Earth Works offers these koi handling tips for beginners interested in protecting the health of one of the most popular fish available for ponds and water gardens.
Introduction: What is a Koi Fish?
Koi fish are a type of ornamental carp bred primarily for their colors, patterns, size, shape, and, most importantly, their friendly nature. They have been selectively bred over centuries, first in China and then most significantly in Japan. Koi are also known in Japan as Nishikigoi, “living jewels”. Grand Champion koi at the annual All Japan Koi Show are valued at more than a million dollars. Worldwide koi fish are mostly kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds or water gardens growing up to four feet long in optimum growing conditions. The oldest known koi, Hanako, was hatched in 1751 and died in 1977, making her a whopping 226 years old! Learn more about Hanako.
Improper koi handling can result in koi stress, injury, or death.
Large Koi Handling Tips Step by Step
If you don’t have specialized equipment such as sock nets to evenly support the weight of large koi, consider these tips to protect your koi from injury.
-Remove all jewelry that might scratch or otherwise injure the fish before attempting to pick up and carry.
-Wash your hands and wet with dechlorinated water or the water the koi are being removed from before touching the koi to protect their slime coat.
-Net fish when possible to reduce thrashing that can cause physical damage and increase fish stress that invites infections. Avoid rapid or erratic movements with the net to keep the koi calm and reduce the chance of jumping.
-When lifting large koi support their underbelly to avoid internal organ damage, especially in the case of large round-bellied females (large males have elongated torpedo-shaped).
-After safely moving the koi, you can supplement aeration to increase oxygen saturation in their holding tank or a new location to assist in calming the fish and reducing stress. There are also products like ‘Stress Coat’ that condition the water helping koi more rapidly replace any lost slime coat and heal wounds.
Visit the Earth Works Garden Center that stocks koi, goldfish, plecostomus, and supplies for all your koi, pond, and water garden needs.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping need, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online and at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Start Draining the Pond – An inexpensive pump or a sump pump is sufficient. Be sure you save some of the pond water to fill a container with for the fish.
Disconnect the Circulation System – This will allow the water in the plumbing to drain out.
Catch the Fish – Drain the pond down to the lowest shelf to catch fish easily and safely.
Remove Debris – Remove the large debris like leaves and twigs once the pond is drained.
Wash the Pond – A 1500 psi pressure washer or a high-pressure nozzle on a garden hose is recommended for pond cleaning.
Rinse the Pond – Rinse the pond from top to bottom with a garden hose without the high-pressure nozzle, as it continues to pump it out.
Clean the Fiters – Spray the filtration media until relatively clean and rinse down the inside of the filter units.
Refill the Pond – Pull the clean-out pump out and refill the pond.
De-Chlorinate the Water – Most city water contains chlorine and chloramine and requires treatment with a de-chlorinator before introducing fish.
Reintroduce the Fish – To properly acclimate your fish, you’ll want to put them in the pond as soon as the water is high enough for them to swim. Then slowly continue to add water to original levels. In extreme cold weather you may want to put fish with old pond water in a container to float in the pond allowing the water temperature to even out slowly.
For your quote to schedule your pond clean-out service and for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping need, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Northeast Florida has a strong tradition of celebrating Florida Arbor Day, which was established in 1886 only one year after Sterling Morton established the first Arbor Day in Nebraska. Florida Arbor Day is fairly easy to remember coming on the third Friday of January since 1886. Arbor Day was famous throughout the country early on. Forty-five states and territories were on board with their own version of Arbor Day by 1920. National Arbor Day was established in 1970 by President Nixon, with the annual event commemorated on the last Friday of April.
Northeast Florida cities and county governments celebrate Arbor Day on dates separate from those established by the state and nation. The City of Jacksonville Arbor Day date is up to the mayor’s discretion each year without one currently set for 2022. The three prior dates were November 13, 2021, March 28, 2020, and April 26, 2019.
