Friday, April 2, 2010

Rock Beds & The Spring Pond

Last year I made a new pond. You can see the whole story on the left side bar. The post was: It Took 3 Ponds.  My ponds have always been very clear, so I decided it would be neat to line the inside of my 6ft x 11ft –24” to 33” deep pond with heavy stacked stones.  I have very happy fish that stay in the pond year round. A pond expert told me that stacked stones would create an area for debris to accumulate.   Last week some above normal temperatures gave Ted and I the opportunity to pump the pond out. I carefully netted the fish and put them into a large container with some of their original water.  Then I walked in and proceeded to lift out the rocks. Ted helped me with a couple of the really big ones. I now have biceps and triceps and “bottomceps” from walking in and out of the pond.   It was chaos with all the rock surrounding the pond. Ted took a picture, but I told him I would not blog such a messy scene.  So what to do with so much rock.  I made 3 raised beds for veggies and dry stacked the rest into a partial fence.



Yes, this morning we awoke to snow. But, it didn’t last.

This raised bed is in the front yard. I will be adding composted buffalo manure that I will be getting from a rancher friend. Yea! This is the year of the manure. Ted and I will be married 29 years in May and I told him that I want lots of manure as an anniversary gift. :)    Notice the dry stacked little wall in the back. I started this little wall with bits of rock I’d find around the yard.  In the country sometimes you will see circular stacks of flat rocks. We call them “sheepherders monuments”..


 rock work from pond 003

This bed is on the side yard. Notice the bit of rhubarb trying to get started. Ted loves rhubarb pie and I make sure to make him some.

rock work from pond 005

One more raised bed made from those rocks that were in the pond.  This is my Ventomatic – It is a cold frame. It automatically opens up when the inside temperature reads 72 degrees.  I have had this for many, many years. I bring it out in the spring and use to to grow seedlings and harden off plants.  This year I have brocolli started inside. I plan to plant it into medium clay pots and sink them into the soil. I am also planning to soon start some swiss chard and spinach in this cold frame.

16 comments:

  1. A very nice tour. We got an order of sweet peet today. I'm a city boy so buffalo manure sounds as exotic as zoo poop. jim

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  2. Jim - you made me laugh! We really do live in the wild west. Wind Cave National Park is about 10 miles away. There the deer and the buffalo roam. Ranching is one of the main occupations around here and some ranchers raise buffalo.

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  3. Dear Gloria, My goodness, you have been exceedingly busy but what satisfaction you must now feel at a job well done. It is often the thought of these kinds of major projects which is worse than actually carrying them out, I always think. Also, I am a great believer in utilising whatever material comes to hand - you are making very good use of your surplus rock.

    A wedding anniversary gift of buffalo manure is, to say the least, certainly different. But then, dear Gloria, you are most obviously a dedicated gardener so all is readily explained!

    My warmest wishes to you both for a very happy and peaceful Easter.

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  4. Hi Gloria, I love the “sheepherders monuments”.
    Some how I don’t think I would get the same gratitude, if I got my wife a big heap of manure for a anniversary present, in fact it probably would be the last anniversary present I would need to buy. How cool is that Ventomatic, (about 72 degrees, says you)

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  5. Hi Sunny, Yes, I imagine the sheepherder wanting to "make something", or was he just cleaning up a field? The ventomatic is very clever - It is showing it's wear. After spring I hang it back up in the garage. Yes, manure would not be many's choice. Of course, I say it in fun. But, it really is the only thing I can think of that I want, other than 2 weeks in January in Mexico. :)

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  6. Hi, Gloria! And, Happy Easter!
    You've been quite the inspiration to me. I have my pond plans all figured out and even found a fellow with a back hoe to help me get started. Now if it would just stop snowing!! :)) Hope you're having a lovely weekend...

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  7. My last anniversary I asked for some boulders, so my husband probably wouldn't bat an eye if I asked for manure. Can't wait till the snow melts and I can get started on all my projects. Frankly, I could use the exercise.

    Christine in Alaska

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  8. Hi Gloria, snow! I'm glad it didn't last! I love all your rocks. You have certainly been doing some heavy work, and soon you will see the fruit of your labor. Your pond and arbor are beautiful even in the snow, and I am looking forward to seeing them with everything green and blooming.

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  9. Dear Edith- We really are fortunate to have so much rock available to us. But, I told my husband that I want to be done with such big projects. He said he would like that in writing and with witnesses. :)

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  10. Kate, how big is that pond going to be? I look forward to seeing it in person this summer.

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  11. Christine, I think you & I are similiar! I took that flower quiz and came up a daffodil, like you! I noticed it on your blog

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  12. Deborah, it snowed a bit again this afternoon. I was actually glad. I really needed to clean house.

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  13. Hi Gloria, Wow you have been busy moving all the rock around. An anniversary gift of manure sounds perfect !:)

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  14. You have a most charming home and garden. I love the arbor, the pond, the garden house, everything.
    Donna

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  15. Can't believe you just had snow when our temps have been in the high 90's and too humid to enjoy being outdoors! I like your pond, and your beds. I have beds with rock around them too but have only perennials & non-edibles planted in them. I'm thinking about digging out the hosta that is in one of them (before it comes up all the way) and put in some edibles. I am growing veggies and herbs in pots, though. I might start eliminating some more perennials and making more beds into veggie gardens...at least, that's a 'thought'. I'm probably too addicted to my flowering blooms to give them up;-)

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