How does your garden grow? A number of our local neighborhoods are built on clay-rich, nutrient-poor soils and are often subject to high salt contents and high pH. One of the best ways to improve your garden is to amend your soil. This means adding materials that will improve water and nutrient retention and permeability as well as drainage and structure. Whether you choose grass clippings or sphagnum peat or vermiculite (to name just a few of the options) the point is to create the best environment for your plants to root into.
Why do ponds and water features need to be cleaned? Water features in the landscape build up organic materials and detritus over time by biological processes and wind transport. Fish food, sunlight, dust, and whatever else gets into the pond, all add to the load of the pond’s biological system. Materials can remain suspended in the water or settle to the bottom. When materials settle to the bottom they often fill in the gravel with organics leading to decay of these materials and if there are enough present anaerobic conditions at the bottom of the water feature.
