozen! Don’t Break The ICE! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee

January 21, 2020, 7:24 am
Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi, Koi Ponds, Landscaping & Gardening, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 5 gallon Bucket, Cold Winter, Don’t Break The Ice, Dry Hose, Floating Pond De-icer, Ice, Ice Safety, Koi Health, Koi Pond, Maintenance Tips, Never Break The Ice, pond, Pond Help, Pond Maintenance Tips, Pond Tip, Pond Tips, Water Garden, Water Garden Help, Winter Koi care, Winter Pond Help, Winter Pond Tips, Winter Waterfall, Yard Ponds

10 degree windchill this morning 🥶 Brrr! Ice Ice Baby! But, don’t worry, it will be ok… Just don’t break the ice!

Don’t break the ice! It will harm your Koi! The powerful shock waves created by a blow to the ice can break their bones and rupture organs!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER break the ice by banging on it! It can cause your fish great harm – it can even KILL them! To allow the escape/exchange of gasses in a frozen over pond, keep a hole open in the ice. This is IMPORTANT!!! It will keep the gases from building up under the ice and allow for oxygen exchange and keep your fish from suffocating. This will also allow the pump to get water if the surface is frozen. If you have a skimmer, this will be MUCH easier on you! The water movement will help keep the ice from forming. You may need to keep the hole open by adding water from a water hose, bucket or pan of water. (This is why I always say “keep a dry hose” or a 5 gallon bucket for this purpose! If & when you use your water hose be sure to drain it when finished-to keep it from freezing and bursting, or just keep it in your garage). You can also use a floating pond heater or a small pump in a shallow area to “flash up’ and break the water surface. Just do it! 😊

It’s cold for a few days, but it will warm soon. Lets take care of our finned friends ❤️

Spring is Coming ! 💐

Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

Ph.# 731-424-2206

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Water Feature Commercial | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee

Spring is here and we are ready to service your Water Feature & Landscaping needs. Come by the Nursery for plants, supplies & help. OR call for a Design Consultation to create a Custom Water Feature of your own!

Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

Ph.# 731-424-2206

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Friday Radio Report…

We are LIVE today from the Bakers Rack! Come on by until 11am and Big Steve from Carlock Nissan is gonna get your breakfast!

Come by the Bakers Rack this morning! Big Steve from Carlock Nissan is buying everyone’s breakfast!!!

Lots to talk about!

SPRING is in the air! Time to –

plant
trim and prune
fertilize
overseed
mulch
clean your pond
apply dormant oil

The whole world is coming alive😊

Remember – come on by till 11am and get FREE Breakfast!

I’m on with the 180 Crew – Dan Reaves & Sea Bass- every Friday from 9-11am Call in with ALL your gardening and Outdoor Lifestyle questions at 731-423-8101.
OR you can TEXT us at 731-277-5155. Listen LIVE at 101.5 WNWS – FM Talk Radio – on your smart phone using your TuneIn app.!

Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

Ph.# 731-424-2206

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw

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Friday Radio Report…

Lots of FUN with the 180 Crew today!

Lori Nunnery with Visit Jackson TN was in the studio to let us all in on what’s up in Jackson, TN this weekend! For more info go here – http://www.visitjackson TN.com

It’s time to keep an eye on your water temp! When temps drop below 60 I start feeding “Low Temp. Fish Food” & some fresh fruits and veggies like peas, oranges, grapefruit & softened carrots. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

LOTS of call in questions and texts today!

what variety of crepe myrtle should I plant for a specimen quality tree – try a Natchez multi trunk and you won’t be disappointed!
Can I cut back my Aquatic Plants now? Yes! Nows the time!
Its also a great time to use Cool Temp. Water Treatments & Koi Food!
Great time to plant ornamentals like shrubs & trees 🌲
Ebony Embers is the dark leafed Crepe Myrtle that was mentioned today by a caller – 😉
Get out this weekend and check out the beautiful Fall Color!

– Prayers for Dan Reaves and his family over the loss of his Grandma 🙏🏻 https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/?action=obituaries.obit_view&CFID=b94e6614-90a6-49fe-8580-4d9baa9e7f98&CFTOKEN=0&o_id=5432906&fh_id=14418

And as always – Today is a fishy Friday!

