"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The January pond.

Each month as I've gone out to take pond pictures I think that there won't be much new to show. Anytime you see something everyday it's difficult to notice the small changes taking place. These monthly pictures have really helped me to see the little changes occurring.
The Heron hasn't returned lately and so the little fish seem to feel safe swimming around again. The fish left are mostly all white that were "born" in the pond. I'm sure their color isn't as attractive to birds flying over.

When I stand back and look here I mostly see sticks, rocks and pond liner. But when I got up close I could see new growth coming up from the Marsh Marigold in the pond. Yesterday I finally re-potted the poor thing and hopefully I'll get lots more flowers from in this year. It always blooms in very early Spring.

Rusty the bird on the pond edge.

Rusty's view of the pond. I've got to do something with that pond liner this Spring.

More bulbs making their way above the ground.

Looking closer at the ground behind the pond I found lots of Larkspur seedlings as well as some Breadseed Poppy seedlings.

A view of the pond from the end of the path. My poor Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' container cracked during our December freeze. For now it looks okay. To the right of it are more plants in a makeshift holding area. Along the fence I need more "winter interest", but I have added Bergenia and once it gets larger should help some.

By mid February there should be more green showing around the pond. But who knows, maybe there will be snow then?
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25 comments:

  1. You have some nice garden art around your pond..my husband's nickname is Rusty, lol. Did the larkspur reseed from last year? I have some up but I planted the seed in Nov.

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  2. Catherine, I clicked on your Backyard Bird Count badge yesterday and got the information, even put a badge on my blog. I'm looking forward to participating this year, I remember the post of you and Sweet Pea doing it last year..

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  3. Catherine, it is amazing to watch the changes this time of year, and I hope your fish stay safe. It seems The Great Blue Heron would visit our pond in the late spring to early summer, every morning, every night to fish for food... and a huge lake was not far away. I guess he considered this his personal fishing hole until we finally gave the fish (Koi) to neighbors. Goldfish are one thing, but seeing one of Koi as missing was rather upsetting. Have a great one! Diana

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  4. The pond will all green up in Feb. I sure hope most of the winter weather is over - but you know we always get those bursts in March and April.

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  5. Your pond is certainly healthy looking and bigger than I remembered. I like the flagstone around the edge, very tidy and nice looking.
    Rosey

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  6. Hi Catherine, I enjoyed looking at your garden and flower pictures! Found you through Fertilizer Friday.
    You have bulbs coming up already? How fabulous is that>

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  7. I love the view from Rusty's perch... What a joy to see all your new life emerging... Sigh! Your pond looks wonderful Catherine... I love herons but I hope they will leave your fish be.

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  8. Funny you did a pond post today. I was outside looking at my little one yesterday and those ugly greenhouse panels have really spared the plants underneath. The water lilies never died and there is growth on everything else. The calla foliage is even pushing against the panels! If I can keep them on for another two months, I'll have a big jump start on the season. You're so lucky you don't have to worry about your pond freezing solid. It looks like spring there (I know I keep saying that, but it's true) so I hope you don't get snow next month!

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  9. I'm looking forward to your pond picture every month. It's really intereting to follow month by monht like that. About more evergreens I have a beautiful shrub in our raised bed that I think would be nice by a pond Pieris japonica 'Rosalinda'. It's evergreen, has an amazing dark red colour of the new leafes in early spring and tiny beautiful flowers.

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  10. I'm glad there are still fish left after the heron's visits... I bet you're glad to see those seedlings, there can never be enough larkspur and poppies. :)

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  11. Glad to see the ice is off of the pond now Catherine. Hope that old crane doesn't come back. Those fish have nothing to hide under in the winter when the plants are dormant. Maybe you need a little rock shelf in the middle of along the side where they can hide.
    I just love your pond and it is pretty in every season.
    I see the little elf is still busy working. LOL!

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  12. Beautiful pictures, it's so nice to see new growth. I'm glad the heron isn't back and the fish are feeling safer again.

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  13. Hi Catherine,

    Your pond is one of my favorite spots in your garden. I can't wait to see your seedlings bloom this summer.

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  14. Someone was right it does look like spring there. With all of the little things popping out of the ground around your pond. Are you going to have a nice day today - Jeff said it might be and it looks like it here so far. Yay I can go outside and scout around to see what's sprouting here.

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  15. It sure is a beautiful pond. We are finally showing signs of life here too. Yeah for spring!

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  16. I am glad to see that your pond is showing signs of life. Each time I go outside, I see something different I didn't see the time before. Amazing how nature works that way. A little green nudge at a time.
    Brenda

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  17. Your close up view of your pond made me think you had a huge pond that filled half your backyard. I thought you would have a lot of maintaining to do. I am glad it is smaller than that after I saw the other photos. You will have us beat on spring by a month and a half. Enjoy the growth as it will encourage you through the rest of the winter. I am waiting for some snow to melt around here.

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  18. Gosh you are so lucky getting the growth so early while my garden is still sleeping especially after all our snow.

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  19. I wanted to ask aquestion. Our goldfinch turn brown in the winter in Iowa and I have a lot of them. Are yours still around and do they change color as you stay a lot warmer than us or are they still yellow?

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  20. Darla - The larkspur reseeded last summer. I may never have to plant them again :)

    L.D. Burgus - I haven't seen any Goldfinches around here this winter. I do think they get more of a brownish color. Darla (she posted the first comment here) has pictures of them on her blog today, Shady Gardener of Does Everything Grow better in my neighbor's yard also has them on her blog. She's probably not that far from you.

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  21. All these seedlings and shoots already?! Lucky you. I'm going to go pout in my snowbank for a while...:-)

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  22. Hi Catherine
    The pond is lovely, and I am sure it will be even better soon. I love the pics of the seedling - new life :)... how fabulous.

    Have a lovely weekend, Evelyn

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  23. So many newborns happening in your pond, Catherine. It´s so nice watching through your pictures those little ones coming to life!!!!
    Muchos cariños,
    Maria Cecilia

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  24. Oh the ice has just gone today from my pond and I too can see a few little bits of green there. Your pond is a great size. I look forward to watching it change through out the next few months. Its great isn't it when little seedlings of our favourite plants decide to grow. I wonder what colour you'll end up with in the larkspur.

    Rosie

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