Pond Tips for June
Need some pond tips for June? We’ve got them. Summer has arrived and it is time to start changing some of the maintenance activities.
Having a Koi pond at your home is undoubtedly the quickest way to reduce stress and noise that you have to deal with on a regular basis. This peaceful and quiet place is essentially a man-made paradise. Apart from eliminating stress and tension from your mind, a Koi pond is a perfect way of adding beauty to your backyard or any outdoor space. However, it requires some effort to keep it in its healthiest and most attractive condition.
Here are a few other pond tips? Look no further…
- Do not start feeding your pond fish until the pond water is at least 50°F.
- Add beneficial bacteria. Remember beneficial bacteria removes ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and organic debris such as dead leaves, uneaten fish food, fish waste etc., that cause water clarity problems.
- Maintain salt level between 2.5 – 3.0 ppt.
- Switch to higher protein food 2-4 times daily.
- Back flush filter media weekly.
- Minimum 10% weekly water change.
- Check chemical levels.
Whether you have a water garden, pondless water features, large koi pond, or two acre lake, Creative Visions Landscapes can help get what you want out of that body of water and enjoy your pond. We carry many different pond supplies including; pumps, filters, skimmers, liner/underlayment, UV supplies, water treatments, aquatic plants, koi and other fish and fish food. So, if you have a question about your pond, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Landscape Tips for June
Summer has arrived! With an early arrival to summer, you’re sure to want our landscape tips for June. By the way… What happened to the Rose Festival curse? We aren’t sure what to think, but we are loving this beautiful sunshine!
Now that summer is on us, things will start getting dry. Be sure your lawn is getting enough water. As a general rule, you want to get at least an inch of water per week to keep a good green and healthy lawn.
June is still early enough to prune some plants if needed, so you can clean up some plants or do full pruning if needed. Planting new plants can still be done, you may just have to water a little more to keep them bright and plenty healthy.
Just a reminder: We landscape all through the year, every month we are planting new plants, the only difference is during hot dry weather we have to water more. Need some landscaping help? Give us a call.
Here are a few landscape tips for June
- Spray weeds
- Allow bulb foliage to completely yellow and then cut back to the ground
- Prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees
- Make sure raised beds receive enough water for plants to avoid drought stress
- Monitor azaleas, primroses and other broadleaf ornamentals for adult root weevils.
Landscape Tips for March
It’s already March! But, like you know the weather in March in Portland is very unpredictable. Plants will start blooming, your grass will start growing and Spring will arrive! Here are a few landscape tips for March.
Landscape Tips – Planning
- Plan the vegetable garden carefully for spring and summer vegetables. If you lack in- ground gardening space, plan an outdoor container garden.
- Use a soil thermometer to help you know when to plant vegetables. Some cool season crops (onions, kale, lettuce, and spinach) can be planted when the soil is consistently at or above 40°F.
Maintenance and Clean Up
- Lawn mowing: Set blade at 0.75 to 1 inch for bent grass lawns; 1.5 to 2.5 inches for bluegrasses, fine fescues, and ryegrasses.
- Compost grass clippings and yard waste, except for clippings from lawns where weed-and-feed products or herbicides (weed killers) have been used.
- Spread compost over garden and landscape areas.
- Cut back most plants.
Pond Tips for February
Seriously it’s February? We can’t believe that one month of 2013 is already gone. But, the good news is that Pond Season is not too far off. However, remember we can still get some cold weather in late February and into March. So even if you see your fish moving around a little bit, do not start feeding them yet. Here are the rest of your February pond tips:
- Check water levels regularly. Keep water levels consistent, adding fresh water
when levels recede. - Don’t let your pond completely ice over.
- Add beneficial bacteria. Remember beneficial bacteria helps pond filters control algae and algae blooms in ponds and koi and fish pools by reducing fish waste and pond scum.
- Maintain salt level between 1.25 – 2.00 ppt.
- Do one back flush of filter media.
