
Beer is an old remedy to get rid of the slimy critters, but if you have dogs it's not such a hot idea. Try sprinkling ginger around your plants instead. Snails can't stand the stuff!

How to water garden in common containers. Grow water garden plants. Watch how-to videos about pond plants!
All you need are:
2 - ½ inch 10’ long PVC pipes
4 – ¼ inch or smaller thick 12 inch long stakes
4 mil thick or 6 mil thick
Plastic sheeting
Scissors
Zip ties
The greenhouse in the pic above was made with 4 frames attached together.
Pound stakes into the ground
Pound at least 4 stakes about 6 inches deep into the ground for each corner of your greenhouse. You can use rebar or even tree limbs sharpened to a point (tent stakes will not work because of its shape).
Bend PVC pipe over your garden
Slide one end of the PVC pipe over one stake and bend over your garden. Slide the other end of the pipe over the stake on the other side of your garden. Repeat for the other corner.
If your garden is large, then you will need to add additional stakes and pipe. This is what I did for the long water hyacinth troth that I built - the feature pic.
Lay plastic sheeting over frame
Lay plastic sheeting over the frame. Carefully poke holes with a pair of scissors and attach with zip ties. Allow for a flap opening on one side to allow for room to tend to your garden. That’s it! It’s amazing how warm this simple greenhouse will keep your garden throughout the wintertime.
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Will any of the pond plants live thru the winter? Hyanciths die in the winter
correct?.....Is it best to get them out and dump them (they get stinky) or just leave them in the pond until spring?
Sherrie Bakersfield, CA Actually, many pond plant last through the wintertime. Water hyacinth will also last the winter. It does not do well in severe cold, but in mild climates it does very well through the winter. Water hyacinth can be wintered over indoors or covered outdoors at night with a tarp. I also have a free simple plan for a greenhouse that you can put together yourself. I really do not have any problems with stinky water hyacinth, because the hyacinth clarifies the water. Potted plants allowed to stand in stagnant water do get stinky. So I know what you mean. A good remedy for a smelly pond is to add any kind of mint plant. Water hyacinth will stay fresh if the old leaves and flowers are picked. Excess plants and old growth also makes excellent mulch. Simply toss them under your bushes or in your vegetable garden.
I’m very glad to help you! In the springtime I will have lots more plants; such as water lilies and water lotus.
GARDEN BLESSINGS
Any type of mint plant will help freshen a stinky pond.
I have a Chocolate Mint plant, will this grow in water all the time? I know the roots grow like mad when I make the babies for friends/family. Just wondering if any mint will do???
Baby Mama, Myspace.com
Hi Michelle -
Actually any kind of mint variety can acclimate to grow in the pond. Simply grow it as a shallow water bog plant. I have spearmint (which is similar) growing in my Aztec floating garden in my pond. It is a natural platform made of earth and grape vines. The mint roots dangle down through the soil and into the water. Below is a drawing I made of one growing vegetables.
Great Question! Thanks!
Do not let your water go green. There is no need for that and it will take forever to get the green gunk out. A first-year pond typically has algae problems. Drops from the pet store (located in the pond supply area) will take care of any green algae. Normally, algae will party if the water is stagnant and is in full sun all day long. (Similar to a fish tank in a sunny window.)
Only feed your outside goldfish one time per week. They do just fine with little food, because they also eat any bugs or larvae in the water. If you feed your fish too much they will die. The reflective black water is found with ponds that are very deep. Your primary goal should be clarity. I would suggest water hyacinth, water lettuce, and submerged plants such as anacharis or hornwort. I have all these plants available if you need them. Also, all of these plants provide an excellent breeding environment for fingerlings, baby goldfish.
Thanks so much for writing!
GARDEN BLESSINGS,
GAiL
Came across your offer to sell Parrot Feather during my Googling. Sorry I can't say I'm in the market as I already bought some from Eisley's Nursery in nearby Auburn, CA. HOWEVER! The reason I was searching for Parrot Feather in the first place was to find out HOW TO GET RID OF IT! This gunk is incredibly invasive and is a wonderful breading ground for mosquito larvae among other facts I have learned. The sale of it is BANNED in several states some countries. You would do well to educate yourself about it with specific instructions for contained pond users to make sure it STAYS contained. My single little sprig has spread to over 2/3 of my 30' pond.
That's all I got to say. I also noticed a couple of other plants you're selling which I found on lists of invasive plants in at least one state (Maine?) so you may wish to research all your plants.
Just sayin...
Jesse
I love getting email. Good or bad, I always love it. Here's my reply...
Hi Jesse
Mosquitoes will thrive in any body of fresh water, plants or no plants. Getting rid of them is easy. You can get free mosquito fish from your local county mosquito abatement department, or you can purchase minnows for about 6 for $1 at the pet store. They multiply quickly and will take care of all of your mosquito problems.
I am aware about the evasive plants, thanks. Actually, most pond plants can be evasive if allowed to grow without potting or some kind of control. Like any land garden, pond plants need to be tended to and plants need to be pulled when they push the limits. Even water lily and water lotus, cattail, and the humble duckweed can go crazy when the conditions are just right.
Depending on the type of pond that you have, there are a couple things that you can do. Koi will eat almost anything. They are like the hogs of the water world. I only feed my koi one time per week and they do pretty good clearing the wild growing plants in my backyard pond. Just be sure not to have the minnows in with the koi, because the koi fish will eat those too! Goats are also very good if the water is shallow. Then, there is always resorting to completely draining your pond, lining it, and starting over again.
Thanks for writing!
GARDEN BLESSINGS,
GAiL