There is so much I want to ramble on about wanting a pond and I know others as deprived as Gail and I would want to hear more about it from all you ponders out there. I think almost everyone on the forum this week has a pond! Thanks Judy, for the important lining info.

My main hesitation about starting a pond is more along the lines of creating another piece of maintenance. Its not so much *not* wanting to spend more time out-there, cause I'd rather be out-there than anywhere else. But if I can't keep everything as 'done' as I like right now ,,, well ... and so on. Wish I had built it when I first wanted to - way back when the garden (and me!) was younger and easier to keep up with. But oh how I would love living with it, enjoying all its going-on-s.
For all you lucky ponders, ... can you give me some idea of what I would be commiting to time-wise if I full*fill* to my wanna?
This is topic is very tempting bad-pun bait
;-)

Everyone, I'm looking for hints on whether it's worth having someone else bring a bobcat in to dig up our lovely, limestone, rock-infested soil for the hole. I'd like goldfish and a large enough pond that it has different levels for boggy plants to thrive and birds to wade in. I saw a great one this weekend that has one end so shallow that the water just barely covers a stand of river rocks. It looked very natural...which is a look I want to achieve and the birds loved it for bathing!

Oh how I would love a woodsy enclave for such a scene Gail! You know the only place here for it would be down the hill and in that secret garden. Maybe one day! But until then, I'll come play in yours. After what Judy said about her hubby sharing his expertise, maybe you'll be digging in real soon!

Some of you may have found my fav pond on the net, at our links page:

Nancy's Gardens of Dutch Forest

I realize It is none of my business but??? Why not start out small and work your way up???
I suggest small water gardens on your decks or yards so you get use to having one around....The cleaning of the filter on the pump (if you have a pump)You can get plastic inserts for whiskey barrels or small plastic ponds to fit almost any gardeners taste big or small???
Also that way you can experiment with all the water plants and see which ones you like best??

My only problem with starting small...I want it BIG! Getting my husband to help me in the garden is like getting me to buy groceries! Nearly impossible! So when it does happen, hopefully this fall or next spring, I want to make sure I get the whole shabang! If I start small, it'll stay small! Of course, I'd be willing to start small, if I could get volunteers for later on down the road when I'm ready to go BIG....anyone?!??! I've got a large fountain with many lavels and a few water plants so that's why I'm tempted to go BIG now. I'm always hearing, "The only thing I don't like about my pond is it is toooo small", thus, another reason I was going for the WHOLE thing...figured if we bring in a bobcat, I'd want to make it the full size since I'd have the expense anyway...

O.K. so now you two have got me started, here we go again.

If you have the space and the inclination, go for big every time where ponds are concerned Gail. After planting up the margins, they always seem to shrink, and it is much easier to achieve a balance in a large one.

I take it you will be planting the margins, and the mid section, and the deep section, see I know gardeners, but leave a little room for some water and a few fish. Don't get carried away with depth though, even if you do have a bobcat, 3 feet (0.9m) is plenty, don't forget if you are having waterlilies they have to make it up to the surface.

Just one other piece of advice, where ever possible always keep pond plants in planting baskets, much easier to control that way. You would not believe how much plants can grow in just one season with unlimited water....I was surprised, so I know you of arid regions will be absolutely astounded.

Just think Maggie plants growing well, with no need to worry about watering, no matter how hot it gets.

Think we can persuade her Gail?

Oh yes, just dangle a plant or idea for a pond, and she'll be off and running. Thanks for the basket tip. I soooo loved your stream and which I had the room for it but alas I'm on a much smaller lot (for now) and so just the size of the pond I wish for will be enough that our lawn-boy won't have to set foot in the backyard....shhhhh, don't tell my hubby....

Our garden club is planning a tour of Aqua-Tec Aquatic Farm in Grandview on May 25th, at 10:00 a.m. If any of you would like to join us for the tour and brief seminar on building water features and water gardening, please let me know.

Thank you Peggy, but I have a club touring the garden that day, so won't be able to partake. But thanks for letting us know.

Peggy, I would love to go but I'll have to figure out an excuse to get out of work....ooooohhhh, I'm sooooo sick....hmmmm....

Maggie, I got the inside track on a $100 preformed pond with waterfall, plant ledges, enough depth for goldfish, the pump, a fountain spray and electrical line and there's more than one...and you have the magic card...wanna go this weekend?

Gee let me guess Gail???? Sams Wholesale Club???
I know they had a whole unit like you talked about on sale.....Kings Creek this weekend (saturday) has two good speakers?? On shade gardening and perennials!! Thought I would let people know???

