Canadian Pond Newsletter July 2005 Issue: 8 Vol: 1
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Deep in the Pond
By Christina Ishoj

This past summer I have had the unexpected pleasure of working in ponds. Being part of this team of pond crazy people is great fun, but nothing close to the pleasure I get from sweating it out, alone, inside a pond. I plant indigeneous aquatic plants for our company Ecodesign Akwatec. The act of preparing to plant involves many stages, the final one being my favourite.

Putting on the wading overalls.

These rubber pants with booties, smell. They smell of sweat, of pond guck, of basement mold. Disgusting, yes, but a smell I now associate with inner calm, tranquillity and a growing connection to water nature.

In the cool morning I slip on the dry boots and gently enter the pond. Aaaah! The effect is like a Yoga session. After lunch on a hot sunny day the pants are wet and sticky. I enter the water and feel cool as the suction action of the rubber against my legs, coupled with the sweat from earlier, connects with my skin. Somehow it feels healthy, like a saran wrap moisture treatment, even though I have never had one. When I work in the rain, the pants keep my dry, and of course, feeling cozy.

I know I`m onto something, this planting in water wearing stinky gear. Of all the crazy jobs I`ve had, this one is by far the best.

Being alone in the pond isn`t actually true. Invariably, within several minutes of planting potederia cordata or carex lurida, I sense a visitor. Last week on Wednesday when I planted all day in the rain, a gorgeous frog followed me around the shoreline, checking me out, making sure what I was doing was acceptable. The week before in another pond I was being watched by a school of small mouthed bass. They were with me for over two hours, as I worked steadily, altering their environment. When I left, they moved right in, exploring the green shoots I had just planted. Like running into the kids section of Ontario Place, where all the hanging stuffed vinyl cylinders swayed around you as you tried to escape parents and siblings. Can I say these critters are curious? Can I say they are having fun?


The first plant I ever planted in water was immediately chosen as a resting spot for a damselfly. Nature wastes no time. Of course, you don`t need the water pants to enjoy the pond. When I plant without them, the leeches keep me company too!

From Christina Ishoj
If you have thoughts or stories about your edventures with your pond we'd love to hear them and publish them in our gazette. Contact David

See you at the Fair!
The 149th annual Brome Fair is coming September 2, 3, 4 & 5 and once again we'll be there to demonstrate the products we use and share information about
keeping ponds, lakes and water gardens healthy and thriving.

You'll find us in the center of the racetrack and just as last year we'll have our windmill set up so you can find us easily.

There are over 50,000 visitors who come to the Brome Fair every year and it is a wonderful chance to see a wide variety of animals, an amusement park, monster trucks and live entertainment and for the whole family.

For more information on the Brome Fair go to their web site. If you have never been to the EAstern Townships of Quebéc in Canada it is an ideal time to come and see why we have chosen to make this friendly and beautiful part of the country home. If you are a regular at the Brome Fair then we look forward to seeing you again!

New from AquaMaster®

CanadianPond.ca Products Ltd. is pleased to announce that we have been chosen to be official Canadian dealer's of the AquaMaster® line of quality products which includes some of the most stunning spray patterns on the market today.

The American-made AquaMaster® series of fountains range from 1/2 HP to 25HP with over 30 different spray patterns.

We are proud to have been chosen by AquaMaster® to offer sales and service for their products. If you have been thinking of adding a fountain to your small water garden or large lake or golf course or municpal park then we strongly urge you to take a close look at the AquaMaster® line of fountains. These fountains come with a warranty that is up to 3 years and have one of the longest no-hassle guarantees in the business. ANother nice feature of these fountains is that once you have the base model, which comes with control panel, screens and mooring cords, you can simply add a different nozzle to completely change the look of your fountain. How's that for versatility!

Feel free to look at these and our other fountain models on our Fountains Page. We're sure you'll find something within your budget that will add a special sparkle to your pond.

Thanks again for reading and we'll see you next month.