Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations planting underwater vegetation for ducks, good or bad?

My pond is nearly full, just about 2' to go. I am considering buying some type of underwater plant to attract waterfowl, would any of you suggest or not-suggest something for the 2 shallow ends of the pond.

Are you wanting a fish pond or a duck habitat primarily?

i'm thinking about planting duck potato (arrowhead) in shallow areas of my pond.

any one ever tried this?

BarO makes a good point. It is all about priorities. Many people prefer the waterfowl / wildlife aspects of ponds to the fishing aspects. I agree that it is neat - up to a point. I have had numerous people offer to buy the seed and pay if I would consider sowing some different plants (millet, rice, etc.) to attract waterfowl and then letting them hunt. About the time, I start to weaken, the recollection of hundreds of geese and their droppings hits me like a ton of bricks. I don't have that many right now; but I still have more ducks and geese than I want. Why would I do that to attract more? If you do want to attract them, I've heard good things about millet, rice, and etc. Arrowhead and some others may be better year around.

arrowhead, i'll look into that. whatever i plant, I want to make sure it does not become overwhelming and take over the pond

where can you buy arum leaf arrowhead/wapato/duck potato? I've found it on the internet, but not a place to buy it or directions on how to plant it, any ideas or links?

Arro aurm grows around here in most wetland areas. Find a swamp near you and it will transplant just fine. Rice and Jap millet will work well and not become a problem in fact should aid both waterfowl and fishery.

Smart weed, sago , and arrowhead are all I worry about having anymore. Jap millet and rice is nice, but too much work and to dependent on water levels. If you are patient, wetland plants will sprout from dormant seeds in the soil as conditions are right.

does the sago and smart weed attract waterfowl just as much or more than arrowhead?

portable ladder - here is some info on sago pondweed, both it's benifits and drawbacks:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/pondweed/econom.htm

Most of the ducks that come in on me, go to the flooded smart weed first. Then to the arrowhead and sago.

Do you guys have any links or sources for those plants? Smart weed, sago and arrowhead?

I did a search, but I'm not sure what I'm finding is what your talking about.

I'd love to have some plants around my shoreline where it's too steep to mow that are benificial. Mabey even go out into the water for a few feet before it gets too deep.

Thanks, this is a great thread!!

Eddie

I have found local fish pond suppliers that sell arrowhead, it is only in stock during the summer, May-August.