Soil and Water FAQs

Why is my pond brown and/or smelly?

 Your pond may be experiencing a turnover; a common, and necessary, process ponds go through. This occurs seasonally when changes in temperature occurs, such as cooler temps in the fall and warming temperature in the spring. The water at the bottom of the pond mixes with the water at the top of the pond. This can result in discoloration, fish kill, and even unpleasant odors.

Why are my fish dying? 

Fish kills are often a result of pond turnover. This can cause the oxygen levels on the upper layer to decrease, depleting fish of oxygen and therefore causing the fish kill. There could also be an algal bloom occurring in your pond, which also depletes oxygen to fish and other organisms. A common way to ensure your pond receives adequate oxygen is to install an aeration device such as a subsurface diffuser, fountain, or air pump. If you’re experiencing frequent fish kills, call the office to request a pond assessment!  -

Why do I have so many weeds?

 We want to start off by saying that vegetation, whether in/on the water or on the bank, are not always bad for your pond! They provide habitat for fish and other organisms, soil stabilization, and nutrient uptake. However, sometimes too much is too much! Excessive plant growth is a sign that your pond has high nutrient levels. These higher nutrient levels cause increased plant growth and algae growth. In turn, these can cause other problems such as fish kills. The nutrients can come from surrounding land, such as fertilizer, erosion, sewer leaks, improper septic tank functions, decomposing leaf litter, and animal waste. If your pond is stream fed, the nutrients could also be coming from upstream. Common treatments include using pond dye to reduce photosynthesis of aquatic vegetation, physically removing plants, dredging the pond (removes built up organic matter at the bottom), adding oxygen to your water (fountain, air pump, etc.), and stocking appropriate fish to your pond. Need help? Give us a call!

My property is experiencing flooding 

Has your property experienced new or on-going flooding? There’re a few common possibilities as to why this is occurring. In recent years, we’ve noticed an increase in flooding events and concerns expressed by landowners. New flooding occurrences are commonly related to our changing climate. We have been experiencing more frequent heavy rainfall events, sometimes more than our area can handle in small bursts. This causes ditches and streams to overtop or back up, resulting in standing water in places not seen before or that are more extreme than previous years. If you’re experiencing flooding not near a stream or ditch, it could be caused by the decline in tree species (think of our Ash trees!). If a wooded lot loses sections of trees due to disease or pest, those trees are no longer absorbing the water that runs through the area. As a result, more water is available to drain downslope or pool in certain areas. If the flooding your experiencing is of concern to your property or if your curious to know how to improve the drainage, give us a call to schedule an assessment!

What tree species are deer resistant?

It’s difficult to pinpoint exact tree and shrub species that deer won’t eat…they are persistent! However, there are a few species that are known to be more deer resistant than others. Boxwoods, Barberry, Forsythia, Lilacs, False Cypress, Juniper, Ginkgo, Spruces (Norway, Colorado Blue, White, etc.), River Birch, Larch, Red Cedar, and Sycamore are known to be less appetizing to deer. You can also plant seedlings with tree tubes to promote their growth without being eaten or you can protect established shrubs with wraps or burlap! 

When is the yearly Tree & Shrub Sale?

The newsletter is emailed first in January with the mailed copy shortly  after.  Pick up is usually held in April.