Hardy water lilies grow horizontally (across the planting container). Use a three gallon container or larger. Because hardy water lilies grow horizontally, a wider pot is preferred to a tall and narrow one. I like to use hanging baskets, they are the right shape and the hook makes it easier to lower or raise the pot for fertilizing. Once in position the hook can be tucked under the rim out of sight. Use a good heavy loam/clay soil. Plant the lily with the end furthest from the point leaves are growing from against one side of the container so the lily will grow across the planting container. Firm the soil around the rhizome leaving the crown exposed. Add a layer of gravel to help keep soil in place. Carefully lower the finished planting into the pool to approximately six inches of water over the top of the pot. This depth can be increased to no more than 12 inches once the plant is established. For Winter care lower pots to bottom of pool until Spring. Fertilize with water plant tabs on a regular basis after flush of new growth and plants have broken dormancy.

^{Feeding Pond-Fish in the colder months}.

Fall is here and the water temperature in the pond is dropping quickly, so it is time getting your fish ready for the winter.

It is important to have your fish in their best condition before they go in hibernation during the cold months. We had a long winter last year here at the coast and some of the fish just ran out of reserve energy this spring and died.

The feeding of fish is dependent on the water temperature so a pond thermometer is a small investment to determine how much and what to feed your fish.

Between  10 -15 C. Feed  a wheat-germ based diet not more than two times a day in small amounts, all food should be eaten quickly . Keep in mind that the bacteria in your pond are also slowing down so it is harder to get rid of excess nutrients.

Between 5-10 C. Feed no more than 2-3 times a week if your fish are active.  Give no more than they can finish in a minute.

Below 5C. Do not feed your fish and let them hibernate for the winter. At lower temperatures fish cannot digest the food and it may actually harm them to have food in their stomach.