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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
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OP
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5 |
Hi, I just moved to Northwest Colorado and have a small pond that some ducks are using and would like to plant stuff, preferably perrenials, in or around the pond to keep them there. I have read that duckweed, pondweed, smartweed, chufa,jap millet etc. are good but I don't know if they will grow well in this part of Colorado and I am having a difficult time finding a place that sells them. If anyone has suggestions they would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99 |
I would call Mike Mitchell, of Queen of the River Consulting in Longmont. He's been a private consulting biologist in Colorado for about 30 years and can be a good contact for you. (303) 589-2178 mike@qorconsult.com
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
How big is your pond and are you able to manipulate the water level of it?
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
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OP
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5 |
It is a small pond about 3500 sq feet. I cant manipulate the water level. The ducks use it a lot and it does have some sort of vegetation in it that the ducks eat but I'm not sure what it is.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2 |
I would call Mike Mitchell, of Queen of the River Consulting in Longmont. He's been a private consulting biologist in Colorado for about 30 years and can be a good contact for you. (303) 589-2178 mike@qorconsult.com please share whatcha learn
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 841 |
I recently found a BOW that has some wild celery growing in it. I borrowed a few plants to see how they'd grow in my area..... I was suprised that they were growing so deep in the lake bottom. In nid-calf deep water, the crown of the roots was a good 7" into the lake bottom.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
Are you wanting to hunt the ducks or is this just for viewing pleasure?
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
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OP
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5 |
Both hunting and viewing....but I think once the shooting starts they will leave for other ponds nearby.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
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OP
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5 |
Mike Mitchell recommended smartweed and sago pondweed. I will get them planted next year.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 529
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 529 |
Definitely smartweed. Mitchell should know!
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 82
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 82 |
I have heard alot about Chufa in the last few years for ducks. It was originally a major turkey food plot seed but has become well known for duck hunting also. I have included the following link, and from what I understand is duck hunters have good luck planting in the late spring in low water levels (area's where the pond has dried up) and then come fall when the water level rises, the plants become sumerged and the ducks go crazy! www.tn.gov/twra/pdfs/chufa.pdfGood luck...Ryan
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2 |
wonder if it drives muskrats crazy, too
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1 |
Step 1: Leave the grass tall around your pond. Refrain from trimming weeds growing near the edge of the water. Wild ducks will nest in the grasses to protect themselves and their young from predators and the environment. Step 2: Plant aquatic plants such as widgeon grass and wild celery in and around your pond. Wild ducks feed on many types of aquatic plants, so it is essential to have an abundant food source available to them. Widgeon grass is easy to grow and does well in most ponds, including those with brackish water. Step 3: Provide enough space for wild ducks to nest comfortably. While some ducks do not defend their territory, others are very defensive and will fight with other animals or leave to nest elsewhere. Do not place birdhouses and other animal habitats around your pond if you want to attract wild ducks.
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