Morton loved trees planting many on his property, currently designated as Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska. “Each generation takes the earth as trustees, Morton said. “We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed.” His older son Joy Morton founded the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, preserving 735 acres for trees by his passing in 1934. Their legacy of tree protection is continued in your own tree planting and care in celebration of Arbor Day.
“Florida celebrates Arbor Day in January because many trees are dormant (not actively growing) and lose less water through transpiration (evaporation of water from leaves) this time of year, making them easier to transplant without putting them through too much stress,” according to the University of Florida.
Which tree(s) are you thinking of planting? Earth Works of Jacksonville has available for purchasing Live Oaks, Red Maple, Japanese Maple, St Lukes Plum, Eagleston Holly, Schilling Holly, Brodie Juniper, Blue Point Junipers, Sabal Palms, the Florida State tree along with many other palm varieties, and all the required soil and soil amendments to help your Arbor Day tree planting success. Each year Earth Works of Jacksonville provides an Arbor Day tree planting for a local charity with the Sanctuary on 8th Street being our 2021 recipient. Another charity tree planting is planned for the Florida Arbor Day 2022.
The Arbor Day Foundation promotes a wide variety of evergreen shrubs, flowering trees, fruit trees, ornamentals, nut-bearing trees, and shade trees. And there is no one tree recommended for planting on Florida Arbor Day. “The 1953 Florida legislature designated the sabal palm as the state tree, and the 1970 legislature mandated that the sabal palm should replace the cocoa palm on the state seal,” according to MyFlorida.com. “The sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) is the most widely distributed palm in Florida. It grows in almost any soil and has many uses, including food, medicine, and landscaping.”
“Before you plant, know what your tree needs for soil type, space for the canapy and room for the roots,” wrote Ginny Stibolt, of the Florida Native Plant Society. “Plan ahead for its mature size so pruning can be minimized and also plant compatible understory trees and shrubs to form a pleasant grove that may mimic what might have grown there before the invasion of the most invasive species–us.”
Northeast Florida cities, counties, and businesses host a variety of Florida Arbor Day events, including tree giveaways.
Jacksonville: The city of Jacksonville coordinates with Greenscape of Jacksonville who typically schedules a tree giveaway on Jacksonville Arbor Day, a date that’s yet to be determined for 2022. Jacksonville has been a Tree City USA recipient for 24 years. No 2022 Florida Arbor Day events scheduled.
City of Atlantic Beach: “The City of Atlantic Beach welcomes you to celebrate Arbor Day with us on Friday, January 21, according to COAB.com. “Our festivities will begin in front of the police station at 9 a.m. with opening remarks and a flag-raising by the mayor and the Environmental Stewardship Committee members. If you can’t attend in person, you can watch us on Facebook Live. At 9:45 a.m., we’ll meet at Dutton Island for our Heritage Tree dedication, and then we are planting a tree in each Commission district.” Atlantic Beach also announced in December 2021 the availability of funds for an Adopt-a-Tree program for any resident to apply to receive a free tree to plant in their Atlantic Beach front yard. “In the past, Atlantic Beach has been recognized as a Tree City USA in 1992-1995, 2001-2002 and 2015,” according to Jacksonville.com. “The designation is for the Arbor Day Foundation to help cities across the US manage and expand its tree canopy.”
City of Jacksonville Beach:Jacksonville Beach has had a Tree City USA designation for 34 years. No 2022 Florida Arbor Day events scheduled.
City of Neptune Beach: “Neptune Beach has been named a Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 19th year,” according to the City of Neptune Beach. That designation has continued now for twenty years. No 2022 Florida Arbor Day events are scheduled.
City of Fernandina Beach: “The City of Fernandina Beach has received its 19th year (2021) of national recognition as a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation,” according to the Fernandina Observer. “This represents the City’s continued commitment honoring community forestry.” Keep Nassau Beautiful for several years now has celebrated Florida Arbor Day by hosting an Adopt-A-Tree program, which due to Covid, was a drive-through event in 2021.