For the next few weeks every Friday is a “Fishy Friday”! That means all of the fish you purchase are at a 20% discount! TGIFF! | Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Have a Great Weekend!

Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

Ph.# 731-424-2206

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Fall Pond Questions – Should I Install Pond Netting? | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

October 4, 2018, 6:28 am
Filed under: Fountains, General Blog Entry's, Koi, Koi Ponds, Landscaping & Gardening, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Fall Pond Netting, Leaf Control, Low Maintenance, Pond Maintenance, Pond Netting, Pond Predators, Pond Skimmer, Predator Control, Seasonal Water Garden, Skimmer Basket, Water Garden Help, Water Gardens

“To net or not to net, that is the question”…

Pond Netting is a great tool to help keep the maintenance of your Water Garden or Koi Pond down over the fall and winter months . It can protect your fish from predators too…

WHY should I net my pond in the Fall?

Great question! The main reason to net your Water Feature in the Fall is to help with leaf and debris control. All the Ponds that I personally design and install have a skimmer system (mechanical Filter) that does this task for you. You simply empty that skimmer basket from time to time and have little to no leaf or debris problems. BUT, if you have a lot of trees in your Landscape as well, a Fall Leaf 🍁 Net may be in order. Depending on your leaf debris load, a skimmer might still need the help of a simple leaf net to keep up during peak leaf fall…

We stock bulk pond netting at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio in Jackson, TN

HOW do you use the netting?

You simply pull the net over the Pond’s surface and secure it along the edges. Some ponds will allow for a tight stretched net over the surface but some times we install risers to make a “Tent” effect of the net. This helps shed the leaf debris to the edges to make it easier to dispose of them.

Some ponds will allow for a taught pulled net. Others may need a center support for the netting. Either way, it saves a LOT of time on maintenance!

Keeping the leaves and other fall debris out of your Pond is a good thing! Leaf debris is unsightly, it also quickly starts to decompose releasing many compounds that are bad for your fish. In turn algae is fed by the decomposing leaf matter and oxygen is depleted. ALL of these things combined can be catastrophic for the health of your finned friends, in heavy leaf fall areas, it can even kill them.

ALSO – in the Fall and Winter most of the aquatic plants are asleep, leaving very little cover for your Koi… Pond Predators strike most often in the Fall and Winter… BUT, Blue Herons can’t get your pets through the Pond Netting! So that’s another big plus for having a Pond Net!

A Blue Heron is major Predator of our Koi and pond fish! BUT, we can stop them from harming our ‘finned friends’ in the Fall & Winter by installing a Leaf Net.

So to wrap this up – IF you have a LOT of trees in your landscape that shed leaves in the Fall, a Leaf Net might be for YOU! AND – if you have Koi that you love and want to protect, leaf netting could help you too.

FYI: You can get leaf netting for your pond at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio! We always keep 10′ and 20′ widths in stock, we cut to order and it’s very inexpensive. Questions? Call me at 731-424-2206

Mark Carter

Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio

Ph# 731-424-2206

www.cartercountry.com

Friday Radio Report – Fathers Day Weekend is HERE! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

June 15, 2018, 1:13 pm
Filed under: Fountains, General Blog Entry's, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden | Tags: Bonsai, Carters Nursery, Essential Oils, Fathers Day, Friday blog, Friday Radio Report, Gardening answers, Gardening Info, Moonlight Luau, Moonlight Pond Party, Parade of ponds, Pond Party, Pond Tour, Pond Tour Tickets, The 180, The 180 Crew, Water Garden Help

WOW! What a great show today! We had a special guest today – Mrs. Laura Laman, ‘Herbalist Extraordinaire’! So we got to talk about all sorts of cool organic & homeopathic stuff! Things like –

