I live in the upper section of zone 9, and freezes and cold weather
usually is not a problem, however I am not willing to take any chances
on all the aquatic plants we have bought this year and have a freak
freeze etc wipe em out. So I need to make plans to house some of them
so I have starter stock for next year if need be, and if they are not
needed, I can use this "winterized stock" to propagate more areas
around the larger pond.

We do not have basements in this area of the ountry (water table way
to high) and my garage is my shop where I do a lot of metal working
etc and it just not possible to utilize it for a winter house for the
plants. There is absolutely no place in our house that is suitable
either. I do have 3 of the 4' diam kiddie pools typical of those
that Wal MArt sells, and a natural pond which when y ou get right
down to it, is not going to freese, or at the most just get a very
thin coat of ice for a day or two if, and even that would be a
rarity.

So my plan is:
1. Put plants in water in the kiddie pool and make a shelter out of
plastic sheeting, uncover when the days are nice and leave open for
the times it may be frosts anticipated or a cold snap. Leave tubs
outside on the south side of garden area. Use the plastic to keep cold
air and frost off them, and plastic to keep in heat from the sun. Open
periodically for an o2/ co2 exchange.

2. Put plants in plastic pools and put pools inside one of my outside
sheds, and hang a grow light and possibly a heat lamp for any
anticipated cold snaps.

3. Just put any containerized plants in about 1 or 2 feet of water
over their crowns in the natural pond and let them over winter there.

4.any other ideas or suggestions appreciated.

I have some nice huge snails (white colored) which I am told will not
make it even in this area, so they will be put in the wifes Betta tank
or a 5 gal bucket in the house out of the way, with maybe a plant or
two at most, and even that will be a tough fit.

Plants in question are arrowhead, hornwart, duck week & fairy moss,
sensitive fern (Touch me Plant), parrots feather, miniature cat tails,
aponogene (sp?), ribbon grass (strawberries and creame) Pickerel reed,
Thalia, and Bog bean. I know I could have planted the later two into
ther soil in the pond area, but I wanted to keep them out for now
since I just got them and then come spring divide them and put them
where I hope to establish them permanently, as I may make a few
changes around the pond this winter.

All water lillies in pots will be placed in the large pond in about 2
feet of water.

Suggestions or info appreciated.





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