Those Long Cold Days of Winter

What is the difference between a water gardener and a penguin? In this weather-not much! Oh well, I guess the main difference is we want to save the fish, not eat them. The problem here in the Mid-west is-- this winter has been just awful. What do you do when 12" of snow is followed by 2" of ice and three weeks of sub-zero wind chill weather? When you know without looking that none of your winterizing was up to the brutality of the weather?

One thing you don't do is try to pound a hole in the ice. It won't work and it may kill fish and put a hole in your liner. Try boiling water--LOTS of boiling water. Once you have melted the hole in the ice here are few products to try.

Pond-Vent Ice Preventer 900
The Pond Vent pulls up the warmer water from the bottom of the pond. This water is abut 39 degrees--warm enough to keep a hole about 11" in the surface of the pond. The Pond vent runs around $60.00. Pond vent is found at many water garden suppliers. Here is a link to get you started Reeds and Weeds

Floating Pond De-icer
About $45.00 Here is another item found in many catalogs it just floats around in the pond and generates enough heat to keep a hole in the ice. An optional "guard" is also available. Waterford Gardens appears to have them in stock.

Circulating De-Icer
This circulating de-icer is a floating pump that claims to keep a hole in the ice allowing oxygenation of the pond. It can be found at Ponds On-Line

Don't forget to visit the many water garden suppliers on my Suite101 On-Line Suppliers list

With this weather, ponding outside is out of the question, so I spend more time on the computer, visiting virtual ponds and water gardens, watching TV and reading. Dreaming of spring. The gardening shows on television help a bit, although I find myself wanting to move south.

The books are wonderful, full of information and inspiration. Here are two links for some good choices.William Tricker Inc. offers a selection of books and videos to help you while away the winter blues and plan for spring. For more book selections The ubiquitous Amazon.com offers a wide varity.

I thought some software would come in handy, both to fill the void winter brings and to inform. Here are a couple of

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