Essential Oils and their positive effects on our health!
High PH Water and how it help cancer patients and YOU too! They sell it at our local “Grubbs Grocery”. The PH is 9.7 – 10 and it contains all sorts of minerals & things. It was interesting to find out NOT to drink it 30 minutes before OR after a meal. WHY? Because it is such a high PH that it will slow digestion… Before bed was a suggestion of a great time to drink it. Grubbs has it in stock and it’s $1/gal.
There was a question – WHAT type of tree is a bonsai? He was surprised to find out that bonsai isn’t a particular type of tree – its a Japanese art form where you cultivate small trees in trays or containers that look like their full sized counterparts. You can use many types of plants to create a bonsai – oaks, beech, plum, azalea, pine, juniper, fig, etc… The word ‘Bonsai’ in Japanese means “Tree in Tray”. The art of Bonsai was developed from the older Chinese art of ‘Penjing’.
Our 20th Annual Pond Tour was a big topic of discussion. Several people mentioned and commented about the Pond Tour as well the Moonlight Pond Tour. For those that don’t know, the pond tour is NEXT Saturday, June 23rd.! The Tour starts at 9am. and goes until 4pm. Then we open the nursery back up at 8pm. for the Luau – LIVE Music, Kalua Pork & the most beautifully lit Water Gardens and Gardens ever! The Pond Tour is a fund raiser for the Jackson Animal Care Center. Y’all Come!
This is the 20th. year for our Annual Summer Pond Tour! The Pond Tour supports JACAAC – The Pond Tour Date is June 23rd. (Saturday). Tickets are $20 and 100% goes to support the cause! Purchase tickets at Carters Nursery – 2846 Old Medina Rd. Jackson, TN! Please help get the word out! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
Sunday is FATHERS DAY! Don’t miss this one! Dad is counting on ya’! 😉

Thanks for all the wonderful calls today! Have a GREAT weekend!

I’m on with the 180 Crew – Dan Reaves & Sea Bass- every Friday from 10-11am Call in with ALL your gardening and Outdoor Lifestyle questions at 731-423-8101.
OR you can TEXT us at 731-277-5155. Listen LIVE at 101.5 WNWS – FM Talk Radio – on your smart phone using your TuneIn app.!

Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com

How do I clean my Water Garden? | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

April 10, 2018, 6:38 am
Filed under: Fountains, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden | Tags: Pond Cleaning, Pond Cleaning Supplies, Water Garden Class, Water Garden Help, Water Garden Maintenance, Water Treatments

We are right in the middle of “Pond Cleaning Season” here at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio! From daylight to dark we are – splitting Aquatic Plants, Potting Aquatic Plants, Catching & Culling Fish, Replacing Filter Pads, Draining and Rinsing Ponds, Touching up stones and Gravel, etc. etc. One of the biggest questions I’m getting from new Pond Owners is “How do I clean my Water Garden”?

I have blogged on this subject before, but I know refreshers are helpful so here is a short list of Tools & Pond Supplies that you will need while performing your Pond/Water Garden Clean-out.

1st. Have ALL your tools and supplies needed on site and ready –

1. Fish Nets – Before you drain your pond for the spring clean-out, you’ll need to catch and relocate your fish. Purchasing a good quality net means doing this without injuring your fish during the catch and release.

2. Planting Pots – Spring clean-out is a great time to thin and divide plants that have grown out of bounds or crowded a pot. Make sure you have some aquatic plant pots & aquatic plant soil handy so you can re-pot and share your new plants with other water gardeners.

3. Extra Gravel – After the freeze and thaw of winter, you’ll inevitably find rocks and gravel that have shifted, exposing bare liner. With an extra bag or two of gravel, you can cover exposed liner in a jiffy.

4. Aquatic Plant Fertilizer – Take advantage of the water-free accessibility of water lilies, lotus, and other plants that may need to be fertilized, by having a container of aquatic plant fertilizer tabs on hand when you’re doing your pond clean-out.

5. Container for Plant Debris – Grab an old plastic plant pot or bucket so you can easily dispose of any debris that you gather from the pond bottom or from dead plant matter.

6. Rubber Gloves and Boots – Spring clean-outs can be cold, wet, and messy. Arming yourself with boots and gloves will go a long way toward making this chore much less unpleasant.

7. Fish Container – A large tub or tank will be needed so you can have a roomy place to keep your fish during the clean-out. Use water from the pond to fill the tank and use a small fountain pump to re-circulate the water.

