The Citizen, 2002-05-08, Page 18rey
Garden
en
CONSTRUCTION LTD.
R.R. 2 Bluevale
• LICENSED SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS
• SCREENED & FIELD TOPSOIL
• BARK MULCH • SAND • GRAVEL • FILL
• BACKHOEING • BULLDOZING • EXCAVATING
• LOADING & HAULING
Give us a call 887-9061 Fax 887-9999
with Anna Marie Dalton - Needles,
landscape designer
Friday, May 10, 2-5 pm
Another great workshop planned
for June with guest speaker
Paul VanderMolen, design landscaper.
Date to be announced.
Choose fronj our large selection of
Hanging Baskets Perennials
Flowering Bags Annuals
Nursery Stock Planters
Terra Gardens And More
NEW
Perennial
Greenhouse
Located 500 yds. west
of Londesboro on
County Road 15
519-523-9781
0,1
-CD
to
CC
-6
Carlow
e lYth
Eienmiller
Nktb • •2••$1.
Go derich
"GG,reyhaveQ
grcivi Centre
Seaforth
Loodestiorough
• #4 hnton
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2002.
Garden 2002
Backyard pond an oasis of serenity
Picture perfect
So that the beds surrounding the pond would be the perfect setting from the beginning, the
Elliotts opted for plants that were mature. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
amounts of work."
The Elliotts' opted for a liner as
opposed to a preformed base for the
pond, as it enabled them to alter the
shape to their liking. "We could
incorporate curves."
Another decision was to tier the
pond so they could winter fish. If the
water is deep enough that it won't
freeze in the winter, fish will survive.
The middle of the Elliott pond has a
depth of four feet.
They put in koi and goldfish last
summer, which they purchased from
a pond business at RR5, Goderich,
owned by James Rodgers. While one
did succumb to something over the
winter, the rest came through fine.
Admitting she was "death against"
getting fish because she felt they
would require extra care, Anne is
now happy they did. "I must say it
makes the pond more interesting,
more realistic.
As for extra work, the fish are not
fed so that they may better adapt to
survive in the ecosystem.
As for other maintenance, the
pond is drained in the spring and the
leaves cleaned out. Besides that there
is a little "gardening" necessary to
thin the vegetation from time to time.
This is not a difficult task, however,
as the roots just hang in the water.
Elliotts have a variety of plants in
the pond, some recommended by the
landscaper, others obtained in a swap
with local gardening enthusiast Betty
Battye.
Adding to the charm of the pool is
the waterfall, which is not only
visually and audibly pleasing, but
helps to move the water in the pond.
The Elliotts kept it running last
winter because they thought it might
be better for the fish. "I don't know
if we needed to or not but it was
quite attractive in the winter."
While the Elliotts had a basic plan
for the beds around the pond, they
Continued on page 19
A closer look
The Elliotts' pond has created not just a tranquil backyard
setting, but a point of interest for youngsters including their
son Jeffrey, left and his cousin Ben Turner. (Photo submitted)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Amid lush vegetation, the tuneful
rasp of frogs accompanies the
tranquil tune of a small waterfall. A
splash of colour catches your eye as
a goldfish darts through the water,
while birds cavort, their cheery
chirrups dancing across the air as
they splash and bathe.
The backyard pond of Rick and
Anne Elliott of Blyth is more than a
fetching display; it's an oasis of
serenity, soothing the soul.
It was 1999 when the Elliotts
finally fulfilled a long-time wish. "It
had always been Rick's dream to
have a pond," says Anne. "Because
of the slope of the land around the
shed he could visualize what it
would be like, so we had it in the
back of our minds that we would do
this someday."
A friend who worked in
conservation, put them in touch with
landscaper Brian Folmer from
Walkerton. The Elliotts went to see
his pond and the different plantings
that could be used.
"Our main goal was to achieve
something that looked natural, not
manufactured", says Anne.
They also checked out the
recently-built pool of Anne's brother,
from which she got the idea of using
limestone around the pond, which
would also -be incorporated into the
beds.
The other goal, she says, was low
maintenance. "We like it to look
good, but don't want massive
FREE GARDENING WORKSHOP