Monitor the new growth of plants for insects, especially succulents. Infested plants can be hosed down to remove small insect populations. Don’t apply chemical treatments if ladybugs or other predator insects are present. Mite activity often increases in hot, dry weather. Symptoms include stippled foliage which can be removed from the plant. Refrain from applying […]

Clean your biological filter pads with a bucket of pond water, NOT hose water.  Hose water contains traces of chlorine and kills the good bacteria your pond needs.   By using pond water instead, you are keeping the bacteria that need to be there for the health of the pond and getting your filters clean […]

  Although it may be less expensive to build a concrete square patio or deck, it’s no bargain if you find the result so unappealing that you don’t use it. It may be worth it to work with a landscaper directly to create a space that you can really use.   We can help you […]

Frogs gobble insects to keep the population in check and serenade you with their songs. Frogs also add diversity to the species supported by ponds by coexisting productively with fish, plants, insects, and other wildlife. They also play a key role in your pond’s ecosystem—in fact, the number of amphibians in your pond can be […]

Pollen can be bad for ponds because it can contribute to the growth of algae. When pollen falls into a pond, it decomposes and releases nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the water. These nutrients may act as a fertilizer for algae, which can quickly grow out of control and lead to an algae […]

Prune your shrubs and bushes in late spring after they’ve already started blooming.

Fish Feel: When exposed to toxins, their heart rates increase, and they take longer to resume feeding. Fish are intelligent: Their perception and cognition often matches and exceeds that of other vertebrates. Some will even use tools. Fish are sensitive: They like physical connections with other fish and like rubbing up against one another. Fish have […]

Lawns trap more than 12 million tons of dust and dirt annually. (The Lawn Institute) Turfgrass, like that found in our lawns, is much cooler than asphalt or cement. It acts as an “air conditioner” for the surrounding area (lawns can be 22 degrees cooler than urban asphalt “heat islands”). Healthy turfgrass has many miles […]

According to a study on green exercise, spending as little as five minutes in the presence of nature can improve self-esteem and mood. Outdoor destinations with water offer even greater benefits. Green exercise is the combination of physical activity and nature. It is well known that regular exercise training itself confers various health and psychological […]

Floating aquatic plants can be a very effective way of adding filtration and surface coverage to a water garden. Since these are free-floating plants (having no roots anchored in soil), they draw 100 percent of their nutrients directly from the water, feeding on nutrients that would otherwise feed algae. Depriving algae of necessary sunshine is […]