Spring start up 101 (April 25th 12:00 Noon) FREE
Your best start ever! Spring is a crucial time to jump start the vitality of your pond. Come to this class to learn techniques for pond start up. Items of discussion will include:
- Pond Clean: benefits of having your pond cleaned or doing it yourself. Discover the immediate and long term benefits that a pond clean provides
- Product discussion: Microbe Lift PL, Algae Fix, & other products used for Spring start up and year round vitality.
Regular maintenance 101 (May 9th 12:00 Noon) FREE
Learn the best secrets for regular maintenance on your water feature. Learn what do and what not to do, what to add and what not to add. Bring your personal questions to be answered by the experts.
- Regularly cleaning your filter system keeps your pond clean and is beneficial for your pump.
- Products to use for regular weekly and monthly maintenance on your pond.
- Filtration, Aeration, Circulation: these three elements are essential to a healthy, living pond.
Filtration is accomplished by having filter media inside your skimmer box or another location. If you have fish it is essential to have an appropriate amount of biological filter media.
Aeration is accomplished by moving your pond water and splashing it back into the water by using a waterfall pump or a fountain. Aeration can also be accomplished by installing an electrical air pump.
Proper circulation occurs with a properly placed pump that is compatible to the size of your pond. We encourage your pond pump to turn over the entire water volume of your pond a minimum of 1.5 times per hour. Example: 1000 gallon pond = 1500 GPH Gallon Per Hour pump. You must have the appropriate amount of all three (circulation, aeration, and filtration) to achieve and maintain a healthy, living pond.
Natural, chemical & UV treatments 101 (May 9th 1:00 PM) FREE
Join this class to learn about the different chemical, natural and ultra violet UV pond treatments available to maximize the health and vitality of your pond.
- A combination of both natural and chemical pond treatments are often required to keep your pond clean and healthy, but its up to you to discover what combo works best.
- Natural: barley (extract, pellets, and bales), Microbe Lift (MLPL fall/winter prep), salt, bio-bags.
- Chemical: An overview of the best water treatment products used by Backyard Blessings.
- UV: Ultra Violet sterilizer: learn the basics to UV usage and care.
Plants 101 (May 9th 2:00 PM) FREE
Come learn about aquatic plants from the aquatic plant fanatics: how to care for the different plants, and how to identify the different species. Learn the proper placement of plants and where they thrive.
- How many plants should I have in my pond?
- Bloomers, non-bloomers, annuals & perennials (what blooms when)
- Native, tropical, aggressive, and invasive species.
- Lilies, Lotus, floaters & bog plants.
- Plant tabs and & other fertilizers
- Types of planters & soil to use
- How to keep your fish and other animals from eating your aquatic plants
Fish Care 101 (May 23rd 12:00 Noon) FREE
Join us to learn about the different styles of fish. Learn about Koi species, how to properly care for them, how to treat illnesses and how to prevent them, how to shelter your fish from predators, and when to start/stop feeding.
- US and Japanese import Koi, Shubunkin & Goldfish (comets).
- How to care for and maintain your fish so that they not only live but become happy healthy members of your pond.
- How to treat and prevent illnesses; discuss common illnesses and reference diagrams
- Sheltering fish from sun & predators (raccoons, big cats, large birds)
- Proper feeding amount, type, and seasonal feeding and care.
- Visuals to identify Koi species: identify the 10 most common and discuss characteristics.
Pond Building 101-105 (June 20th) Join this all day class 9:00AM-4:00PM.
Lunch is provided. T-shirt included. Cost is $30 per individual or $50 per couple. Stay all day or come and go as you please. This is a hands on workshop, participate as much or little as you want. Limit 20.
- Choosing a water feature location; choosing a size/shape/depth/style/waterfall & stone.
- Doing the dig
- Installing the underliner & liner
- Installing the equipment: skimmer, pump, waterfall filter & tubing.
- Installing the stones and waterfall,
- Add plants, water & start up chemicals.
Pond Building 101-105 (July 11th) Join this all day class 9:00AM-4:00PM.
Lunch is provided. T-shirt included. Cost is $30 per individual or $50 per couple. Stay all day or come and go as you please. This is a hands on workshop, participate as much or little as you want. Limit 20
- Choosing a water feature location; choosing a size/shape/depth/style/waterfall and stone.
- Doing the dig
- Installing the underliner & liner
- Installing the equipment: skimmer, pump, waterfall filter & tubing.
- Installing the stones and waterfall,
- Add plants, water & start up chemicals.
Fall/Winter shut down 101 (October 3rd 12:00 Noon) FREE
Preparing your water feature for fall and winter is important. Come to this class to learn the best strategies for maintaining healthy water and proper shut down for your plants, fish and water feature during the winter. Items of discussion will include:
- It is essential for your next year’s pond enjoyment, and for the overall wellbeing of your pond that you properly shut down your pond each year!
- Always place a heater into your pond so that the ice does not entirely freeze over
- STOP feeding your fish when water temp drops to 45 degrees.
- Build a pond dome with your net and pvc tubing
- Aerator or no aerator? Decide if you are going to keep your waterfall running or not. If not, decide what you will use to aerate or circulate the pond water.
- Add Microbe Lift AW once a month for proper biological activity during the winter months.