Today is the 1st. Official Day of Winter ❄️ And not to be outdone, we are about to set some Winter records… Yes, snow and record low temps and windchills are coming! On top of all that, today is #waterfallwednesday, so I feel like I have to combine the two… Have you ever seen what super low temperatures can do to a Waterfall? Check this little video out of my pond on a COLD Day 👇🏻
Wow right?! This is one of the many reasons I Love my Waterfalls ❤️ There is something special in every season! I love a little ice baby 😳 But this might get bad…
I hope y’all are ready for this weather! 0 degree temps with – 25 degree wind chills 🥶 Bundle up! Take up some water! Keep a dry hose to top off your pond if needed! And drip those faucets 💧 🙏🏻
The nights have gotten longer and longer as the days shrank for the last 6 months… Tonight is the longest night of the year! The ”Longest Night” aka: The Winter Solstice happens NOW!
Tomorrow we start tilting back towards the sun! The days will get longer again as we head through Winter toward Spring!
The Winter solstice is the shortest day of year and the official first day of Winter! Christmas 🎅🏻 is in only 4 days! And Spring will be here before we know it 😊 Things are looking up indeed!
“I heard a bird sing In the dark of December A magical thing And sweet to remember.
‘We are nearer to Spring Than we were in September,’ I heard a bird sing In the dark of December.”
~ Oliver Herford
Have a Great Day! AND, a Very Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄
A good old fashioned ICE Storm ⛈ is what we woke to this morning! Not as bad as predicted, thank the Lord! We’ve had to endure weeks with no heat before from bad ones and let me tell you, it’s not fun! But the stone walks all are slick with ice and impassable, So is my driveway! Therefore, we were forced to close today… So, we got that goin for us 😊!
A day off in the Winter can be a fun day! Especially with a pretty snow ⛄️ BUT, Ice just shuts you down…
Snow days are always fun days! Snowballs, snowmen, sledding, 4 wheeling, snow cream, ahhhhh the good old Snow Daze!!! But an Ice Day? What do you do for fun on an Ice Day? In my humble opinion, Ice Days are the crappiest of all days off due to weather…
BUT, there are some beautiful views and pictures to be had…
A little damage, but not too bad.
I just thought of the perfect Ice Day activity…. A Big, Fat, NAP! 😴 💤
Y’all have fun 😊
ICE STORM –
“Icy rain comes with a crinkling sound Like little silver coins falling on grounds Tree limbs covered with translucent ice Channels of pure white gleaming calm.
In icy storm proud oak to earth stumbles Aromatic bushes are much more humble Intact is the grace of their ice laden veins Bowing in reverence for mighty Rummager.
In opaque sunlight plump scarlet berries And metallic ice enhanced the olive curves Of bent bushes like crimson cheeks and skin Luminous adorn a maiden’s clandestine arc.
Power outage, phone and Internet gone Forget about connecting to world for fun Ponder upon slavery of new convenience And think of sustaining with bare essentials.
but who would remember the deadly storm In morning light the heart merrily romps Transient is the wondrous beauty of icicles Pain and glee of nature such as don’t last.”
Good morning! It’s Pond Tip Tuesday again, and I want to try to get ahead of the weather a little bit and talk about the inevitable problem that comes with Winter… Ice 🧊
As a matter of fact, we got down to 28 degrees night before last, and it’s just now November.
Don’t break the ice! It will harm your Koi! Instead, melt a hole 🕳 in the Ice with hot tap water.
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!
My Pond Tip today is be ready for the ice! Have a floating heater on hand. Or a small pump to use in freezing weather to keep a hole open. And don’t forget that dry hose and 5 gallon bucket! They will be your best friend if and when the temperatures plummet!
It’s officially September! That means Summer is winding down, and soon… Fall will be here 🍁 This weeks Pond Tip – Be Ready!
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
Cooler temps = Cool Temp Koi Food, Cool Temp Bacteria & other Cool Temp Water Treatments! Protect the health of your ‘Finned Friends’ AND Keep your Water clean and healthy! Stay ahead of the season and stock up now!
Cool Season Water Treatments are important! Keep using your Cool Season Beneficial Bacteria throughout the Fall and Winter for a cleaner, healthier pond. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
Also, Fall leaves 🍁 will be coming down soon enough… So be ahead of the game! Get a leaf net for your Pond! AND, have a Dip Net handy! It will help tremendously during the Fall and Winter months.
We stock bulk pond 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.
And, don’t get wet! Grab the dip/debris net!
A small Pond Net with an extendable handle is a must have if your a Pond Owner in my opinion! Especially going into Fall! Get yours at Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | 2846 Old Medina Rd. Jackson, Tennessee
So, my Pond Tip is – Stay ahead of the upcoming Fall season and as always, ‘Be Prepared’!
Yes today is the Winter Solstice! Today we experience the shortest day of the year and the longest night. Today is the first official day of Winter… But, fret not, there is good news!
Many other names have been given to this day – Midwinter, Yule, Hibernal Solstice, The Long Night.