“We will be planting 1 Red Maple, 1 Bald Cyprus, and 1 River Birch at Egan’s Creek Park on Friday (1/21/2022) at 9:30 a.m.” notes David Neville, Urban Forester with City of Fernandina Beach. “These trees will be planted to Honor 3 County Employees for their help in our achievement of the Growth Award (our first time receiving this award). These trees will be planted by Liberty Landscape and are 30-gallon trees. Along with these trees, we will also be planting 4 smaller Bald Cyprus trees from a grant we received through Jim Tootle. This will be at Egan’s Creek Park as well. We will be planting these trees ourselves also around 9:30.”
Clay County: The Garden Club of Green Cove Springs, in Clay County has been planting trees to celebrate Florida Arbor Day. In 2020 they planted trees at the Clay County historical Triangle. In 2019 they planted an Arizona Blue Ice Cypress at the Green Cove Springs Library in memory of Norma Jones. The City of Green Cove Springs will read a proclamation honoring the work of the Garden Club on this year’s Florida Arbor Day.
Town of Orange Park: “You are cordially invited to attend an Arbor Day program and presentation on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 11 A.M. at the Kingsley East River Overlook,” according to the Town of Orange Park. “The 41st annual Tree City USA Flag will be presented to the Town. In addition, the Town of Orange Park will be planting a Sable Palm Tree, in memory of former Mayor Steve Howard, who passed away last year.”
St Johns County: According to the St Johns County Board of County Commissioners, “To celebrate Arbor Day, the St. Johns County UF/IFAS Extension Office Master Gardeners program will be giving away free tree seedlings at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 19 at the following locations: •Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library – 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach •Southeast Branch Library – 6670 US 1 South, St. Augustine •Bartram Trail Branch Library – 60 Davis Pond Blvd., St. Augustine •Hastings Branch Library – 6195 South Main St., Hastings •Publix at Murabella – 84 Tuscan Way, St. Augustine Available tree species include red buckeye, wild black cherry, redbud, beautyberry, southern red cedar, elderberry, arrowwood viburnum, and sycamore. For more information, please call 904.209.0430.”
If you know of additional Florida Arbor Day activities in Northeast Florida that our community should know about send information to [email protected] for inclusion in this article.
Earth Works celebrates the 2022 Florida Arbor Day with Dana Doody, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens planting a loquat tree to memorialize the 136 years of Florida Arbor Day.
For comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping need, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Consider these tips for new landscape watering as these plant requirements vary from those already established in the lawn and garden. Even the healthiest trees, shrubs, and flowers planted in ideal circumstances need substantial time, care, and proper irrigation to become established in the landscape. Regular irrigation in the month after planting ensures the plants remain healthy and attractive as they establish. The time it takes for a nursery-grown tree to become established ranges from 4 to 15 months, depending on trunk size. Even a three-gallon shrub can take as long as seven months to take hold. Remember, these plants were watered daily, some twice a day in the nursery.
New Landscape Watering Guidelines for New Plants
Frequency and the amount of water are essential factors in establishing plants. A typical automatic overhead irrigation system is not sufficient. Generally, your new landscaping will need an extra consistent drip system or hand watering to ensure long-term success.
The following Guidelines Will Need To Be Adjusted For Variables:
One-gallon plants: Gently hand-water daily for at least two weeks (less in rainy or cool seasons), gradually tapering off to every other day, then three times a week through the first month (2-3 months in summer). Flowers will require regular watering throughout the warm season. Container plantings will need a drip system or hand watering indefinitely.
Three-gallon shrubs: Apply at least one gallon of water directly to the root ball every other day for the first two weeks; tapering off to twice a week for the first three months (longer if in summer or drought conditions). Use of regular overhead irrigation will be sufficient after that.
Larger shrubs (15 gallon+) and trees 2″-4″ diameter: Be sure the water runs long enough to soak the entire root ball. Place your hose at the base of your shrubs or trees slowly for 10-15 minutes each. Do this daily for at least one month, then every other day for the following month (2 months June-September). Continue hand watering twice a week for the next three months, then weekly until established.