8. Net to Cover the Fish Container – Fish, especially large Koi, jump, and they may very well jump right out of the container that you have set up for them. Be sure to cover it with a net that is pulled tight across the container to prevent them from jumping.

9. Pump and Discharge Pipe – To drain the water out of the pond, you will need a pump and some discharge pipe. It’s OK to use your pond pump, but even better if you have an extra pump to lessen the wear and tare on your pond pump. About 2,000 GPH, depending on the size of your pond, will do the trick.

10. High Pressure Nozzle – Use a pressure nozzle on your garden hose to dislodge debris and algae from the rocks.

11. Pond Detox – Always detox the newly filled pond before you put the fish back in.

12. Expanding Foam – Expanding foam may need a bit of a touch up in some areas. Be prepared with a can of it just in case.

13. New Filter Mats – Filter mats should be replaced approximately every 3 years. If you think it might be time, be prepared by purchasing replacements prior to your clean-out.

14. Pruners – Part of a spring clean-out is pruning back dead plant material from the previous season. Make sure you have a good pair of pruners and/or scissors to get the job done.

15. Plastic Rake – You can rake the leaves right out of your pond with a small plastic (child’s) rake. The plastic lessens the chance of damaging the liner and the small size makes it easier to maneuver in tight spots than an adult size rake

Once you have all your tools together it’s time to get started. Start early so you can finish the task in one day if possible.

Fill your holding tank for your fish with water from the Pond. Capture & place the fish in the tank.

Capture fish, frogs and snails and place in your holding tank while you clean the pond. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Then thoroughly clean debris, trim & thin aquatic plants & rinse/wash down the pond.

Place your pump in the lowest part of the pond and wash/rinse to it. You may need to use a brush to scrub off some areas. Keep washing to it’s clean and the water is clear.

Then straiten up rocks & gravel, clean all filters and wash the pond down before refilling.

Capture & place the fish in tanks and then thoroughly clean debris, straiten up rocks & gravel and wash the pond down before refilling. And don’t forget to dose the new water with Pond detox.

After the Water Feature is thoroughly cleaned and re-filled, turn on the pump and add detox to the water. I like to run the pump for a few minutes before we start reintroducing the fish. Then start adding fresh Cold Temperature Bacteria to the Pond to get the system up and running right.

Using natural Water Treatments will really help keep your Pond in tip top shape! Carters Nursery stocks a complete line of Water Treatment for Water Gardens, Ponds & Lakes.

We clean a LOT of Ponds for our clients! But many people enjoy cleaning their own Ponds in the Spring. I hope this tutorial will help you.

We carry all the products for the Do It Yourselfers! Fish Nets, Pumps, Filters, Filter media, Pond Detox, Pond Bacteria, Fish Medications, Fish Food, etc… Call with any questions – we can help 😉 731-424-2206.

With a little work you will be ready for a Great outdoor season.

Happy Pondering!

PS: We are having a Water Garden Clean-out Class on April 21st. at the Nursery. It’s FREE and YOU are invited!

Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph# 731-424-2206
https://www.cartercountry.com

How do I find a leak in my Pond? | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

March 8, 2018, 9:12 am
Filed under: Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, water garden | Tags: Koi Pond Leak, Pond Help, Pond Leak, Pondless Waterfall Leak, Stream Leak, Water Garden Help, Water Garden Leak, Waterfall Leak

If you have a Water Garden or Koi Pond you have to add water once in a while to keep it ‘Topped off’. This is normal, evaporation, splash, etc. happen… BUT, if you all of a sudden have to add water daily or even multiple times a day, you probably have a leak.

Most leaks (90+%) occur in or around the waterfall and stream. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

Finding a leak isn’t always easy… It’s a process of elimination to track it down!

Leak Tests :

First do a visual inspection of the Pond. Is there a noticeable wet spot around the edge? Or around the Stream or Waterfall? Is there any debris build up in the stream or waterfall areas? Take your time looking and many times it’s as simple as a low spot along the edge or a flow obstruction in the Waterfall or Stream. EASY! Leak fixed!

But, what if it isn’t that simple?

Step 2 is – Turn OFF the pump. Make sure the pond is full to the overflow, and wait till the next morning.