The good news is, the days start getting longer now! Boom! 💥 That’s right, the sun makes a comeback baby 🌞
Even better, what follows Winter? Springtime! Yes! Rejoice! Spring is Coming! 💥💥💥
Winter is Coming! I really want everyone with a Water Garden or Koi Pond to be prepared and to stay ahead of potential problems. Cold weather is here and snow is in the forecast, so being prepared is important. I post this every year, but I still get people asking me these questions. So I have learned to keep on posting! Repetition is a huge part of getting a message through… Be prepared 😊
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. It is very important to keep your skimmer net cleaned out regularly during the heavy leaf fall, 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.
We stock bulk pond 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.
HEALTHY FISH:
Its time to STOP feeding your Koi. The water temps are below 50 degrees F here in West Tn now, so it’s time… Spring isn’t really that far away…
WINTER BEAUTY:
Leaving your waterfall running all winter will not hurt anything. As matter of fact, it could give you some beautiful photo op’s. 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.
A snowy landscape is Beautiful! Get out and take some beautiful pictures 😊
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 heater or a small pump in a shallow area to “flash up’ and break the water surface.
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.
LOW TEMP. BACTERIA:
Use Low Temp bacteria treatments when the water reaches 55 degrees F. This will help keep the pond clean, keep the water healthy and make your Spring pond clean out much easier.
Keep using your Bacteria through the winter for a cleaner, healthier pond.
I hope this helps! I enjoy the winter, it is really a great season! So many birds visit the Pond to drink and eat, it’s a wonderful time to do all my garden planning and I know that Spring is right around the corner!
I always enjoy watching the days grow longer toward the Summer solstice & I have learned to enjoy watching them grow shorter as we approach the Winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and happens this year on Saturday, December 21st.
The best news is, the day after the solstice, the days start getting Longer again! Hee Haw!
Pay attention to the time of sunset over the next several days. You can literally feel the days getting shorter…
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year! AND, after that the days start getting LONGER again! 🌞
I love watching the days get shorter, but I really love when they start getting longer after the 21st.!
Man it’s COLD! WOW! I walked out to check on my Water Garden a few minutes ago ❄️ Folks, it’s Cold out there! I was at a full trot by the time I made it back to the door 😳 My dogs were even ready to come back in!
Scout and Ranger were both fully dressed, so I don’t think they got as cold as I did 😇 LOL!
Good News! My Water Garden is doing fine! My Koi have assumed the position “Hovering at the bottom” as usual this time of year… So, alls well with the Pond 😊They are just like me, waiting for Spring!
But, I still get a few calls every year when it gets ‘Really Cold’ outside, especially when you see some icing, and it’s almost always the same few questions, with #1 lately (today) being, “Will my Koi be ok in Cold like this’? First, let me say – What a considerate question! People LOVE their pets 😊 So, let me give you the good news… Yes! Your Koi will survive this cold snap and will be just fine!
Koi are cold blooded (Poikilothermic) fish, In the wintertime, their metabolism slows to a crawl. They can usually be found at the bottom of the pond, hovering, ie: treading water. | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, Tennessee
There are a few things that you can do to help them through a cold snap! # 1 is – IF your Pond tries to freeze – Keep a hole open in the ice! This should be a preventative measure and hopefully not a reactionary one…
If you turn your ponds pump 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.
There are a LOT of articles on this BLOG that will help you with your Water Garden & Koi! But, to cover today’s question/concerns, Your Koi will be OK 👌🏻
It happens every year – The weather moderates and we all feel like it’s almost Spring – Then, out of nowhere an arctic blast comes blowing in… and Its so easy to be caught off guard. I’m sending this little reminder to hopefully, help you be ready 😊
To Do –
Winterize garden hoses, again…
Get your pets taken care of! They depend on us to take care of them & keep them warm 😊
It’s fixing to get COLD! Take care of your pets! If it’s too cold for you – it’s too cold for them…
We’re gonna be cold off and on for the next couple weeks. Don’t forget – If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.
Pond Owners Survival Kit –
– Have a dry hose available “just in case”! And I always have an adapter for my sink faucet. It helps to really be prepared for a BAD cold spell!
– Have a 5 gallon bucket set aside just for your pond. That bucket can really come in handy if you just need a little water or need a trash pail to clean up some leaves damming up the stream or waterfall!
FAQ #1 – What do I do if my Pond freezes?
ICE SAFETY: #1 NEVER, NEVER, NEVER break the ice by banging on it! It can cause your fish to go into shock! To allow the escape of gas & exchange oxagen, keep a hole open in front of the skimmer or on the ponds surface if you don’t have a 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. You can also keep a 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.
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.
Also, there is Good Stuff Too 😊
WINTER BEAUTY: Leaving your waterfall running all season in our part of the country is not a bad thing. 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, and in winter months, the running water will make some breath taking natural ice formations/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. If this happens add water back in to your pond with that dry hose we talked about earlier to bring your water levels back up.
Snowy, icy weather brings the birds to your Pond & to your feeders! They come all day to get a drink and even bathe. I LOVE to photograph birds in our landscape and at our feeders! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN
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 food & the WATER!
I hope this helps! If your prepared, a winter ❄️ storm ian enjoyable, beautiful event.
Carter's Water Garden 