Extra-large trees (4″+ diameter trunk): Drip or hand water daily for six weeks. Continue every other day for the next five months, then weekly until established (at least 15 months).
Reason to Water Less:
-Heavy or consistent rain.
-Damp soil conditions.
-Deep shade.
-Drought tolerant plants (still need some water to establish).
“Avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m,” according to the University of Florida. “A significant amount of irrigation will be lost to evaporation when watering with overhead irrigation during the heat of the day. Check with your municipality and water management district for the latest watering restrictions.
While we strongly encourage water conservation, extra water is required to establish your new landscape successfully. If your county has watering restrictions take note of any allowances for extra watering and hand watering to establish new plants. “Exceptions under certain circumstances are allowed (such as using a hand-held irrigation tool, micro-irrigation systems, maintenance, and repair or watering to establish new landscaping,” according to the City of Jacksonville.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Visit us or for specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact us online or give us a call at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
With La Nina bringing warm winter weather conditions to Northeast Florida our lawns and gardens are likely to experience more pests earlier in the season. Ants, aphids, chinch bugs, grubs, mole crickets, mosquitos, sod webworms, termites, and wood-boring beetles, may all arrive and reproduce early this year. “Warm means that insects could become active sooner,” said Eileen Buss, a University of Florida associate professor of entomology. The warmer winters essentially act as an alarm clock for plants and bugs, which spring into action, Buss said.”
There are complications though as not all pest species respond the same way to warm winter weather. “A warm winter day could cause insects to become active (e.g., woolly bear caterpillars) when they normally would be dormant,” explained Integrated Crop Management News. “Activity uses up stored fats they depend on to survive until the spring. Without access to food, these active insects could starve to death before food becomes available.” However, Iowa’s average low January temperature is in the twenties compared to Florida’s high fifties and Jacksonville high forties. Insects typically begin to enter a hibernation-like torpor state called diapause when temperatures drop into the low forties. Whereas, regional species of fleas begin to die off below 37F other species of insects produce glycerol using it as a sort of antifreeze that allows them to walk around during warm Winter weather and not die during a periodic cold snap.
Florida lawn and garden pests develop in fewer days during warm winter weather as the insect growth rate is temperature-dependent. “Every insect requires a consistent amount of heat accumulation to reach certain life stages, such as egg hatch or adult flight,” according to Utah State University. “Degree day values interpret that heat accumulation. When used to determine treatment timing, they are an important component of an Integrated Pest Management program, providing a cost effective tool to reduce insect feeding damage.”
Be vigilant in monitoring your lawn and garden plants during warm winter weather, checking the undersides of leaves, and being ready for applying preventative treatments.
Insects aren’t the only threat as fungus spore survivability improves with warm Winter weather. La Nina Winter conditions forecast less precipitation throughout the Southeast. While ensuring your lawn and landscape have adequate weekly watering, don’t overwater, which is an invitation to fungus. Be on the lookout for Brown Patch fungus in your turf prevalent when evening temperatures are below 70F. Signs of Brown Patch fungus are rings and small irregular patches of dead grass.
Learn the signs and symptoms of pests and pathogens in your landscape to reduce the risk and threats of infestations. Ensure your lawn care service is proactive in assessing and preventing these potential warm Winter weather threats with adequate treatments early. Earth Works Lawn Care division offers free quotes for Lawn and Landscape disease and pest control services.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Visit us or for specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online at 904-996-0712. Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Growing heirloom vegetables provides your family delicious flavors, and with seed saving and exchange you help preserve plant genetic diversity. Many of the remaining seeds of our ancestor’s choice crops passed down through the generations are labeled heirloom seeds and seedlings at your neighborhood garden center.
While industrial agriculture has provided benefits, there are also consequences. “Since the 1900s, some 75 percent of plant genetic diversity has been lost as farmers worldwide have left their multiple local varieties and landraces for genetically uniform, high-yielding varieties,” according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “Today, 75 percent of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species.”
