Elemer Lado

Reminder set

I promised pictures about my pond with ducks. I realized that I didn't document it as much as i wanted to.

The pond is very simple, rectangular shape on a slope, the backhoe took some soil and dumped it on the downhill side. No compaction of the dam whatsoever.

I leveled the top by hand, and tried to fill it. The soil is mostly clay, so it held to the limit of the undisturbed soil level, but water went right through the dam. I did bring around a ton of clay in to help with it and spread it on the bottom and sides, but never got to at least smear it on the surface, I just threw it in. Of course it didn't help at all. and then...

... these guys came. They were my first ducks, I didn't know much about how to keep them. But I knew they loved water. They ran right into it, and only left it in the evening.

I didn't find any later pictures, but they were in the pond the whole summer and autumn. It now holds more water by 30 cm, the water surface doubled. Keep in mind that the dam was a loose pile of earth. I am entirely satisfied with the result, if I'll have the opportunity, I will use ducks for other ponds as well.
We already culled 4 of the 10 animals, I felt very sorry for them, but they are really delicious..

Do you think that reinforcing the walls with stone would be a viable option? I didn't realize what they'd do once the water level got higher.

Also, this is a picture from today; the little puddle at the bottom has been staying full each day, so it looks promising thus far.

Yes, stones work for keeping the walls intact and they look very nice. Some issues:
- will the pond seal with the gaps between the rocks? (if you have clay soil, I would say yes)
- will it add too much to evaporation? (stone heats up in the sun and keeps warm even after sundown)

You should always have at least one side of a pond not too steep, so your ducks or anything/anyone falling in can have an easy way out. And so animals can go there to drink.

Your puddle really looks promising, if you don't let it dry out, it will grow quickly.

P. S. You've got some lovely ducks, they seem determined to get that pond full

Tracy Wandling wrote: If their water is kept in a tub, they won't do their sealing work on the pond.

You are absolutely right. The water goes on the bottom of the pond, the ducks go in the water.
No matter where you feed them, it's in their nature to "filter" the mud on the edge of the water mith their beaks.

And those banks you've created without reinforcement? they will be gone. The ducks will level them out..
I read in a book that more than 6 ducks per acre of water will destroy the perimeter because of this.

I do have a small pond that my ducks sealed in a year, and they did a great job, but if I want that pond to be more than a mudbath, I have to restrict their access.. I will post some pictures and info of that pond
.

Levente Andras wrote:Hello Elemér !

Judging from the dark rich soil under your greenhouse, the style of your outbuildings, and the cold weather, you must be in Hargita County. I'm guessing Csík ...

Question: why did you decide to build the greenhouse frame using metal?  Did you consider using wood ?

Hello András!

Your guess is right on spot.

Well, about the metal..

I don't know how much time an untreated wood frame would have lasted (the polycarbonate panels have a 10 year warranty, and hopefully a longer lifetime)

there is already enough poison without that treated wood

earth berming means additional moisture

a wooden frame would need additional support, like posts inside the greenhouse

I am no carpenter

Jay Stegman wrote:
Anyway, this was far from perfect and yours is absolutely gorgeous with the rocks, but maybe gives some ideas for future projects !

Thank You Jay. I am still experimenting..

You did a great job with yours, I'm sorry it got destroyed. I hope you can build the next one soon.

Mike Schroer wrote:Comment on sealing the joints.  I have read that the cheapest and easiest way to seal the joints is to cut another sheet of the polycarbonate material into 3 - 4" strips (7 - 10 cm) and screw that in on top of the seams.  It  makes a pretty tight joint and routes the water off the joint.  You might see if this would work on your application.

I do have leftover strips of it, so I might just use them around the doors and edges.. Thank You for the great idea.

Pamela Smith wrote:Love the soil that got dug out of there. It looked so beautiful. Your greenhouse looks wonderful.

Thank You very much.

Pamela Smith wrote:I would build beds about 2-3 feet high. The cold tends to sink to the bottom. It will allow cold to settle to the floor leaving the bed warmer. If you put in planks in the alley way slightly above floor level it might allow the cold to settle under the planks. Making the whole greenhouse feel warmer.

My beds are just 20 cm (~8 in) high right now (i hope to rise it with organic matter). But I do have the space for the plank thing. It seems like a very good idea.

Pamela Smith wrote:I would also use what I call bubble pack or polydress. It acts as an insulator and light disperses more evenly. Well worth the investment.It also means plastic is replaced less often and over time pays for itself. Here is a Canadian company that sells it.
http://growtech.ca/ These guys are in Manitoba and they grow strawberries in their greenhouse.

I believe with the polydress and beds you can raise the temperature to an acceptable level to grow cool weather crops and maybe others as well. Start warming climate seedlings way earlier anyway.

I know I have a lot of work to do with insulating the structure. But this is the first season, and I am very curious about the heat retaining capacity of the rocks.. We will see in September.

Mike Jay wrote:That black dirt and the rock wall are beautiful!

Thank You Jay!

Mike Jay wrote:Have you considered the trade-offs of insulating the North roof instead of using the polycarbonate panels?  I'm not sure how much sunlight you receive through it versus the heat loss all night long.

This was the best I could imagine for a roof (I'm not a professional, and this was my first). I wanted to have a high roof with lots of air space. I was thinking about covering that northern part with something during winter months, but I'm not sure. I might be better off keeping the hens in there. Last winter they didn't stop laying at all!

Heidi Hoff wrote:Hi Elemer,

While I'm in total admiration of the greenhouse (which I'm sure will gain a lot of seasonal heat this summer and be more clement next winter), what I feel most is pure envy for the deep black soil in your first photo!!! Someone has been doing something very right on your land!

Hi there Heidi, thank You

It may seem like the soil is great, but in reality it is mostly clay. It forms very hard clumps when dry.