BonniesPlants.com

I recently dug a very large pond - 60 x 175 feet as part of our new house project. We are located on the eastern shore of Virginia.
We've made it three levels in depth, 12 ft, 7 ft, and 2 ft deep to accomodate diving ducks (7ft) and tipping ducks (2 ft) and the deeper part for larger fish.

Now I need to populate the pond with both vegetation and fish and I'm finding that I have no idea what plants will be best. I would like some reedy types and some floating types. I just purchased a few water lilies but I'm not even sure what depth to plant them.

I have no idea where to get the fingerling fish, searching the internet hasn't helped here. We want sport fish so the grandkids can catch them - bass, bluegill and of course catfish.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jean

Hi Jean welcome to the forum hopfully this link will get you to where you need to go for the types of fish you want my friend uses this person. http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/fish_types.htm they have blue gills etc... nice pond we would love to see a picture of it.

Laura - Thanks for the info. I'm not sure Dunns ships to Virginia but I've emailed them to ask.

I will try to post pictures soon. Pond looks pretty bare right now.

There are only a few plants you will be able to use.

Floating plants - most will be treated as annuals because they will die with frost/freezing temperatures.

Deep water plants - hardy water lilies. In VA you can probably get by as I do in NC at 3' maximum depth. Do not try this in lower zones as the water takes too long to warm up in the spring.

Lily-like-aquatics - maximum depth 2'

Even the shallow part of your pond will not accommodate bog plants like cattails etc.

You can and will need to add oxygenators - maximum depth is about 3 to 4'

The type of plants I highlighted in bold can be found on my main site, just type the name into the search box.

Bonnie

Bonnie, Thank you for the info.

Am I correct in thinking most plants should be installed in the spring? Or should I install the oxygenators now? Do you ship all year?

Also, should the pots for the hardy lilys have holes in them?

Thanks

Jean

We ship all year around.

You can and should add the submersed plants now to help keep the water clean and clear.

Wait until spring for the other plants.

Use pots with drainage holes.

Bonnie