Nice Floating doc Al. Why don't you ride over with Brian next week for some Tp catching? Bring your saw and hammer we can start up on a new floating pier like yours It was not on my next project list but while plans are fresh in your mind
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Thanks Keith. Not sure you would even recognize the pond right now. With almost all of the coontail and lotus gone, I'm actually getting blooms again.
The goats would be Merle and June, and we got them August of last year, on they day after they got their colostrum. Our chickens dive under their pen gate the second we let them out every morning. They get along very well. I've come to love those little Nigerian babies.
Tracy, sorry I missed your post, but you're on your own with a new dock. This one almost killed me, and I'm comfortable with my DIY limit now. I'm gonna have to pass on the trip to your place, but thank you very much for the invite. Hay guy's done for the year, and it's shredder time. Brian's stopping by here on the way to your place to pick up my haul tank, and that should get those babies back to Hooterville in good shape.
I cut down some dead cedars on the back side of the dam and piled them for quail. Then I cut down some hedge and live cedars and drug them into the pond for fish habitat. Cut down a big elm on the ditch feeding the pond and piled it in a teepee shape for the quail. Praying for some good heavy road strangling rain to fill the pond.
You may well get your rain tonight. Not very often does the forecast call for 100% chance of rain over a several hour period. We still have most of our soybeans to harvest so I hope your toad strangling rain holds off about a month or six weeks.
I saw a quail as I was feeding fish last night. Have not seen any in a while.
I'll second that. We have had wonderful weather lately.
But a front comes through tonighte and temperatures drop significantly. I'm afraid our Indian summer (or is it now Native North American indigenous summer?..... Just does not have the same ring) is over and fall has arrived.
I turned loose the RES in my pellet training project that have been in my aquaculture tank since early May. Pond temp is currently sitting at 62 degrees and will likely drop next week and it was time. I also ran the seine net and got some 2" RES to put aquarium for the winter just for fun. I was a little surprised to find 2 FHM in the haul, it's been six years since stocking FHM and I thought they were all gone by now.
It was only the first day that almost did us in. Digging the holes/setting the posts in 95°F/102°F heat index temps wasn't fun. The rest was pretty easy since you had it all framed out.
What'd we use, around 1,300 stainless deck screws??
Just joined the web site this morning. I have a question regarding the benefits or detriment of trees planted around a pond. We just moved to a farm with an existing spring fed pond. Lots of black walnuts on one side. A pond guy told us they all have to go - something about sending roots towards the water and messing up the bank. Is this true? and are there any trees we could pant where this would not be a concern. I believe there are some maples too. anyway - seems a shame to slash and burn it all. Thanks!
I am no expert on this, but other than the dam, I do not stress about trees on the banks. Trees on the dam can cause leaks. I do take out the willows as they are invasive. Its easier to take out trees later than it is to replace nice size trees. Heck, I planted bald cypress right in the water around the non-dam areas of two of my ponds. If too many leaves fall in, there could be a nutrient overload in fall, but there are many nice ponds in the woods. I know others do not share my thoughts on this. What are your goals for the pond? My ponds are for wildlife, fishing, swimming, and just enjoying the scenery.
Just joined the web site this morning. I have a question regarding the benefits or detriment of trees planted around a pond. A pond guy told us they all have to go - something about sending roots towards the water and messing up the bank.
Welcome toadhill. I really like the trees around my pond...in fact I am planting more. I suppose most of my trees are not right at the shoreline....most are back 10-50+ feet from the shoreline....but I love the way they "frame" the pond. Like RAH stated...some might worry about a "possible" horrible effect "if" too many Fall leaves set off some kind of chemical imbalance or attracting herons....hey it happens in nature....all I can say is my trees are staying....but each pond and each pond owner has different goals/likes/dislikes. Here's pics of mine this morning:
Got out on the boat and fished some of the structure I had put in before the pond had filled. Most of the time I am lazy and just fish from the bank. Had pretty good luck catching BG and CC. Caught almost all of them right on the bottom in 8-9' of water. Could hardly get a bite at the shallower levels. But then we had a 1.6" rain last night and a front went through. So I suppose that caused the fish to go deep.
Although we did not need the rain delaying soybean harvest, I was happy to see a little flow through in the main pond. Got some water exchange.
RAH, although we have very different properties, it seems as though our aquatic plant goals are very similar. Randomly placed hybrid lilies, reeds, smartweed, and American pondweed all play an important part in my overall pond health, and also give it a more natural look. Iris and taro are next on our list for the more problematic boggy areas.
I'm somewhat amazed how hard it is to find people (contractors) to do anything out in the country. In Dallas if a plumber, HVAC, electrician, whatever, doesn't show up, there are a 1000 other choices all with Yelp/Angie's List ratings. Out at the property it's a really different story. You're lucky to get a return phone call...lol
I like your "friendly" aquatic plant life ideas...