The public has shown renewed interest in growing their own food, saving seeds for their children, and exchanging them with others. Seed Savers Exchange has over 13,000 members and saves over 20,000 seed varieties while making them available to the public on their website and through garden centers.
Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated by insects and thus stay true to their parent’s characteristics. Hybrid offspring don’t. “Hybrids are a seed savers’ bane,” wrote the South Dakota State University Extension. “Plants that grow from seed saved from hybrid plants generally are less vigorous, more variable, and usually have smaller blossoms and yield less than their parents. Because F1 (First Generation) plants contain genes from two very different lines, their progeny (“F2” generation – or the “grandchildren” of the hybrid) will behave more like outcrossed plants, having a random assortment of the genes from either of the F1 parents – the desired ones along with the bad ones. Some plants may look like the F1 hybrids, but others may look and grow quite differently. Subsequent generations will have even more variability.”
‘Cherokee Purple’ tomatoes farmed by Native Americans and the ‘Rutgers’ tomato developed in the 1930s are but two of the thousands of tasty and interesting heirlooms available to you. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has available to you a rainbow of colorful native corn varieties that were a staple throughout the Americas and continue to do so today supported by your gardening purchases.
Earth Works Garden Center has a seasonal selection of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange seeds and regional farm-grown heirloom seedlings available.
Seeds are big business for those supplying the over 47,000 Florida farmers like Shells Feed & Garden Supply in Tampa, Florida. Whatever your agriculture seed needs, Shell’s Feed can find an option including heirlooms and bulk seed from these suppliers: Ferry Morse, Livingston, Hart Seed, Sandia Seeds, and Seedway. They nurture the gardening community at their garden center and online.
For a wealth of information on growing heirloom vegetables also consider a visit to Reems Creek Nursery 10 minutes north of Asheville, North Carolina where you’ll find seeds from High Mowing, Botanical Interests, Sow True Seed, and Livingston. They provide organic certified, heirloom, open-pollinated, and hybrids along with a knowledgeable staff, workshops, and events.
And for additional suppliers visit our list of 60+ FREE Seed Catalogs. Plus, for help growing heirloom vegetables in Northeast Florida visit us at Earth Works Garden Center. We also provide landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions throughout Northeast Florida. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
A warm La Nina Winter and its impacts are the focus of our January Lawn and Garden Tips for Northeast Florida. While January is typically the region’s coldest month a warm one has its drawbacks especially for plants.
Why Are Winter Temperatures Higher This Year? La Nina is predicted by NOAA to be warmer and wetter than the average Winter for Northeast Florida. “Above-average temperatures are favored across the South and most of the eastern U.S. as La Nina climate conditions have emerged for the second Winter in a row according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Drier-than-average conditions are favored in south-central Alaska, southern California, the Southwest, and the Southeast.”
Dramatic Fluctuations In Temperatures More Harmful Than Lows Worse than the threat of freezing for many of our plants is the threat from extreme temperature fluctuations. “If the temperature falls steadily and plants have time to acclimate to the cold, they can adapt,” according to Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “What usually does the damage is a quick weather change or a big difference between the temperature during the day and deeper cold at night.” Plants likewise deal with freezing temperatures better when dormant. The greatest diurnal temperature variation tends to occur in the desert for a reason. In case of cold damage, make sure the affected trees or shrubs have water and avoid fertilizing or pruning them until Spring, which best serves the healing process.
Warm Winter Brings Tree Pollen Early To Northeast Florida That’s not Spring, but pollen in the air. A warm La Nina Winter in Northeast Florida results in trees releasing pollen early. “Across most of the country, trees don’t release their pollen until early spring,” according to Allergy & Asthma Specialists of North Florida. “But, thanks to our temperate climate here in North Florida, local trees usually start producing an abundance of pollen starting in February (and sometimes as early as December).” In 2021 Jacksonville ranked 30th worst city for Spring allergies by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen allergy symptoms include itchy throat, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and headaches.
