Return to Master
Gardener News Releases .
Water gardens will attract beneficial creatures such as toads and garter snakes but they will also attract predators. Predators can be as common as the neighborhood cat or dog or they can be of the wild variety. Wild animals can wipe out entire fish populations in no time. Sometimes the type of fish you choose can aid in their survival.
If you are just starting out in water gardening, goldfish are the way to go. The two basic goldfish types are the “common” and the “comet”. The common goldfish is the original fish from which all the fancy varieties were developed. Comets are similar to the common, but the body is stretched, the fins are larger and the tail is deeply forked. The“shubunkin” is similar to the common goldfish in shape but has calico markings, a pale blue background flecked with red, blue and black. These three varieties are excellent swimmers and are very hardy.
The more exotic goldfish include the “fantail” which has a double tail and a heavy egg-shaped body, and the “veiltail” which has even longer fins and a longer tail that drapes down. The “Chinese black moor” and the “lionhead” are two varieties that you might also consider. The black moor is similar to the fantail but with a chunkier body and telescoping eyes. The lionhead has a raspberry like head growth and no dorsal fin which makes it an especially poor swimmer. Most of the exotic varieties are slow swimmers which makes them easier prey than the faster common or comets.
Another fish to consider is the “Japanese Koi” which is a descendant of the “common carp” which was used for food. Koi were first bred in Japan in the 1820’s from red and blue mutations.
These fish can be divided into single-color, two-color, three-color and multi-colored. The scales can be matt, metallic, heavily scaled or scaleless. A distinct feature of koi is the two pairs of barbels on the upper lip which look like whiskers and can help distinguish small koi from goldfish which have no barbels. Koi are quick swimmers and can grow up to 27 inches given the right conditions.
Fish eating birds can pose the greatest threat to fish in the garden pond. Great blue herons and cranes are two of the most common. They are highly mobile and adaptable predators and can quickly wipe out a fish population. Constructing a removable enclosure out of bird netting is the best deterrent. Make sure that the netting is stretched tightly above the water or you might net your fish.
Other visitors to your pond can also include foxes, skunks and racoons. One of the best ways to thwart these marauders is with an electric fence. A 3-wire fence with the wires spaced 6 inches,12 inches, and 18 inches above the ground can be an effective repellant. Having a pond depth of at least 24 inches and having plenty of hiding places for your fish will also help them from being a free lunch.
If you take measures now to protect your fish you can enjoy them for years to come! With the soothing sounds of running water and the visual delight of darting fish, it’s no wonder that backyard ponds have become one of the most popular and fastest growing hobbies in the country. Whether you have spent one hundred dollars or one thousand dollars on your pond, the pleasure you get back will be well worth the expense.
Water gardens will attract beneficial creatures such as toads and garter snakes but they will also attract predators. Predators can be as common as the neighborhood cat or dog or they can be of the wild variety. Wild animals can wipe out entire fish populations in no time. Sometimes the type of fish you choose can aid in their survival.
If you are just starting out in water gardening, goldfish are the way to go. The two basic goldfish types are the “common” and the “comet”. The common goldfish is the original fish from which all the fancy varieties were developed. Comets are similar to the common, but the body is stretched, the fins are larger and the tail is deeply forked. The“shubunkin” is similar to the common goldfish in shape but has calico markings, a pale blue background flecked with red, blue and black. These three varieties are excellent swimmers and are very hardy.
The more exotic goldfish include the “fantail” which has a double tail and a heavy egg-shaped body, and the “veiltail” which has even longer fins and a longer tail that drapes down. The “Chinese black moor” and the “lionhead” are two varieties that you might also consider. The black moor is similar to the fantail but with a chunkier body and telescoping eyes. The lionhead has a raspberry like head growth and no dorsal fin which makes it an especially poor swimmer. Most of the exotic varieties are slow swimmers which makes them easier prey than the faster common or comets.
Another fish to consider is the “Japanese Koi” which is a descendant of the “common carp” which was used for food. Koi were first bred in Japan in the 1820’s from red and blue mutations.
These fish can be divided into single-color, two-color, three-color and multi-colored. The scales can be matt, metallic, heavily scaled or scaleless. A distinct feature of koi is the two pairs of barbels on the upper lip which look like whiskers and can help distinguish small koi from goldfish which have no barbels. Koi are quick swimmers and can grow up to 27 inches given the right conditions.
Fish eating birds can pose the greatest threat to fish in the garden pond. Great blue herons and cranes are two of the most common. They are highly mobile and adaptable predators and can quickly wipe out a fish population. Constructing a removable enclosure out of bird netting is the best deterrent. Make sure that the netting is stretched tightly above the water or you might net your fish.
Other visitors to your pond can also include foxes, skunks and racoons. One of the best ways to thwart these marauders is with an electric fence. A 3-wire fence with the wires spaced 6 inches,12 inches, and 18 inches above the ground can be an effective repellant. Having a pond depth of at least 24 inches and having plenty of hiding places for your fish will also help them from being a free lunch.
If you take measures now to protect your fish you can enjoy them for years to come!
Q. Last year little green worms ate all my cabbage. What can I do this year?
A. You are probably describing the imported cabbageworm. In mid-spring the adults lay their eggs on plants in the mustard family, which include cabbage and broccoli. The larvae hatch in 3 to 5 days and begin to feed. Three generations can occur every growing season with infestations becoming worse later in the season. Bacillus thuringiensis is a biological control that is effective against the larvae. You can also use a strong spray of water to knock small caterpillars off the plants. Insecticides can also be used, but try to apply them before the caterpillars get too large and start to tunnel into the plants.
Q. Something seems to be chewing holes in the leaves of my plants , I’ve looked for caterpillars but all I’ve seen are bees.
A. They probably are bees called leafcutter bees that are a solitary bee. Each female rears her young using the pieces of cut leaf to construct nest cells. They will nest in soft, rotted wood or in the stems of pithy plants like roses where they cause little damage. Plants that they prefer include roses, green ash, lilac and Virginia creeper. Insecticides are not effective for controlling leaf cutting. Covering plants with cheesecloth is the only known control to use when leafcutter bees are most active.
Speed up the action in your compost by shredding materials such as leaves and grass clippings and cutting up kitchen scraps before you ad them to the pile. Turn the pile often and don’t forget to keep your compost moist.
Roses are beautiful this year. When you deadhead or cut them for bouquets, make the cut to a five-leaflet leaf to promote growth and re-blooming.
When spring crops stop producing, remove the plant materials immediately and clean up all dead material. Don’t leave them around for insects to find them and hide.
This summer appears to be hotter than usual with less precipitation. Mulch your gardens to reduce watering and weeding. Many materials are appropriate for use as mulch such as bark mulch or grass clippings. Do not use grass clippings if the grass was treated for weeds.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available on-line or at the at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
Return to Master
Gardener News Releases .