I am doing a class one water Garden's for The Home Depot on Wednesday and I would like to get some good Input from you all on getting newbys started off right in the hobby. It would be greatly appreciated as a helping guide. Thanks :bowdown:
Need Input "PLEASE"
- Thread starter pondlady
- Start date
This is going to sound obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many people I run into that make this mistake. De-chlorinator! Teach them safe water for the fish. Also if you put an in-ground pond, it is a good idea to keep it a little above ground level. Keeps run off out and also dirt and other stuff.
try to keep it out of full day sun. Don't rush. Take the time to do it right.
I would keep it simple myself.
I would start out with performed ponds.
Explain why there is a ledge around the interior and how you can plant marginal plants on the shelf.
Most may not know about marginal plants, they only know that they want water lilies and koi fish.
A preformed pond clearly shows the different planting requirements that aquatic plants require.
To me what is water gardening 101.
And yes they can also get what they want to (water lilies and koi fish).
But there will be people that want more then a preformed pond.
So then move up to a liner type of pond.
They can use the information that they learned about a preformed pond and visualize how to dig and plan a liner type of pond.
But keep it simple for the class.
There may be a lot of distractions at the store and a lot of information to digest.
So I would pass out flyers with your web address.
Then I would break it down on the flyer and provide the URL to topics of interest.
That way they can learn at there pace, without distractions.
I have seen your videos.
You will be great!
I would start out with performed ponds.
Explain why there is a ledge around the interior and how you can plant marginal plants on the shelf.
Most may not know about marginal plants, they only know that they want water lilies and koi fish.
A preformed pond clearly shows the different planting requirements that aquatic plants require.
To me what is water gardening 101.
And yes they can also get what they want to (water lilies and koi fish).
But there will be people that want more then a preformed pond.
So then move up to a liner type of pond.
They can use the information that they learned about a preformed pond and visualize how to dig and plan a liner type of pond.
But keep it simple for the class.
There may be a lot of distractions at the store and a lot of information to digest.
So I would pass out flyers with your web address.
Then I would break it down on the flyer and provide the URL to topics of interest.
That way they can learn at there pace, without distractions.
I have seen your videos.
You will be great!
I'm sorry I was late responding to this post.
I hope your class went well.
Some of the novice mistakes I can think of are ...
1) Thinking that they can adjust the liner after there's water in the pond. (I'll just pick it up and tug it into place ... WRONG!)
2) Matching the right size pump to the right size pond.
3) Understanding that if rocks are going to be used to conceal the lining, that the rocks need to be stable. Big squarish rocks are the best foundation since round rocks tend to roll. It helps if there's an incline to the pond to help support the rocks.
4) Understanding that algae turns water green and that there are several options to clarifying the water that don't include pouring in a ton of chlorine.
5) Understanding how to clean a pond. My veggies love the muck I get from the koi and goldfish.
6) Explanation of what a filter is, what types of filters there are, and why the filter is your friend.
7) Explaining how ponds connect to filters ... or is it the other way around? :icon_rolleyes:
8) Explaining the concept of water flow with regards to water filter and pump placement.
9) A general reminder that stagnant water invites mosquitoes to breed. Mosquitoes are not our friends.
I hope your class went well.
Some of the novice mistakes I can think of are ...
1) Thinking that they can adjust the liner after there's water in the pond. (I'll just pick it up and tug it into place ... WRONG!)
2) Matching the right size pump to the right size pond.
3) Understanding that if rocks are going to be used to conceal the lining, that the rocks need to be stable. Big squarish rocks are the best foundation since round rocks tend to roll. It helps if there's an incline to the pond to help support the rocks.
4) Understanding that algae turns water green and that there are several options to clarifying the water that don't include pouring in a ton of chlorine.
5) Understanding how to clean a pond. My veggies love the muck I get from the koi and goldfish.
6) Explanation of what a filter is, what types of filters there are, and why the filter is your friend.
7) Explaining how ponds connect to filters ... or is it the other way around? :icon_rolleyes:
8) Explaining the concept of water flow with regards to water filter and pump placement.
9) A general reminder that stagnant water invites mosquitoes to breed. Mosquitoes are not our friends.