Fall Garden Party at Elm Bank on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
Starting at 2 p.m. we will have refreshments in the Display Garden. We can admire the design and textures of this lovely garden even better when it is not in bloom and members can see first hand what Pete talked about at our Chapter meeting. At 2:45 p.m. Alaric Naiman, son of long-time member Mark Naiman, will give an illustrated talk about building his wild life pond in his backyard. He plans to have a handout for those interested in trying it for themselves. He swears it is easy! He wrote this introduction for our Newsletter:
Reflections on a new pond by Alaric Naiman
As an active if inexpert landscaper living on two acres of former woodlot in Lincoln, I had long wanted to put a small pond near my house to grow aquatic plants and animals and attract visiting wildlife. Planning was complicated by wanting to fill only with roof runoff, awkward topography and budget considerations.
After much procrastination, I finally roughed in an 8x10' shallow pond last fall, completing the hydraulics just before the ground froze. Though unfinished, the pond was occupied as soon as ice left in March: frogs arrived and laid profusely; tadpoles keep the pond mosquito-free. Several adults have taken up residence. Spring visitors included toads and turtles, and dragonflies seem interested. Plants are a work in progress, with lilies blooming and lotuses leafing out, other aquatics supplying oxygen, and the margins yet unplanted.
I was surprised at how easily this pond was built, and how modest the total cost. Even more, I have been entirely delighted with the aesthetic values of the little pond, and hope to encourage more of us to take up such a rewarding project. In this talk, I will review some pond design and construction basics, share (mostly embarrassing) experiences and show a few pictures.”
Join us to enjoy our lovely garden and learn about ponds.