I should be out there digging before it gets too hot this afternoon. Terry's going to love this ... it's already 80F at 9 am and going to be in the 90's later.
Anywayyyy, the point is ... I will start a thread for folks to post their events on a monthly calendar forum page, when I get back to the keys today. Then we will have a handy ref page for all the good places to go 'round here. Thanks for the inspiration Judy and Dave.

I would love it Maggie, if I was there!!! Not bad here though mid 60's in the afternoon.
Just to show I can do short posts....I'll be back.

No Terry, don't go getting brief with me! Plant talk is plant talk. go for it.
And now that I’ve finished tripping off on the euphorics …
I have never seen the Lavatera sold in my area, but have seen mention of them in print from other states. Perhaps this is another new goodie for us to try here. There was a photo of your ‘Barnsley’ in one of my ref texts. That and other photos seem to resemble our bloomin’ great Althea shrubs (Hibiscus syriacus), but I expect the L’s blooms are smaller. It was interesting to see the flower of ‘L. maritima’ has the same colors and striation of a Malva sylvestris, called ‘zebrina’ in these parts.
Another weird weather week. It was a humid 95 yesterday afternoon and 60 this morning - just warming up for another killer summer and backing off to tease us with some temp spring air.
About you liking it 'hot' and about trading plants – I have a great idea… you paddle o’ the pond in October and get in on both, at our Fall Plant Swap Party. We will then be enjoying a reprieve from the summer furnace, yet still in or near the 90’s most days.
Just think – Texas gardening is year ‘round garden maintenance ‘round here ,,, well, year-round, whenever we get ‘round to it!

Are you aware that the Covington Organic Garden Club is going to Aqua-Tec Water Gardens in Grandview for the next meeting on 5/25? The flyer says there will be a tour of the plant farm and we'll learn how to build ponds and water gardens. If you are interested, let me know or call someone else in the group (there were several from there at your plant swap).

Carolyn, I'm interested. Can you email me and give me directions and time. But don't tell anyone that it's me asking! I'm going to have to have a doctor's appointment or something to get off work. Shhhhhhhhhh....

Someone please post that on the Calendar topic page .. I've been meaning to ask Peggy to, ever since she brought it up. And please encourage anyone else to post any good garden doings too, so we won't miss out on the good stuff like we did last month ... The Fairmont etc... right Dave??
When is FT W Herb Society plant sale??? I always try to make that one. Tomorrow???? oh my gosh!!

Yes, the Fairmont Plant Sale...Gee just when I thought i was over it.......Yes, the Herb Show is Saturday.....What day is the pond thing????

Here are the directions to the "pond thing" that the Covington club is attending this Thursday morning at 10:00.
From the metorplex, on I-35W in Alvarado, exit on Maple Ave.(this will be past SH 67). Stay on service road to stop sign. Right turn onto C.R. 401, cross over R.R. track and a bridge, going south, about 5 miles on C.R. 401. Right turn onto C.R. 305 Immediate right turn onto C.R. 402. 4 Sharp curves, Aqua-Tec aquatic farms on the left, turn left at the white mailbox.

The names of the couple who own it are Wiley and Sandy Horton. They are open everyday except Sunday, but you need to call ahead and make an appointment. Sandy's number is 817-925-9548. Her e-mail address is: aquatec@hpnc.com

They have a big covered pavillion for talks, so the rain won't stop us.

I'm in a stressful hostile work environment and need your help!

I love to garden and would love to be able to make a big career change to do what I’ve always wanted to do… a mail order plant nursery.

My position at the VA, as an insurance analyst pays the bills, but I’m miserable sitting behind my desk all day, while wishing I could be out in the sunshine playing in the dirt.

Last year I started selling my extra plants on eBay and found my niche. This winter when I couldn’t be out digging in the dirt, I just had to be doing something garden related since that’s where my heart really is, so I decided to create an internet garden site where other gardener’s like myself would be able to sell their extra plants without having to pay eBay fees.

Ideas have abounded over the winter and now the site has garden forums, plant swaps, extensive iris resources, an events calendar, and lots of lovely photos in addition to the free-to-sell on-line auctions that I’d planned.

So now I just need to get the word out to the garden community. Please help me do this by forwarding this message on to the garden enthusiasts you know.

Link to Gardener’s Post: http://www.gardenerspost.com

Thank you for helping a garden gal do what she loves to do.

Cathy Gardener

Hi Cathy,
I have also posted your note on our Plant Trades thread to spread the word. Here's wishing you best wishes in a wonderful new pursuit.