SUN EXPOSURE

[Mmathis]

When I planned the pond this time last year, I SWEAR that the area I chose had a TON of sun! Well, I guess the trees grew a little since then. The pond gets a good bit of sunshine, but no one area gets 100%. In fact, a few spots get a few hours of morning sun, some shade, then a few more hours of afternoon sun. So if a plant gets 4-6 hours of sun, does it matter if that is intermittent exposure?

 

[addy1]

Two of my lilies at the far end of the pond, are shaded quite a bit, the maple tree shades one small part of the pond edge about 1 foot out into the deep end. They only get some afternoon sun and are blooming well. So intermittent exposure is fine.

 

[Mmathis]

Thanks, ADDY, I feel better! At the point we actually dug the hole, I was so excited that I didn't take the time to note where the sun was [as I said, there was sunshine there last year...]. Then when I realized that it wasn't in full sun afterall, I was disappointed

We saw this as an opportunity to trim some of the trees -- they needed it -- and it did open things up a bit. Of course, all the time we were pruning, Hubby kept reminding me that, "You know, we're just making it easier for the kites [and other flying predators] to find the turtles." Thanks, Hubby!

 

[j.w]

TM what kinds of critters go after the turtles? I know dogs will but are there birds too that will be able to get them?

 

[Mmathis]

I've never had a problem, but raptors are potentials (we have kites & red-tailed hawks). Coons & possums, but have only ever seen possums. I don't think the turts would be their first choice to snack on, though. Dogs are pretty controlled, so not worried there. There are neighborhood cats, but a cat would have to be mighty desperate to go after a box turtle. Snakes, but again, not really a concern. Haven't seen any herons or other water birds around, but there are a bunch here. We just have plenty of easily accessible places for them to hunt. Then there are the neighborhood brats...

So the birds would be my main concern, I guess.