After I accidentally took over another's thread on ponds - I saw that a lot folks either have ponds or like the ideas of ponds.
We bought our home August 1, 2000, in the DC suburbs, and had no idea about ponds.
But spring 2001 when I went to plant some veggies and hit concrete, and over the year uncovered a 16 x 16 pond that had been filled in and buried, I was hooked.
I read a bit about the ecology of a potential algae pit, and got informed about pumps and hoses and bought a cheap little pond kit to get a pump and some rubber material for the creek bed. --- I put all the dirt I pulled out on the side and made a berm - and figured I'd make a creek to run alongside it for the birds to drink and play in ...
Soon enough, they did soon find their way to the water ...
all kinds of birds and critters came because we were the only water for blocks and blocks -
we are actually in the city limits!!
But soon enough, fall came, and it got cool, then it got colder ...
and I found winter with a pond isn't quite as much fun!
But we found that even if the goldfish freeze solid, it doesn't seem to hurt them and they thaw out when it warms again.
Besides, like I kid our friends "How would you even know if a goldfish had brain damage?"
Anyway, the pond changes a bit ever year. The plastic lining in the creek didn't last and we found thick pond rubber sheeting and lined that with stones to protect it. We've planted all different kinds of things along the edge - japanese maples seem to suit it best, with lots of ferns and hostas,
And every couple years the pump gets upgraded and it just gets better.
Its a shady place, with 2 cherry trees and honeysuckle at one end, and its very pleasant to sit on the bench with a mojito or ice tea and watch all the birds and creatures play.
Here is a picture I got a few weeks back, in the late afternoon. After fighting rush hour I like to go sit out back and just unwind,
listen to the bird song or watch them at play. Anyway, a very young bluejay popped in the creek and had a marvelous time ...
it was a hot day and he just sat there and let the cool water wash all around him ....
Soothing for me and him!
