February Meeting

Thursday, February 21, 2008   6pm

Tudor House at Marshall Habilitation Center

Carry-In Dinner !!!!!!!!

Changing of the Guard

As many of you already know, The Saline County Water Garden Club was organized in 1996 by Larry and LaDonna Arrowood.  Since that time Larry has served as President, teacher, garden helper to all, pond cleaner for all, moral support giver, well the list goes on and on.  And LaDonna has been there by his side, pushing, shoving, contradicting, harassing, and just generally keeping Larry in line!

Their dedication to the club and willingness to help anyone with a pond or garden problem is a large part of what has made this club the success that it is. 

This year Larry decided to step down and pass the trowel on, so to speak, to some other poor schmuck member.  He and LaDonna will remain active in the club and I have no doubt will continue to help anyone with a pond problem (because LaDonna can’t keep her hands or feet out of the mud!).

Larry and LaDonna.  Thank You  for all you’ve done and we look forward to enjoying your new status as honorary exalted consultants  (mere peons) in the club.

2007 Photo Contest Winners

The annual Photo Contest was held on Nov.15, 2007.  There were dozens of beautiful and interesting photos.  The winners were:

Pond Views............................ Judy Clemens

People in the garden............. Martha Kisner

Flowers................................... Judy Clemens

Garden Features....................... Kristi Drake

Fish and Frogs....................... Melinda Gibbs

Most Unusual........................ Martha Kisner

Judy Clemens won Best Overall

for her Pond Views photo.

TIME OF THE SEASON

I know it’s only February but there’s always work to be done in the garden!  This is the time of year to cut back all your Ornamental Grasses.  I like to wrap duck tape around the grass before it’s cut to reduce the mess.  After 2 or 3 times of having to cut me loose from the grass/tape, Carl has started cutting ours with the chainsaw when I’m not home!  Let me know how you cut yours and I’ll put it on the web site.  You may call me at 837-3226 or e-mail me at chufford@iland.net.

    This is also the time to put up Bluebird Houses and clean the ones you have.  There are lots of web sites on the internet that show how to build them or where to buy them and how to attract bluebirds.  Here are just a few:

www.bygpub.com/bluebird/

www.laspilitas.com/bluebird.htm

www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6084/default.aspx

Water Garden In A Day Poem

Click here to read the poem that Carl Hufford wrote and read at the Christmas Dinner.  Hopefully I’ll have room to put it in the next newsletter.

Arline Borchers is

New Club President

Arline Borchers was voted in as new club president at the Club’s Christmas Dinner/Meeting.  As two of the founding members of the club, Arline and Fred have been very active in every facet of the club.  They have been on the public pond tour three times.  They have worked on each tour and attended most of the club activities. 

Arline has served as Hospitality Chair and served on that committee for several years.  She has worked on the Jim Garden cleaning and signs up to maintain the garden for 4 weeks each summer.  She has donated door prizes, plants for the gardens, and fish food for the Jim Garden. 

Arline has been Vice-President of the club since 2004, has serve as chair of the Jim Garden Committee.  I could go on and on but I’ve run out of space!

WELCOME, Arline!!

Dear Polly,

I have an above ground water garden made with a wooden frame and a rubber liner.  It is about 18 inches deep and 4 feet by 8 feet from side to side. 

This winter has been very cold in my area and for the first time since I have had my water garden, it froze completely from top to bottom.  I lost all my fish.  Is there a way to keep my above ground pond from freezing so much?

                                          Iceberg

Dear Iceberg,

    This is a common problem with above ground ponds in very cold weather.  The thing that helps in-ground ponds from freezing so much is the insulating value of the ground.  The ice freezes on the top but not much on the sides of the pond.  The above ground pond receives not only the cold air but the colder wind-chill caused by the wind.

    I don't think even a stock tank heater will thaw enough water to keep your fish alive.  The best solution for you is to remove your fish in the winter and put them in an indoor holding tank. Be sure to provide some way to add air to the water either with a fish tank air bubbler or a pump shooting water up into the air and falling back into the tank.  Also make sure you are careful to equalize the water temperatures before you return your fish to the pond in the spring.  Tossing warm fish into very cold water is a sure way to kill them.

    Above ground water gardens can be a beautiful addition to your landscaping, but take steps to protect your fish in the winter.

                                               Polly

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