The pond
This is the year of clearing the pond.
So was last year, and the year before, and the year before that, though other things took over and required more attention. This year, however, really is the year of the pond, and to prove it, waders have been purchased, to go alongside the long waterproof gloves, appropriately called ‘Pond gloves.’
The sludge at the bottom of the pond, in which all sorts of beasties live and reproduce, will be removed and added to the garden to enrich the soil. Naturally, it will be left to drain beforehand so that they can make their escape before being sentenced to life on dry land. Rocks which have fallen into the water over the years will be retrieved and replaced around the edges of the pond. The water will be replaced, and the waterfalls will be reinstated to flow once more.
We have done all this before, but this time we promise ourselves that we will ‘keep on top of it.’ Mmm! We shall see. One of our daughters suggested filling in the pond, or at least part of it. This was met with horror and cries of, ‘Oh, no!’ (What’s that saying about the child being father to the man?)
The waders were given their inaugural dipping, and much of the tangle of lizard tail roots was pulled up. Many newts were displaced and replaced. So far, no frogs have been discovered, but we live in hopes.
A start has been made. It remains to be seen if our good intentions – and we have many of those in several areas of life – will be fulfilled.
There may, or may not, be periodic updates . . .
Looks like hubby(?) is well protected. That must have been quite a job to put it mildly. The lizard tail has powerful roots!
ReplyDeleteWhat a job! I'd be glad it's him and not me lol
ReplyDeleteWe have a small pond in our backyard also and do our best to keep on top of cleaning and maintenance throughout the year. Otherwise the task can become overwhelming and the pond is no longer a source of pleasure for us. In your case, it certainly looks like your pond cleaner is up to the job!
ReplyDeleteHow come Barry got to do the job and not his darling wife? Have you never heard of women's equality? Besides, I think you would look rather sexy in a pond cleaning outfit!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for having a pond and maintaining it.
ReplyDeleteMy mum had a "pond" which was an old bathtub with plantings all around to disguise it and it had a drain pipe attached to the plug hole and that attached to another in a "T" with the top bar of the "T" drilled with holes so water would spread out to other areas, when the "pond" needed cleaning mum would pull the plug and let it drain.
ReplyDeleteI would probably love the pond — afterward.
ReplyDeleteSeem like a lot of work but I think fun work. The Lizard roots are cool and the flower so pretty. Thanks for sharing. I would love to see more photos.
ReplyDeleteWe have a pond that really needs clearing out too Janice - if your new waders are successful perhaps Barry might like to "pop over" & do mine for me 😉 There are no frogs in ours but lots of goldfish, hence we can no longer use a pump to pump the sludge out.
ReplyDeleteOh I hear you. We have beaver that maintain our ponds, the key being the dam at the base of the lower one. One year the beaver damed up the walking path below their usual dam. We were not amused and pulled out that dam. THEY were not amused. Score at present is sort of Beaver 2, Us 2, third period yet to play.
ReplyDeleteThat outfit says there'll be no fooling around; serious work is going to happen! I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect place to display before and after photos.
ReplyDelete