Backyard Concepts Pond News
Spring 2009
March, 2009
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Hardy Lily OVERSTOCK
SALE
2009 Aquatics
Arriving Soon
and we need
the space!
While Supplies Last
Buy One Lily
and Get ONE
FREE |
When they are gone, its over.
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Greetings!
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Thank you for subscribing to the Pond Newsletter. We hope you find the information included helpful. If there is a subject you would like us to cover in more depth just drop us an email and let us know.
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Pumps: "Pay More and Spend Less"
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We are all aware that energy costs are escalating with each passing year, right? Let's talk about pumps in general. Everyone that has a water feature, or will be getting one in the future, will have to purchase a particular pump in order for their eco-system to function correctly. Specific factors need to be considered before a pump is selected.
Size and the amount of gallons pumped per hour is the number one thing a person needs to consider first. You must be able to circulate at least the entire amount of the pond within an hour period. I like to circulate at least one and a half times within that hour time. Secondly, the size of the pond within the shape makes a difference as well. Make sure that there are no "dead areas" within the pond. You may have to divert some water through small piping in order to move these areas. Thirdly, Backyard Concepts has pumps that consume far less energy than older pumps. While these pumps usually cost more, you will save money in the long run.
For example: Let's say you have a 1200 gph (gallons per hour) pump running continuously for a month (or a total of 720 hours) and pay $0.95 per kilowatt hour (this information can be found on your electric bill), consider the following:
A $99 pump drawing 550 watts will cost $37.62 to run per month (550 x 720 x .095 divided by 1000).
Meanwhile, a more efficient $155 pump drawing 110 watts will cost $7.52 to run that same month
(110 x 720 x .095 divided by 1000).
That's a savings of approximately $360 a year!
So the more expensive pump really costs less to own. Choosing the right pump can be confusing given the many applications. You need to consider how it is being used, how big the pond is, the warranty, design, convenience of maintenance and head pressure of the pump.
Give us a call - we'll be happy to help you make the smart choice.
Mike Marcom, Owner
Backyard Concepts
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Koi Care Tips...
Tessie Graves
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 With spring almost here, it is easy to succumb to the begging mouths of your fish... but not just yet! We will start feeding our fish within the next couple of weeks. You need a consistent 65º temperature for two weeks to be certain that they can digest the food.
Spring is an exciting time for fish. Spawning will begin in waters that are 65º to 70º, typically from April to late August. They may spawn multiple times, just once, or sometimes not at all. Fish need to be mature to be able to spawn - four to five years is the optimal age range. A young koi may be fertile, yet the hatch that it produces of young fish is not strong. With older females, as she ages, her eggs develop a tougher covering which sperm have difficulty in penetrating. Fertile males will get small white spots along their gill plate, which resemble pimples, and this is a sign that spawning is about to begin!
Spring is the season that most fish get sick. Keep a close eye on them during this transition period. A good time to observe them is during feeding, especially if you are hand feeding. Look for lesions, bulging scales, or any other out-of-the-ordinary behavior. Pond salt is a good thing to have on hand in case your fish get sick. Salt is an "almost" cure-all for fish.
Well, take good care of your babies and don't forget when you do start to feed them, mix it up some! Would you like to eat the same meal every day? Koi and goldfish enjoy all sorts of treats: lettuce, oranges, watermelon, and celery. It is best to just throw the whole head of lettuce. It's also very fun to watch them. They will curiously swim up, nibble a bit, and before too long, it will all be gone! |
Nursery News
Vivian Skelton
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 All of us at Backyard Concepts have been busy preparing for spring. In the last few months, we have completely revamped our aquatic plant center. All of our aquatic plants have been given new homes in brand-new tanks! Mason "cedared" the front of the greenhouse (which is dedicated as Mike's House) and has also given us a brand-new, arbored entrance with stone columns - looks awesome, guys! We centered our garden with a beautiful basalt fountain, and the dry creek beds were landscaped using pine trees and colorful tulips and daffodils. We hope you come and enjoy our new aquatic center! We will have our new aquatic plants arriving within the next few weeks, and if you haven't already divided your plants and lilies, it is time to do so. The marginals, if they have outgrown their pots, need to be divided and fertilized with aquatic plant tablets, which we carry in our retail store. Also, if your lilies are over two years old or are outgrowing their pots now is the time to divide them. 10 Steps to Dividing Water Lilies. I am also excited to announce an Aquatic Container Gardening Class. You will learn how to use aquatic plants in a container garden. This will be a hands-on class, and you will be going home with a planting your neighbors will envy. The admission is $35, which will include three marginal plants and rocks, plus a continental breakfast will be served with Mimosas. We will have containers to purchase here or you can bring your own. Our class will be limited, so call 940-440-9715 for reservations or email Tessie. |
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It is going to be a beautiful spring and a wonderful time to sit by your water feature and relax.
Enjoy.
Sincerely
The Staff of Backyard Concepts
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