January Plant Pruning For Northeast Florida January is the appropriate time in Northeast Florida to prune roses and deciduous plants, including crape myrtles, pears, and plums. Even Double Knock Out roses that bloom every 5-6 weeks from Spring to Frost should be pruned once a year around this time of year through early Spring. Evergreens, in general, can be pruned any time of year. Prune your azaleas after they bloom, which can vary widely depending on the variety. “Bloom times are divided into three flowering groups of early, mid, and late or fall flowering varieties,” wrote Lorna King for Garden’s Path. “The early group starts to flower in late Winter to early Spring, roughly from February to April. Midseason is comprised of late Spring and early summer, or May and June. And the late or fall group flowers from midsummer and into fall, or mid-July to October.” Reblooming azaleas should be pruned after the Spring bloom only. If pruned after the Fall blooms, that could stimulate growth put at risk by Winter cold.
Planting Choices for January Annuals are an obvious choice for colorful plantings outdoors in Winter. Pansies, petunias, snapdragons, violas, and dusty millers are popular. Camellias, the Queens of Winter with many currently blooming cultivars, is a great planting choice. Houseplant enthusiasts have a cornucopia of choices for adding to their collection in Winter, even though dealing with lower light, humidity, and temperature. Cooler months are prime time for planting large shade trees, fruit trees, and palms. Visit the Earth Works Garden Center and speak with a garden guide about the care of your specific plant choices.
Prep Soil In Winter For Beautiful Spring Turf Prepare early for a beautiful Spring lawn with AERATION & TOP DRESSING. Our naturally sandy soil requires nutrient replenishment for your best Spring & Summer lawn. Proper care of your lawn during dormancy will make for a healthy, vigorously growing lawn turf that holds up best to pests and pathogens.
A combination of twice per week rain events or waterings continues to be our recommendation in January. Keep an eye out to see if El Nina provides the necessary precipitation or supplement when necessary. Earth Works Lawn Care can visit to provide you an estimate for AERATION & TOP DRESSING, lawn service, including lawn pest & fertilization spraying quotes, are available for free online.
Schedule Your Pond Clean Out In Winter
Earth Works provides quotes for the annual winter pond cleanout service for Aquascape ecosystem ponds we built and can quote any pond system design whether it’s a commercial or DIY constructed pond. Earth Works designs and builds low-maintenance ecosystem ponds that collect the majority of debris in the skimmer basket, but some debris settles to the pond bottom that requires a periodic cleanout. Unserviced pond debris buildup is a water quality concern. Thus, we recommend an annual winter pond clean-out servicing.
“So we recommend once a year,” Jason Duffney, Earth Works owner said at the 2021 Winter Pond Clean Out Seminar. “That’s what we have found is the secret sauce. Don’t wait beyond three years.” Thus, when contacting Earth Works to schedule a pond clean out our standard quotations are based on the pond size, equipment configuration, and design. The longer you wait and the dirtier it gets the more expensive the cost to the ecosystem and your pocketbook. Don’t wait. Contact us to book today!
