Aquatic Connections Plans Nature Explore Classroom

Aquatic Connections is in the planning phase of a Nature Explore Classroom to be located at their water garden center in Trevose, Pa. The owners and staff of Aquatic Connections will be working with the Arbor Day Foundation, the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, schools, teachers, students and parents throughout the planning process in order to incorporate fun, educational activities for children ages 4 to 8 years old. For more information, please send an email to: online@aquaticconnections.com.

What is a Nature Explore Classroom?
Nature Explore Classrooms are dynamic, nature-based play and learning spaces. These nature-rich outdoor spaces are being constructed at schools; nature centers; national forests, parks, and wildlife refuges; zoos; arboretums; and child care centers. Nature Explore Classrooms enhance the
physical environment and add natural beauty to the surrounding area.

The Nature Explore Classroom Certification Program is a national initiative that recognizes schools and other organizations that have made a commitment to providing outdoor classrooms and comprehensive programming to help children use the natural world as an integral part of learning. Grounded in over a decade of research and field-testing, this widespread initiative is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Foundation in collaboration with environmental, educational, design and health organizations.

Aquatic Connections & P. Allen Smith Discuss Pond Plants

Aquatic Connections carries one of the largest selections of aquatic plants in the area. In season, there are hundreds of pond plants to choose from when planting your pond. In the Philadelphia region, hardy pond plants will survive the cold winter months, but the tropical pond plants that P. Allen Smith refers to in this video need to be removed from the pond. As soon as pond plants begin to turn yellow or decay due to cold weather, it is better to remove them before the leaves end up on the bottom of the pond. Decaying matter left in a pond over the winter months can cause problems for your fish.

Take a look at P. Allen Smith's floating water plant video, but remember that for some pond owners, floating plants such as water hyacinth and water lettuce are seasonal plants. If you have decaying leaves at the bottom of your pond, try scooping them out with a pond net, add a cold water bacteria such as Microbe-Lift Autumn Prep. and then cover the pond with pond netting.

When you get into water gardening you can discover a whole new dimension of enjoyment. Plants can add so much to even the smallest water feature. A pool or a fountain without plants, well it's like your patio or terrace without flowers. However, selecting the right plants for your pool or water feature is also important. At least five hours of direct sunlight is critical for most aquatic plants for optimum growth. You'll find that many nurseries now carry these plants to keep up with their growing popularity. There are so many interesting varieties to choose from. Now everything in this pool is actually growing in a container like this, they are anchored to the bottom. But there is a whole category of water plants that actually float on the surface. Probably the most familiar of the floating plants is the water hyacinth. It is supported by these balloons-like structures just behind the leaves and it produces a lavender flower. You will never have to worry about having an aching back from planting water hyacinths. All you do is dropped them in. Now one of my favorites is this water lettuce even though it's not the sort of thing I normally put in a salad. They are beautiful floating on top of the water. For a lush, velvety effect you might try the Parrot's Feather or something even more delicate is this azolla or sometimes called Fairy's Moss. All of these, because they cover the surface of the water, create a shady and comfortable environment for fish. And the fish in turn fertilize the plants with their waste making these floating water plants some of the easiest plants you can grow. From the garden, I'm Allen Smith. P. Allen Smith Gardens? Copyright 1998 - Hortus, Ltd.