How Do You Protect Your Koi?

Protecting your koi from predators can sometimes be a challenge. Pond owners have tried various ways to keep their koi safe from herons and raccoons. I decided to try a new item called Islandscapes by Freedom. In three easy steps, I filled, planted and launched my Islandscape. It gives the koi and goldfish in my pond a place to hide from predators. From above it looks like part of the landscape. It provides shade for the koi and goldfish and they love to hang out under it. Islandscapes come in five sizes, so they can add a splash of color and beauty to any size pond. The picture of my Islandscape was taken after it had been planted for 4 weeks, and everything is filling in beautifully. We're going to plant a larger one for the koi pond at Aquatic Connections. We may do it as a seminar. What do you think? How do you protect your koi? Post your comments and let everyone know. It may help someone out.

Aquatic Connections and Sara's Superb Herbs Raise Money for Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks

Aquatic Connections Now Carries Sara’s Superb Herbs as a Part of their Gardening Gives Back Program! It is easy to Grow Your Own Herbs & Cook at Home!

In the summer of 2000 Pride’s Corner Farm had a dream of creating a quality plant, while giving something back to the community. The result was a line of beautiful gallon size plants known as “Sara’s Superb Herbs.” Now, fifty cents from every plant purchased at Aquatic Connections goes directly to Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks in Hebron, CT.

Since 2000, Sara’s Superb Herbs have raised over $200,000 for the programs and services of Easter Seals Connecticut-Rhode Island. Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks is a 160 acre modern, barrier free camp for children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Here they are able to conquer their fears, realize their dreams and strive to reach their highest potential in an environment which encourages independence and self reliance.

For more information about Sara‘s Superb herbs, planting tips and recipes visit www.superbherbs.net. For more information about Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks please visit http://www.eastersealscamphemlocks.org/

Aquatic Connections Gardening Gives Back Program includes: Sara’s Superb Herbs,
Pink Ribbon Plants, which donates to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation & American Beauties (Native Plants), which donates to The National Wildlife Federation

For the 2009 list of herbs and tomato plants available at Aquatic Connections visit the Pond News Page at www.aquaticconnections.com.

If you use fresh herbs when cooking, feel free to tell us your secret recipes. Or if you dry herbs and use them in decorations, let us know which ones work best.

American Beauties at Aquatic Connections

Aquatic Connections now sells American Beauties and donates to the National Wildlife Federation. American Beauties are native plants which can be found along the East Coast States. The plants in the program are chosen specifically by the National Wildlife Federation. Native plants are environmentally friendly and provide food and shelter for wildlife. American Beauties attract birds and butterflies. They are chosen because they are low maintenance plants with few disease problems. American Beauties proudly supports the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat program. Join thousands of other gardeners who have been recognized for creating backyard habitats. Click here to learn more about American Beauties Native Plants.

Aquatic Connections has 5 beautifully landscaped pond displays and is certified as a Backyard Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Tell us if your yard is certified and what interesting water features and wildlife habitats you have created.
Visit www.aquaticconnections.com for inspirational ideas!

An Email from Chipper, the Black-capped Chickadee

I'm passing along an email I received at Aquatic Connections from the National Wildlife Federation. It was sent from a Black-capped Chickadee, named Chipper.



Dear Aquatic Connections:

My friends and I are all a “twitter”!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked caring folks like you to create backyard sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife through National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program. I’ve gotten firsthand reports from “my peeps” across the
country of yards that are not only beautiful but are providing the things that animals need most -- food, water, shelter and places to raise their young.

I can’t thank you enough for making us feel so welcome and safe. So, “two wings up!” to everyone who has already certified their backyards and can now enjoy the many benefits of certification.

And, if you haven’t had a chance to certify yet, it’s not too late!
My friends and I are looking for “summer homes” where we can nest and raise our families out of harm’s way. You see, because of development, climate change and invasive species, nearly one-third of us birds are endangered, threatened or in decline. So, we certainly would appreciate your help!

Plus, when you certify your backyard, your $15 application
fee allows NWF to continue its important conservation and
education work on behalf of birds like me and other wildlife
across the country.

Thank you again for helping me and my friends.

Your friend,
“Chipper”


P.S. When you certify today, you'll be eligible to purchase the “wildly” popular Certified Wildlife Habitat™ yard sign that makes it easy for me and my friends (as well as yours) to identify your yard as wildlife-friendly. Claim yours today!

Aquatic Connections is certified as a Backyard Habitat and our pond displays help support many forms of wildlife. This year we will be carrying Native Plants called American Beauties and for every purchase a donation is made to the National Wildlife Federation. I'll let you know when the plants arrive. Sign up for Aquatic Connections Newsletter to stay informed about ponds and backyard wildlife! Click here to read about Aquatic Connections commitment to education.

Did the Mallard Ducks Eat My Koi & Goldfish?

A customer from Aquatic Connections emailed me the following question when she discovered that the fish in her pond were missing: We had quite a few fish in our pond, however, I was leaving for work one morning and noticed we had ducks on our pool cover. Do you believe the ducks probably noticed the pond and went fishing? If so they ate many of our gold fish and koi.

This was my reply. Every March & April we have a pair of mallard ducks show up in our backyard. If there is water on our pool cover, they like to hang out there. I usually send the dog out to scare them away. The cover is messy enough with all the leaves and debris, I don't need the ducks adding to the muck.

Sometimes they decide to swim in our pond. It's always a male and a female mallard and I often wondered if they would ever nest in yard. Anyway, they just swim around and bask in the sun until I send out our dog. Over the last five years they have visited our pond, I have never seen them eat any of our koi or goldfish.

So I did a little research on the food preferences of mallards and this is what I found out (courtesy of CentralPets.com):

Not overly disturbed by human activity, Mallard Ducks are often seen in canals, lakes, ponds, and urban parks. They seem to be able to adapt well to nearly anywhere with a body of freshwater and an appropriate climate. Mallard Ducks are migratory, spending winters in more southern regions and summering in northerly parts of their range. In warmer areas of the world, some Mallard Ducks may not migrate. In the fall and winter, they pair into mated couples. Although females quack, males do not; rather, they communicate with whistling or grunting noises. Mallard Ducks spend most of their time foraging for food. They eat a number of items including insects, fish eggs, small fish, tadpoles, wild rice, berries, leaves, green plant shoots, and grain. Most of this food is acquired from foraging in muddy areas in or near the water and embankment of the Mallard Duck's home. The Mallard Duck uses its bill to filter food from the mud.

I think most koi and goldfish would be too large for the ducks to eat. Something else may have eaten this customer's fish. My guess would be a heron. If you have had a similar experience with ducks or herons or disappearing fish, please post your comment for us to read. Thanks.

Click Here to register for Seminars at Aquatic Connections.