new pond and bog - status report

[allif]

Last year we had an opossum get in the chicken coop and eat some chickens.
I would have never thought an opossum would eat chickens, but he was caught in the act.

My daughter's dumb ex-boyfriend illegally shot and killed that opossum with his 40 caliber. He shot right through into the shed and blew out a tire on his stump grinder. What an idiot. Any higher aim and he could have hit the house. What a jerk! Discharging a firearm that close to a residence is illegal.

I wouldn’t have expected opposum to be chicken killers either. We’re kind of partial to them here, not sure how we would handle that. Anyone who tried to kill one would be excommunicated immediately.

Good that fellow is your daughter’s “ex”.
He sounds a little reckless.

 

[addy1]

We enjoy our opposums, they clean up the dead bees, eat ticks, in general don't bother us. Welcome to live here. They will eat anything, opportunistic eaters.

 

[gello22]

And I thought we spoiled our dogs!

 

[huckleberryfinn]

sooo awesome....and homey...looks shady too...bet the tree roots were trouble

 

[allif]

And I thought we spoiled our dogs!

we do that too
don't tell the ducks but his pond is way bigger (we didn't dig it).

 

[allif]

sooo awesome....and homey...looks shady too...bet the tree roots were trouble

surprisingly, we didn't have much trouble with the roots. just one or two and they weren't too big.
hope that bodes well for the trees.

 

[GBBUDD]

Last year we had an opossum get in the chicken coop and eat some chickens.
I would have never thought an opossum would eat chickens, but he was caught in the act.

My daughter's dumb ex-boyfriend illegally shot and killed that opossum with his 40 caliber. He shot right through into the shed and blew out a tire on his stump grinder. What an idiot. Any higher aim and he could have hit the house. What a jerk! Discharging a firearm that close to a residence is illegal.

@poconojoe don't hold in the frustration, give it to us straight

 

[GBBUDD]

We do spoil our dogs

 

[allif]

Pond is super clear! I know you all said it would be, but still - I'm blown away.
Even with the ducks in and out. And the chickens are loving the running water. Who knew.
I'm glad to know there will always be fresh-ish water for everyone.
Now we're just waiting for the plants to take off...
This has been such a fun project. It's meant putting the pizza oven on hold, but I think my husband has been enjoying the build and results so much he almost doesnt mind.
Thanks everyone!

 

[poconojoe]

@poconojoe don't hold in the frustration, give it to us straight

Ha!

 

[poconojoe]

Pond is super clear! I know you all said it would be, but still - I'm blown away.
Even with the ducks in and out. And the chickens are loving the running water. Who knew.
I'm glad to know there will always be fresh-ish water for everyone.
Now we're just waiting for the plants to take off...
This has been such a fun project. It's meant putting the pizza oven on hold, but I think my husband has been enjoying the build and results so much he almost doesnt mind.
Thanks everyone!

That's great!
Enjoy!

 

[GBBUDD]

Get as many fast growing plants in there you can yes your ear now but the duck poo will give algae all it needs to explode in the not so distant future. Plants like lotus. water cress , crepping jenny , duck weed and water clovers are a few of them plants for first year ponds. Should also add penny wart very invasive hard to remove fully as one sprig left behind and its back.

 

[allif]

Ok thank you for that. I thought one plant per square foot or so, but happy to add more.
It's a good excuse for a hike (been culling from our wetlands, figuring it's a good indicator of what does well here).
Right now we have cattails, some kind of fern, some kind of cress, flag iris, and skunk cabbage.
And a water lily (or maybe it' a lotus). I've been careful to clean off what I think are the invasive plants, but I really need to learn to id things.
If I add duck weed, would I put it in the pond or the bog?

It's pretty shady over by the bog so that limits what will grow well.

 

[GBBUDD]

Be careful of cat tails they can be very invasive as well as poke right through the liner.
Dont know about skunk cabbage it explodes in the spring then slows way down but maybe its sending runners below grade

 

[allif]

Oh! hadn’t thought of that. Will definitely keep an eye. Both the cattails and the skunk cabbage are lagging at the moment, it’s early yet but they may be shortlived in this bog anyway. I’ll poke around see what else I can find out there.