Landscape Tips for February
It’s February in Oregon…
You never know what kind of weather we’ll get in February. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. So, they say we will see an early spring. But, in Oregon, it could be beautiful and sunny, soggy and wet or glistening in snow! No matter what Mother Nature delivers there are some landscaping items that really should be taken care of.
Landscape Tips for February
- Cut back ornamental grasses
- Do dormant pruning of wood shrubs and trees
- Check perennials planted in late summer or fall. Push them back in the soil if they are raised
- Prune suckers from the base of ornamental trees, roses, and shrubs
- Tune up lawn mowers and have the blades sharpened before the rush
Pond Tips for January
We hope the holiday season was full of family and fun! Are you ready for 2013? We can’t believe it’s here already.
We’re all looking forward to spring. But, we’ve still got some winter to deal with. Don’t forget your pond still needs attention!
Here are your pond tips for January:
- Do not allow pond to completely ice over
- Add beneficial bacteria
- Maintain salt level between 1.25 – 2.00 ppt
- Do one back flush of filter media
Landscape Tips for January
Happy 2013!
It’s January, start of a New Year! We don’t know about you, but we’re more than happy to leave 2012 behind. We’re definitely hopeful that 2013 will be a better year! We’ve got a lot of great plans for 2013. So, keep your eyes out for notifications from us! We look forward to sharing this great year with you!
Landscape Tips for January
- Watch for field mice damage on lower trunks of trees and shrubs. Eliminate hiding places by removing weeds. Use traps and approved baits as necessary.
- Check the soil moisture around boxwood and holly, water if needed.
- Snow can be used as mulch on perennials and areas where bulbs were planted last fall.
- Don’t walk on lawns until frost has melted.
- Make sure our recent deluges have not left bulbs and tree roots bare.
Pond Tips for December
It’s December and the colder temperatures are upon us. Your pond is an outdoor living ecosystem and unless you live in a part of the country where the frigid temperatures of winter don’t pay you an annual visit, you will have to prepare for changes in winter. Don’t forget your pond needs some attention before the snow and ice arrive!
Here are a few pond tips for you for December
- Add beneficial bacteria
- Maintain salt level between 1.25 – 2.0 ppt
- Consider waterfall bypass and UV shut off
- Back flush filter media once
What do I do with my plants?
Cut back the marginals to just below the water level and cut the lilies to 3 inches above the rhizone. Throw the summer tropicals, such as Hyacinth, into your compost pile. Clean up debris as much as you can from the bottom of the pond. Remove as many of the leaves as you can by using a small rake.
What about my fish?
Stop feeding fish at water temperatures of 55 degrees. Start back feeding in the spring when water reaches about 55 degrees. Fish cannot digest food late in the season and feeding late can be detrimental to their health.
Fish will hibernate in the winter. Your fish will do just fine in 2 feet of water as long as you keep a hole in the ice to allow for gas exchange to take place. They will rest on the bottom of the pond barely moving.
Landscape Tips for December
It’s December! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Creative Visions Landscapes!!
Can you believe how the year has flown? The days are shorter, the temperature is lower and none of us want to spend much time outside. But, there are a few things you should do before you hibernate for the winter.
Landscape Tips for December
- Check stored flower bulbs, fresh vegetables, fruits for rot and fungus problems. Discard any showing signs of rot.
- During heavy rains, watch for drainage problems in the yard. Tilling, ditching, and French drains are possible short-term solutions.
- Turn off water faucets to prevent freezing
- Turn the compost pile and protect from heavy rains, if necessary
Landscape Tips for November
HAPPY NOVEMBER!
The days are getting shorter and in a few days, we’ll turn the clocks back. The rain seems like it’s starting to settle in, so let’s take a look at some of the last landscape activites we want to make sure get done before winter comes.
- Rake and compost leaves that are free of diseases and insects. Use mulches to prevent erosion and compaction from rain.
- Protect built-in sprinkler systems: drain the system, insulate the valve mechanisms.
- Drain and store hoses.
- Consider planting shrubs and trees that supply food and shelter to birds; e.g., sumac, elderberry, flowering currant, and mock orange.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses.
- Check firewood for insect infestations. Burn affected wood first and don’t store inside.