The next morning –

Check the level of the pond. Is the pond still full? Or did the pond go down in water level over night? If the Pond is still full then you know your liner is good and your skimmer face plate seal is water tight. GREAT!
Next – Check the bio-fall filter(s). They should still be full. If not your check valve may not be working properly OR your plumbing could be leaking underground. Inspect the check valve to see if its leaking. If not, you will need to rule out the plumbing by plugging the incoming pipe at the skimmer, then refill the filter and see if it holds water over time (12 hours or so). If it doesn’t loose water then you have ruled out the plumbing & check valve.

Now we know the leak has to be in the movement of the water through your stream and waterfalls! This is where most leaks happen!

Plug the pump back in – and start really looking along the edges of the waterfalls and stream.
Pull the stone and gravel away from the edges so you can see the liner. You will normally find a low edge or a shifted stone in the stream or around a waterfall that has diverted water out of the liner. It only takes a drip of water to turn into LOTS of gallons over a days time!
IF you have exhausted every edge check and still can’t find the leak it’s probably the bio-fall lip seal. Move some of the stone so you can get your hand behind the liner and see if it’s wet back there. If so, this will require removing some or all of the Waterfall stones to expose the lip and the mounting screws. Then you remove the old screws and clean up the edges, old silicone, etc. – prep the area well and make a new silicone seal. I always install new stainless steel screws and hardware when doing this task. Then replace your waterfall stones and your done.

This is a simple process of elimination Leak Test that we use to help locate and fix a leak. If you have a leak and need help, give us a call and we will try to help you. I hope this helps!

Happy Pondering!

Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com

How do I care for my Water Garden/Pond in Fall & Winter?

November 19, 2014, 1:40 pm
Filed under: water garden | Tags: Fall and Winter Water Garden Care, Fall pond help, Water Features, Water Garden Help

How do I care for my POND/WATER GARDEN in Fall & Winter

It seems like we are going from October strait to January this year! We have already had severl hard frost and even a dusting snow & ice on two separate occasions! So many are asking me –

WHAT do I do for my Koi?

HOW do I Winterize my Pond?

WHAT do I do if my Water Garden freezes over?

WHEN do I stop feeding my Fish?

Here is some info I give to my clients and customer to help with their Ponds. I hope it helps 😊

PLANTS AND DEBRIS:
Remove plant debris and other organic matter. 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 can also collect in the stream and cause a plant dam (causes leaks!). It is very important to keep your skimmer net cleaned out regularly. DAILY if needed. Pond netting which can be purchased at Carter’s Nursery can make these things less problematic and will make it easier on you during the winter. This will help make Spring Clean-Outs easier and faster too.

Learn what to do in the Fall & Winter to take care of your Water Garden.

Also a Debris net is a ‘MUST HAVE’ tool to have by your pond. A good net will serve you well.

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.

Check into Low Temp Koi Food & Low Temp. Bacteria to extend your feeding season & reduce maintenance.

)LOW-TEMPERATURE BACTERIA: By using LOW TEMP BACTERIA your bacteria treatments CAN still be done until the water 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.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO ADD TO THIS LIST FOR WINTER:

WINTER BEAUTY: Leaving your waterfall running all season will not hurt anything. As matter of fact, it will give you some beautiful views & photo opportunities! During the fall & winter, birds love to come to your pond to drink fresh water, and in winter months, the running water will make some breath taking natural ice sculptures. So keep your camera handy. And get some close ups. But be sure to watch out for ice dams. These can cause your pond to lose some excessive amounts of water. During times of excessive ice build-up you may have to add water too. If this happens, add water back in to your pond with a hose or bucket to bring your water levels back up. Remember to keep a dry hose & bucket in the garage.

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 gas, keep a hole open in front of the skimmer. This is IMPORTANT!!! It will keep the gases from building up under the ice and suffocating your fish. This will also allow the pump to get water if surface is frozen. Keep the hole open by using a floating De-Icer, a bubbling aerator 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).

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER break the ice by banging on it. It can cause your fish to go into shock!

I hope this helps! IF you have a question about your Pond or Fish just give me a call & I will help if I can. My # is 731-424-2206. OR shoot me an e-mail to greenmc@aol.com.

Thanks,

Mark Carter