E-News from
www.PondDoc.com
- Winter 2007 -
A Way You Can Help Us... ...While Helping Yourself!
During winter our business slows down -- as you know the pond business is seasonal! That's why I've spent the better part of a month adding new product to our Home and Garden section and Peggy's Personalized Products. We have some really wonderful items - many engraved, printed, embroidered or monogrammed with your own choice of words or phrases - items that aren't found at Walmart or Target or any of those kinds of stores.
How can you help us? Shop at Pond Doc's Home and Garden and Peggy's Personalized Products for the holidays! How will that help you? You get a discount. Just enter this code: HOL2007 into the special instructions box on the online order form or just tell me you read about it through the newsletter and you will receive 15% off any of our products, including pond products, right up through Christmas Eve.
What's Up, Doc?
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© copyright 2007,
PondDoc.com
Peggy Ferguson, Editor
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Peggy's Direct Phone: (404) 375-9600
Cecil "The Pond Doc": (770) 663-6325
Fax: (706) 864-7290
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The only thing this discount won't apply to is Meyda Tiffany items and any products on Clearance or Sale -- and those items are clearly marked. If you plan to shop online for the holidays why not visit Pond Doc's Home and Garden and Peggy's Personalized Products? Here's the address to Pond Doc's Home and Garden: http://www.Ponddoc.com/HG/MainHG.htm. Here's the address to Peggy's Personalized Products: http://www.PondDoc.com/ppp/index.htm.
One last "little" detail... Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to all of you! May your New Year be filled with nothing but wonderful surprises.
~ Peggy
What's Up, Doc?
-
Water Shortages and Your Koi Pond
The drought here in Georgia is weighing heavily on us. Many customers have asked us if they can use any water in the pond. I have revised a previous article written in 2000 when we were under restrictions to reflect the changes with the complete water bans in effect. Read it here: http://www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/General/WaterRestrict.htm
I have to do all the Christmas shopping at my house so I know how hard it is to find a gift for all the people on my shopping list. As I post new items up on our websites I notice that some are especially suited for Mom or Dad, a best friend or office co-worker, a student or child, etc. I have created a new Gift Selection Section that lists products on our websites by 4 different ways -- for WHOM the gift is intended, by hobby or interest, by special occasion or holiday, and by price. Try it out and let me know if it helps you and if there is anything I can do to improve on it. Here's the address to our Gift Selection Section: http://www.ponddoc.com/HG/Gifts/Gifts.htm.
- Quick and Personal!
I am guilty of waiting until the last minute to buy a gift so I know how important it is to find an item that I can get right away. The normal turn-around time for many of our personalized products is between 2 and 3 business days. Many of them also offer a rush service to get them out within 36 hours (basically a business day) of the order being placed. That's the beauty of it -- you can still procrastinate a little and, because the gift is personalized, the recipient will think you planned it far in advance! Here's the address to Peggy's Personalized Products: http://www.PondDoc.com/ppp/index.htm.
Seasonal Check List
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful..." -- well, not so much here in Georgia, but it is cold. This year a warm winter is predicted but that won't stop cold spells and winter ice and snow from falling. There's very little to do with the pond during the coldest times in winter but there are a few things that you can do to help tide the fish and plants over until early spring.
- Stop feeding the fish anything at all when the water temp goes down to 50 degrees and stays there.
- If you can -- take off the UV unit from your system and store it inside the garage for the winter. If that's not possible, at least protect the sleeve and lamp from the weather by removing the glass parts and drain all water out of the unit.
- Don't re-circulate the bottom waters of the pond and subject it to "super cooling". When the water temperature gets down to 50 degrees raise your submersible pump up to a plant shelf to re-circulate only the top water, re-route your plumbing to draw only from the skimmer or turn off the pump during the winter.
- If the pond freezes over for more than a couple of days, use a de-icer to keep a hole in the ice so gasses can escape. Do NOT crack the ice with a hammer. There's a really cool heated birdbath / de-icer combo for those who want to provide winter water for wild birds.
- If the fish seem to be very still in the water - that's fine. They go into a kind of hibernation and will not be active until the water starts warming back up.
- Stop fertilizing plants and cut away dead leaves as they brown out, leaving only stubs above the water line.
- You can turn off the pump and close the pond during the winter. As long as the fish are healthy they do not need water circulation or filtration when it's cold. If your pump is external, drain the pump before turning it off.
Recommended Reading
Read up on winterizing the pond! Any of these articles will provide timely information for winter care of the pond and your outdoor environment:
- UPDATED! Preparing for the Plunge
- Cool Weather Questions & Answers
- Pond Heaters...Use Them Wisely
- Protect Your (Pond Equipment and Koi) Investment from Old Man Winter
- UV Protection for Winter (Ultra Violet Water Clarifier Units)
- The Doc's Prescription - Winter Comfort for Your Koi
- Winter & the World Outside the Window
Still Not Smoking
An update for those who are in shock
after hearing that Pond Doc quit smoking. He's still on the wagon!
- It's a PERSONALIZED Family Christmas!
Perfect Christmas gifts for the whole family, these colorful, cheerful photo frames, ornaments, plaques and coaster sets are personalized with the family name and year to make the gift more personable! They only take 2 to 3 business days to ship and rush services are available. Find them at: http://www.PondDoc.com/ppp/Holidays/Holidays.htm
Looking Forward to the Next Issue
The next What's Up, Doc? should come out in February - just about time for the pond to begin coming back to life. Until then, have a safe and comfortable winter and come see us often at PondDoc.com!
©copyright 2007, PondDoc.com. All rights reserved.