Secret to Crystal Clear Koi Pond Water

 I can't even start to tell you how hard it has been to keep my koi pond crystal clear. I used lots of chemicals and monthly water changes. I honestly didn't know if it was possible for me to achieve crystal clear water without redoing the pond and adding an underground filter. 

Last summer my grandson and I were at the pond and he said a nice waterfall would be cool. I had my pump sending water to a medium size filter box and running down a short stream. It looked really nice but didn't do much for the water clarity.

I checked on Walmart and found this large waterfall box on Walmart. The price was reasonable, so I added it to my cart. This is a big box so plan on adding lots of rock around it to get a nice waterfall look. Then, and I think this was the real key, I bought some bio balls and added them to the order. 

I already had an extra pump which pumped about 2000 gph, so I used it. I also had a 1" flexible hose.

The product came on a day I was busy, so we quickly hooked everything up and just set it where the stream was, replacing the smaller box. I started the water running and went back to what I was doing.

The next day I walked out to the pond and looked in and I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped, and my eyes popped out. I could see the bottom of the pond! The fish looked tremendous. I called my grandson and told him to come over so we could build the waterfall.

His reaction when he saw the water was like mine. We tore into building the waterfall and put the smaller box back for the stream. I had plenty of bio balls, so I added them to that box as well.

It seemed every day the pond looked clearer. At first I cleaned the filters about every two days but, once things really cleared up, I went to once a week and by the end of the summer, it was about once every three weeks.

We were both happy campers! For the winter I pulled the boxes and just left the pumps run so the water wouldn't completely freeze in our Ohio winter. 

Just opened the ponds yesterday and returned the boxes. You can see from the picture that I have work to do around the pump, since the weather is finally breaking. But you get the gist. I'll clean the filters more often to start and once the water gets back to crystal clear again in a week or two, spend far less time than I ever have working on the water.

If you have a decent size pond, I urge you to get the waterfall box and particularly the bio balls. You can thank me later.

How to Attract Hummingbirds

I'm in the process of getting the hummingbird and oriole feeders set up. The little guys will be here in no time. I have my hummingbird feeder hanging on my deck so I can see it from the sliding glass door in my dining room when I'm working on the computer. 

Every year I seem to be attracting more and more. The fact that I have two ponds in the backyard with running water is one of the keys.

Once you see them feeding, stay alert. They feed five to eight times per hour, so keep that hummingbird feeder full. They consume one half their weight in sugar daily. 

I have hummingbird vines growing in my side yard and onto the deck. They like to feed there as well as other plants I have growing, but they definitely like the feeder.

I'll mix two cups of water and one-half cup sugar in a pan and bring it close to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then remove it and let it cool before filling the feeder. The ratio of the mix is one part sugar to four parts water. Do not use food coloring!

Something I didn't know is that hummingbirds can be aggressive towards other birds. One kept dive bombing a blue jay who made the mistake of landing on the feeder. It was entertaining.

Get some flowers out in your yard and, if possible, running water. Fill the feeders and wait for the little guys.

One thing I did find out is to try to keep your feeders out of the direct sunlight if possible. The sugar will not ferment too quick and will last longer.

When you buy your feeder, try to get one that you can easily clean. You'll need to clean it to keep it fresh. Here's a picture of one of mine. It's easy to clean, easy to fill, and doesn't cost much.

If spring is near when you read this, get them feeders out. And once the birds arrive, make sure you keep their feeders full or they'll mosey on over to the neighbor's yard.

Hummingbird picture is by marvinbla at Pixabay.

How to Attract Orioles

 We have a Oriole who stops by our house every year in early spring. Personally, I love it when it stops by my feeder.

They are attracted by the color orange. Feed them grape jelly or oranges. They also like a hummingbird mixture. There are hummingbird type feeders for Orioles that are orange and larger to allow the Oriole to feed in comfort.

If you have a pond or a bubbler in a nearby feeder, your chance of attracting them go up. I have two ponds I built in the backyard with a big waterfall and pumps, so it's perfect for them.

Don't hid your feeder. It needs to be out in the open so they can easily see it.

I can't stress enough the importance of putting your feeder out early. Once they pass by your area, if they don't find a place to stay, you'll miss your chance. I had one stop by the first year and it tried sipping from my hummingbird feeder. It's a big bird it was tough going. I ran out and got a Oriole feeder but it was too late. It was two years before I saw one again. 

Fortunately, I had my feeder out and it hung around and has been back three years running. 

This Oriole feeder certainly fits the bill and looks great hanging outside on your deck or a nearby tree.

It's made by the Amish. Just take it from the box, add some jelly and/or an orange slice, and it's ready to bring in the Orioles. I recommend doing it at the beginning of the spring.

Starting Tomatoes Indoors From Seeds

 I decided to try my hand at growing my tomatoes from seeds. I used a two cup method. Check the video to see more.

Basically I used two plastic cups. I put gravel in one of them. That's the bottom cups and absorbs the water from the main cup. In the top cup, I drilled four drainage holes so that water doesn't sit at the bottom of the cup after I water them. This would cause root rot.

I added seed starter about half way up the cup and then planted two seeds per cup. As the tomato plant grows, the stem gets taller. When that happens, I'll add more soil. The reason I do this is because the stem will actually shoot more roots out when it's in the dirt. This will make the plant stronger, and you'll get a better yield. 

Grow Lights Review

 

It took me forever (seems like it, anyway) to find grow lights that work for me. These fit the bill.

I bought these on Walmart and I'm happy I did. Started with one and added another as the number of plants increased. 

