lClearwater Ponds
THE FROGGER!!
   June 2008 Newsletter
The Frogger! June 2008
IN THIS ISSUE OF THE FROGGER
The Pond Squad Happenings
5th Annual Pond Tour
Water Plants 101
QUICK LINKS
NEW PAYMENT OPTIONS!
credit cards
Clearwater Ponds accepts Visa, Mastercard or Amex!!  When booking any of our services simply tell us how you would like to pay.
JOIN OUR LIST
 
"The Pond Squad" Happenings! 

* Make sure you don't miss any of the exciting happenings at TERRA greenhouses. Check out the weekly savings, we all love a deal!!  Terra Specials 

*Clearwater Ponds SURFIN SAFARI Pond Tour! 

Clearwater Ponds is proud to be hosting their 5th annual charity pond tour on Saturday June 21st, 2008. (The first day of summer!!).
All proceeds will be going to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
 
Wow, what crazy weather we have had!  I am sure you have all had "interesting" things happening with your ecosystems.  Have no fear, it will get better.  Continue with your bacterias and your S.A.B. as necessary, and your water will be sparkling in no time! 
 frog legs
We just installed a brand new water feature at our home, and it has been going through many different cycles, but when I woke up this morning to have my coffee by the pond, I was joyful to see I really did have rocks on the bottom!!  Isn't nature wonderful, when we let it take it's course!
 
I also would like to welcome all of you new pond owners to the Clearwater Ponds Pondering Family.  Our crews have been incredibly busy and there are alot of new pond owners out there, so welcome and we hope you enjoy pondering as much as the rest of us! 

"The summer night is like perfection of thought"

                                             Wallace Stevens
 
SURFIN' SAFARI POND TOUR 2008
 Clearwater Ponds would like to welcome you to come on a safari pond tour with us!  Saturday June 21st we are hosting our 5th annual charity pond tour.
 
A huge thank you to those of you who are so graciously opening your properties for this event.  For those of you who were not asked please don't feel you are not tour worthy.  This year because of the price of fuel, and to be environmentally friendly we have kept the tour to a much smaller area, showcasing features that are closer together and are a variety of sizes.
 
Why go on the tour when you already own a pond?  Here are 5 reasons:
  1.  It is a great way to see how others have landscaped and "decorated" their features
  2. You get to meet other pond owners, who probably like talking about their pond as much as you do!
  3. This event is for a great cause, ticket proceeds are supporting the Canadian Diabetes Association
  4. It is a great opportunity for you to show your friends and family other ponds, especially if they have been thinking about a water feature too.
  5. It is a fabulous way to spend the first day of summer!

This year we are giving away 2 pond kits to ticket holders.  We are also having a "kick-off" at Terra Greenhouses Milton location where you can come out and see us "The Pond Squad" on the Saturday of the tour.

 We hope to see you surfin' with us!  Tickets are on sale now at TERRA Greenhouses locations.  For more information you can visit our site at www.thepondsquad.com.
 
 
Water Plants 101- Plant of the Month
Incredible Water Iris!
Every year in June I look forward to a special showing of Iris in bloom in my pond.  This year has been the best display yet! (sorry to brag it took 5 years to get this though and I am pretty proud!)  So let's talk about the Incredible Iris.
Two varieties that we will focus on is Yellow Flag Water Iris (Iris pseudacorus) and Blue Water Iris (Iris versicolor).iris
The Iris I have in my pond is Yellow Flag Iris.  Irises are some of the most popular hardy shallow water plants. The foliage is attractive and makes a good backdrop or, a companion to some of the other plants in the bog. The flowers have an eye-catching appeal, being among some of the the most exotic flowers in the pond. They are also great as filtering agents in ponds and can be grown in any moist area. This Iris can be planted along the edge of the pond or directly in the water itself. This is one of theblue iris more robust Iris. The tall, thick leaves contrast well in the spring with tall spikes of bright yellow flowers. This plant grows up to 5 feet tall, with the flowers on stalks up to 6 feet high.   Iris pseudacorus does best if cut back and thinned out every two years and the dead leaves should not be allowed to accumulate.  This is so true, thinning back Iris is so important for that great display in the spring.  Plant in full sun to Part shade.
Blue Water Iris is quite similar in growth habits. However, it does grow a little smaller in height 24-36" in height compared to the 5' height of the Yellow water Iris. Making it a good choice for smaller sized ponds.  It likes its roots just below water level, but not deeper than 6" below water level.   It also grows nicely in very moist soil; full sun to part shade.  Hardy to Zone 3.    Blue Water Iris will bloom earlier in spring than it's Yellow cousin so why don't you plant both to have a continuous Iris show for spring. 
Both Irises are available at our favourite garden center, TERRA Greenhouses.

     "A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken!" 

                                   James Dent

                                                     
Enjoy the beautiful summer time.  Don't forget to come surfin with us on June 21st, for our pond tour!
 
Sincerely,
 
Clearwater Ponds 
"The Pond Squad"