August 2015

Out on a Limb

....the birds of the air can perch in its shade. Mark 4: 30-32

"Hello" and "Thank You" for subscribing to our e-newsletter!

This month's newsletter highlights water gardening. We have the Southwest Metro's largest selection of Koi, water plants and water garden supplies. If you have a water garden already, or if your thinking of adding one, we hope you come visit us so you can experience for yourself our wide array of pets, plants and products to help you enjoy God's wonderful creation of water.

When you think of water, what's the first thing that pops into your mind?

For some, it may be the refreshing first gulp of a cold glass of water on a hot day. Or maybe it's the thought of a gentle rain cleansing our atmosphere and nourishing our gardens. For many in Minnesota, it's undoubtedly a picturesque lake where you find yourself a little peace and quiet after a long day or week.

For me, I think of the many Bible verses that reference water. Did you know that "water" (or a derivation thereof) is referenced in the Bible over 600 different times? If you do a word study on "water" in the Bible, you will see it referring to oceans, lakes, streams, rivers, rain, etc... It represents good times and bad times, from flood to drought, the act of creating and the act of destroying, from affliction to blessing. On a deeper level, many references indicate that water purifies, cleanses, restores, and renews. On the deepest level, it is clear to all of us that without water there is only death!

That's where Jesus comes in. He and He alone fills us with living water, without Him, we all face certain death! He cleanses, He purifies, He satisfies, He covers over, He replenishes, He restores, He defeats sin, He creates true life, He is our redeemer, He is our friend, He is our counselor, He is our sustainer...He is the way the truth and the life, the only way of salvation. The Bible says this about Jesus.
http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/whoisJesus.htm

The real question here, and it's the most important question of your life: "Who is Jesus to you?"

My prayer is the next time you take a sip of cool refreshing water, you don't just swallow it and take another, but rather you consider the deeper things; have you tasted and been filled with the living water of Jesus? I hope you have, it's the only water that satisfies for eternity!

Carpe Diem for Christ,

Mark Halla

Steward

------------------------------------------

Pond Care 101

Please feel free to send comments, creative ideas, and newsletter contributions to aaronr@themustardseedinc.com

This from one of our loyal readers:

Dear Mustard Seed,

We have a small waterfall pond at our cabin up north and I am wondering what is the best way to take care of it when we are gone. Since it contains goldfish should we run it off and on with a timer to supply oxygen or is there another option? Also, in chemistry we learned about pH levels so what is best for this situation? Thank you.

- Ellis R.

Aquatic Manager's response: Very good question, Ellis. All fish need water that supplies adequate oxygen, some species more than others. Falling water and water plants can provide adequate oxygen to the water. Goldfish have a high tolerance to limited oxygen, but it would be a good idea to run the pump for several hours each day. Regarding pH it is important that levels are maintained between 7-8. Higher pH values are harmful to fish and increases algae growth. We are seeing high pond pH values this year.

Turn this fountain kit into your own personalized creation

SEASONAL POND CARE

With countless products available for use in our water gardens, it can become a little overwhelming. Should we be adding a dozen chemicals to our ponds every week? What should we be doing? Well, to a great degree that is very specific to each individual pond. There is no right answer that will apply to every koi pond and water garden. However, there are some basics that almost every pondkeeper should be doing to take care of their pond.

Click HERE for more information.

Come check out our koi collection of Choice, Elite, Butterfly, and Shubunkin to name a few.

We also have a variety of goldfish in many sizes and colors.

We have several pond options to fit your needs. We stock materials for the do-it-yourselfer or offer services from our talented staff of landscape design professionals to help make your dream a reality. Click HERE to contact us today.

1. Indoor Pond 2. Outdoor Pond 3. Pondless Waterfall

A one stop shop for your pond needs! Stop by our Aqua Hut or click HERE for more.

Spruce up your garden, patio, or porch with an elegant water fountain.

25% OFF all retail fountains

(Valid now until August 31st)

Fountains LARGE
, medium, and small...

WE HAVE THEM ALL!

Plant Search

What a cool tool. Check it out!

Find the ideal plants for your landscape and garden needs by searching through our extensive offering of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and other plants. You may create your own plant list, print it and bring it into the store to see the wonderful plants you have selected!

Click HERE

Staff Profile

Name: Collin Patterson

Family info: Mom, dad, Alexis, grammy & grampy.

Position with company: Retail, guest assistance, and maintenance.

Hobbies: Fishing, reading, animal care, PAINTING LANDSCAPES, learning latin, guitar and piano. Creative writing (mainly poems).

Food: Any and ALL

Goal This Year: Working on polishing up my 3rd year of latin so I can understand scientific names and meanings of plants!

The Green Copper Gate - by Collin

In front of me my eyes did see

a green copper gate with flowers of late

the forest white with walls stone high

no jays would call out till the break of light

trestles of vines spindled around

up on the roof and down on the ground

the snow dusted trees, the frosty blue wind

spun and it whipped and it flew and spinned

the stars casted down its cold yellow light

and turned the lake seafire white

and still I stood by the green copper gate

so old and wise with far little fate

with wide clear skies and time turning fast

the evergreens whispered of winters of past

an age seemed to pass by the green copper gate

towering stone walls and flowers of late

when all of a sudden a light caught my eye

like a great plate of fire it rose through the sky

and the gate shone like emerald and the jays flew miles high

and so did we

the snow was sparks of silver

and there I stood with my copper companion

he was transformed before the wind

into the great pearly gates that welcome me in.

---------------------------------------------

Exclusive offer for our newsletter readers:

---------------------------------------------

The Koi Korner by our Aqua Man, Jon.

Warmer temperatures and longer summer days can influence the quality of your pond, resulting in increased algae growth. Floating plants and water treatments such as Algaway 5.4 are effective ways to control such problems. The excessive rainfall conditions that we have experienced this summer and resulting runoff can produce higher levels of phosphate and nitrogen. We are also seeing higher pH levels this year.

Like Us on Facebook

The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center at Halla Nursery

10,000 Great Plains Blvd.

(Pioneer Trail & Hwy 101, Chanhassen)

952-445-6555

www.TheMustardSeedInc.com

Our Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

__________"Rooted in integrity and founded on faith in Christ!"__________