Currently I've got it on the setting for white and red spectrum at the brightest setting. I set it on a 9 hour timer so they come on at 8AM and go off at 6PM. 

There are 3 light settings. The following description comes directly from them company.

Full Spectrum

Stimulates plant growth and contributes to the synthesis of chlorophyll.

Red Spectrum

Efficiently boosts photosynthesis, stimulates flowering and fruiting.

Mixed Spectrum

Supports for better results the plant growth, flowering, and fruiting.

I went with the mixed spectrum because it seemed it covered everything. Again, I have the brightness set to 100%. A couple evenings when we were sitting in the family room enjoying the pond and the fireplace, I switched the color to red for the ambience. Really cool!

Here's some pictures of this light in action. 

These are the succulents sitting over my indoor pond. You can see the lights in action. To the left is a striped plant that has 2 of the lights shining on it. It goes outside again the late spring, but these lights are keeping it looking good during the winter.

As an unexpected bonus, I have one light shining directly on a plant in the pond and it is growing. First time I've gotten a water plant to grow inside.

Grow Bags for Early Tomatoes

 I've heard so many good things about grow bags that I decided to try them for myself this year.

I wanted them for tomatoes so bought the 5-gallon ones from Walmart. The price was really nice. I had seen some that were pretty expensive and, since this is my first attempt using them, I didn't want to break the bank.

My neighbor used them last year and swears by them. These are heavy thickened bags offer good airflow and they drain easily so you don't get root rot. You get a better root system.

The idea is this. These bags allow you to plan your tomatoes earlier. There are handles on it. You can put the plants out during the day when the sun is out and take full advantage of the weather. In the evenings when the temperature drops or when there's a frost warning, you pick them up with the handles and bring them inside.

In addition, you can move them in your landscape to take full advantage of the sun during the spring and summer. One side of my yard gets full sun in the mornings in the spring but later in the year is fairly shady for most of the day. I'll put my bags there early and later in the year I can move them to a sunnier area.

I don't know about you, but I want my tomatoes early, especially with the prices the way they are now. It's late February here in Ohio and I've started my tomatoes seeds inside. I fully expect to plant them in the grow bags by the end of April and start rotating them outdoors. 

I'm thinking about doing iceberg lettuce in one of the bags. I kept three and gave two to my grandson. I'll update you along the way this year but really, the price is so low you might want to get some and try them for yourself. I'm anxious to get started. 

Spreading White Dutch Clover

 

It's been a mild winter so far here in Ohio. My grandson and I were trying to decide if we should start doing any outside work.

I thought "Why Not?" and ventured outside yesterday to spread some dutch white clover in the front yard. I did it because it was supposed to rain today. By the way, I spread it by hand. I don't have a seed spreader.

It did.

The other reasoning is the ground will be going through periods of freezing and thawing. I read that what happens is the seed falls into thew cracks during this period and basically self plants the seeds.

Will it work? I don't know. It's my first test. 😀

I'm anxious to see if it works. 

Succulent Plants from Walmart

 

So I picked up a 5 pack of succulent plants from Amazon. They arrived about six days after I ordered them. I live in Ohio and it was 15 degrees when they got here.

I didn't have to worry. They arrived in perfect condition. I've placed them in a 10 gallon aquarium and have grow lights on them. I'll update them as they grow.

There were no instructions inside, but I read when you receive a shipment of succulents, you keep them out of direct sun for 2 - 3 days. It also said not to water for that amount of time unless they look dried out.

I have a box of succulents coming from The Succulent Box as well. I wanted to compare the two shipments. When they arrive, I'll review them as well.

I Finished My Indoor Pond!

 flexoffers

I've completed my indoor pond. I have some mosquito fish we scooped up at a nearby lake, along with some rosy red minnows and koi in the pond. 

If you've been with me, you know I have two ponds in the backyard. The smaller one has a bass, a couple catfish and a bluegill, all caught by my grandson.

The larger pond contains 10 koi and a goldfish that survived the bass, that used to be in this pond, as well as a Shubunkin. These are colorful fish that are similar to a goldfish or comet. Very colorful.

I keep those fish out during our cold Ohio winter, but I brought in three koi, which I thought were too small to leave outside this year. Look and the video and you'll see they've grown.

I've posted how to make a indoor pond like this, if you're interested. It's so nice to sit down by the fireplace and listen to the waterfall on a cold winter night.

How to Build a Birdhouse

 

Once you learn how to build a birdhouse, you'll easily make modifications to design your own unique birdhouse.

FLICKERS: A rough interior is favored by these birds. A quantity of sawdust, ground cork or small chips should cover the bottom so the birds can shape a cavity for eggs. Boxes should be placed above immediately surrounding foliage. A dead stub makes an excellent support for their boxes.

PURPLE MARTINS: The gregarious nesting habits of martins will allow the builder to employ skill and imagination in construction. Important factors to consider are coolness and accessibility. A multi-storied apartment house will attract a colony of martins. The availability of water will be a factor in inducing the birds to nest. The houses should be situated in an open space and painted white to reflect heat.

---

ROBINS, CATBIRDS, AND THRASHERS: These birds will use the nesting platform when natural nesting sites are unavailable. The platforms should be placed in partial shade along main branches of trees or under the eaves of a shed or porch roof.
SWALLOWS : Water near the box will help entice these birds to artificial nests. Open or partially covered nest shelves are best for barn swallows, especially if placed under the sheltering eaves of buildings. Cliff swallows should be provided a narrow shelf under an overhanging roof where they can construct their mud nests.

Check out specs for bird houses.