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Oregon's Premier Water Gardening Nursery
 
November Newsletter                   2009
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON NEW HOURS
 
Hughes changes to winter hours starting November 07

Tuesday - Friday 10 to 5
Saturday - 10 to 3
Sunday & Monday Closed
 
 
We are beginning a new and exciting chapter at Hughes this winter. We have decided to redesign sections of the nursery and create sample vignette gardens. These gardens will give you inspiration for your own projects and also make your visit to Hughes all the more rewarding. Our plant palette and stone supplies will also increase dramatically for Spring 2010 so keep reading your newsletter for our "Grand Opening" date.
 
 
In our February newsletter we will include some exclusive special discount coupons available to our loyal customers and newsletter readers . These will be redeemable during the week following our official opening of the new gardens.
 
We are so excited to get started on this expansion and look forward to sharing it all with you in the Spring. 



In This Issue
"The Rhythms of Stone"
My Pondless Creek
Fountain Covers
Microve-Lift Autumn Winter Prep
Mailing address

Up-coming Events at Hughes Water Gardens

"The Rhythms of Stone"
Stone Sculpting at Hughes Water Gardens


Rock Face 2

Saturday's November 7th, 14th & 21st from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
This workshop is one workshop that is held over 3 consecutive Saturdays.
 

Award-winning sculptor DJ Garrity will lead a fascinating exploration of the art of stone sculpture at Hughes Water Gardens.
Garrity,  who served three tours of duty as the Sculptor-In-Residence of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial,
has established an international reputation with his innovative workshop. The artist's refined
approach to the expressive qualities of the human face allows the participants to finesse an image from stone, which carries their unique creative imprint.
No previous background in the arts is required.
 
The workshop fee is $285 and includes materials and use of tools. Space is limited.
 
 This program is approved by the Oregon State Landscape Contractors Board for continuing education credits (18 CEH)
and by Augustana College for Teachers' professional Development.
 To register for the workshop please contact:
Hughes Water Gardens

Tinkerbelle's
Pond Tips
 

 
tinkerbelle

Tinkerbelle Hughes

Build Your Pond  Suitable to Your Site and Make it Easy to Maintain

Are you building a koi pond or goldfish pond? Do you want a natural or formal pond? Do you have time to do your own maintenance?  

Consider carefully what it is you expect from your pond and research what you need to make it happen. Maybe it's for the love of plants or maybe you want to bring nature into your backyard. For instance a koi pond needs to be deeper than a gold fish pond; if you want lilies you need at least five hours of sunlight for them to flower and an area that is somewhat still from movement of a waterfall.
 
Come to our free classes next spring and learn what you need to do to fulfill your dream of having a water garden.




Quick Links...

Join Our Mailing List



Weekly classes start back up March 2010  






view of hughes

Hughes Water Gardens




Niki's Creek
My Experiences Building My
Pondless Creek.

 
A long term customer of Hughes wanted to share her experience building her own pondless creek. Her journal below is laid out in a question and answer form.

 
 
 
What is the style of the water feature, and why did you choose that style?

 
My creek is a natural looking pondless feature. It is 50 feet long and an average of 3' wide, it runs into a 16' x 4' pondless reservoir that is 3' deep.  The reservoir is long and narrow to accommodate the narrow area behind the shed.
 
I chose a pondless (underground pond/reservoir) creek because I already have three ponds (I think that is enough).  There is also a lot less maintenance with a pondless feature than a pond. They get a lot less algae and debris in the water therefore you do not have to clean them as often.  
 
What specific site challenges did you have?
 
The creek site had some challenges.  The first being that there are drainage issues in the winter.  So to avoid my liner being pushed up  by water flowing under it (the baby whale effect), I had to put a french drain under the liner to direct the water elsewhere. 
 
Another challenge was the large roots I had to remove.  Two years ago I cut down two trees that were over 40 feet tall. They left behind roots as thick as a human leg.  I had to chainsaw them out. (This was the only part of building the creek I had help on).
 
Did you put in a filter? UV light? Skimmer?
 
Because the main body of water is covered - debris and sunlight (the two main ingredients of algae) can't enter the water therefore you should not need any of these items to keep the water clean.   
 
What mistakes did you make? 
 
 
Even though I attended Hughes Water Gardens free seminar before I started the project I did not fully heed what they told me and my advice is to really listen to what they tell you and you will not get into any trouble.
 
My first big mistake was underestimating my liner length - I was 5 feet short!  When you measure a creek bed that curves always measure on the long edge not down the middle.   

 
The second mistake was not making the reservoir big enough.  It must be a minimum of double the volume of your creek. However, my reservoir was not deep enough and  when the water was flowing it lowered the water level in the reservoir enough so it was not covering the pump. So I had to add 4 more feet to the reservoir with a deep area for the pump. 

The third mistake was in one spot I did not have a foot overlap of liner over the edge of the creek bed.  It was more like a inch.  I thought it would be o.k. - it was not. The edge of the liner went below the water line and water leaked out - NEVER SKIMP ON LINER.  I had to seam on another foot of liner.   Word of advise - avoid the seaming process, it is messy and not fun!
 
What was the most enjoyable part of the building process?

Stacking the rock and making the spill ways was a lot of fun - even though it was hard work.  However absolutely the best part is the first time you turn on the pump.  I was jumping up and down with excitement.
 
What came out better than expected?

The reservoir - I made it look like a log jam.  It has rocks, logs and plants all together in a jumbled mess that looks great!.  There is also an easy access hatch so I can get to my pump easily.

How long did it take?
 
Because of some physical and time limitations (I work too much) it took me 3 months to complete this feature. Keep in mind I am a 42 year old women with back and neck problems -  I completed 99% the work myself - I think that is pretty cool.



Add-on to Reservoir             Creek in process
Niki's reservoirNiki's creek being buildt
Fountain Covers for Winterizing
Henri's Fountain Covers

The Fountain Cover is designed to provide maximum protection of your cast-stone fountain that otherwise would be exposed to harsh winter weather and ice damage. The covers are specifically designed and shaped for fountains and provide bottom-tie nylon drawstrings for a snug and tight fit.

Manufactured of durable, reinforced polyethylene, the Henri Fountain Covers are waterproof and UV stabilized, and they may be reused year after year. Five fountain cover sizes are available:

Prepare Now for a Cleaner
and
Healthier Pond in Spring

Microbelift

Microbe-Lift Autumn Winter Prep helps accelerate the decomposition of leaves, sediment, and other organic matter during the fall and winter months. The cellulase enzymes along with cellulase producing bacteria, are the key to accelerating the break down of leaves, organic matter and sludge all winter long.


To shop on-line click here
 

 
Our Mailing Address
25289 SW Stafford Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062 
 
Winter Hours
November - March
Tuesday - Friday
10 to 5
Saturday
10 to 3
Sunday & Monday
Closed

Our Telephone
503-638-1709

Copyright (C) 2009 Hughes Water Gardens. All rights reserved


    (proof that we will make anything a fountain)    pumpkin     dark pumpkinpumpkin 3

$5.00 Off

Any one purchase at Hughes Water Gardens

over $25.00


 
Offer Expires: 12/02/2009     coupon valid at retail nursery only