Get Your Landscape Design Scheduled In Time for Spring Outdoor Living
A warm La Nina Winter can quickly fill landscaping companies Spring schedules. Consider booking your landscape design consultation sooner than later. Then spend some time gathering the pertinent documents and photos of landscapes you like that represent the vision that you create with your designer. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get your choice of project completion dates. Check out our landscape design consultation video to better understand our process. Before you book consider the Earth Works recommendation from these December clients the Shahs.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Visit us or for specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712. Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
This list of 60+ FREE seed catalogs of reputable suppliers is provided as a resource to increase your gardening enjoyment and foster landscape design ideas. While our gardening enthusiasm is unlimited, there are limitations to the diversity of any supplier’s selection of seeds. We have seeds and seedlings at the Earth Works garden center. Some seed companies specialize in flowers, while others focus on fruits and vegetables. Using reputable seed suppliers is essential as seed quality varies. Beware of seed scams promoted on social media and seeds sold in unmarked packaging material. The seed business is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds are categorized by types, including breeder, foundation, registered and certified. Information on reputable seed company labels should include the kind and variety of seed, origin, net weight, seed purity, and expected germination percentage. Free seed catalogs are a good start in broadening your knowledge and planting options.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us with your questions and to book design consultations at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
Earth Works of Jacksonville consistently stocks a high-quality mix of 3-4” and 6-8” shubunkins, comets, wakins, and hibuna Florida pond goldfish varieties. Goldfish, Carassius auratus, although in the same family as koi, will not grow as large. Domestication of goldfish from crucian carp dates back to 200 AD in China. “During the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 to 907), goldfish with preferred phenotypes were selected to be raised in ornamental ponds and water gardens,” according to The evolutionary origin and domestication history of goldfish. “The goldfish was introduced into Japan and Europe at the beginning of the 17th century and introduced to North America ∼1850 where it quickly became popular.”
An advantage of growing goldfish in a pond includes a greater likelihood of reaching their genetic growth potential. In contrast, aquarium-grown fish often become stunted due to a lack of space to grow. Goldfish are bottom feeders that will eat a wide variety of flake and pellet foods along with plants, snails, and other invertebrates.
We only stock fish from Blackwater Creek Koi Farms for consistent, high-quality fish and biosecurity. Mixing fish from different suppliers increases the risk of illness and disease and the need for quarantining new fish. Stocking from only one high-quality vendor eliminates the need for quarantining new fish.
Available Florida Pond Goldfish Varieties Shubunkin goldfish are calico patterned orange, red, and black speckled over bluish base color and have heart-shaped tails. There are three varieties of Shubunkins, including the American (that we sell), London, and Bristol. Shubunkins grow to a maximum length of 12 inches.
Comet goldfish have bright red patterns over a white base color, often looking like small koi. Comet goldfish originated in the United States. Comets grow to a maximum length of 14 inches.
Wakin goldfish are principally distinguished by a double-tail with varied color patterns with several sub-varieties, including Calico and Red & White. Wakins grow to a maximum length of 12 – 14 inches.
Red Hibuna goldfish, also called common goldfish are solid reddish-orange or a mix of red patterns on white and grow to a maximum length of 12 inches. These are hardy fish and a likely feature for the average backyard pond.
Watonai goldfish are a double-tail variety genetically crossing humped-back Ryukin and fantail Wakin goldfish exhibiting longer flowing tails than wakins. “Watonai have the long slender body of the Wakin, but with a much larger tail which it carries spread horizontally,” according to Blackwater Creek Koi Farms. “The width of the tail fin should equal the length of the body. They can get fairly large, but the maximum body length is just slightly smaller than these other hardy varieties.”
Goldfish and koi can be trained to eat from your hand. Biology Teacher Gara Leen demonstrates (in the video below) a hand-feeding training technique for koi and goldfish using feeding rings in her pond.
We do not supply Black Moors, Bubble Eye, Fantails, Jikin, Lionhead, Orandas, Ranchus, Sabao, Tamasaba, and Ryukins. These pond stocking recommendations are strictly for ponds that do not connect to other natural water bodies, as these fish would then be considered invasive.
For stocking your pond with fish and comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online or at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
We proudly serve clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
December’s cold, dry weather requires a focus on watering and caring for plants while enjoying holidays by the fire pit. Last month was the seventh coldest November (58F average) on record, but the predictions are for milder average temperatures in December. We are experiencing an early month warmup before the shortest day of the year, on the December 21 Winter Solstice, and a return to colder weather. December high and low temperatures (67F high; 43F low) are the 2nd lowest averages of the year behind January. While December 2019 saw only one freezing day in Jacksonville, there were six in 2020. Keep up to date with your area’s weather forecasts and be prepared to protect your tender plants, pets, and livestock.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE WATER OUR LAWN IN DECEMBER? November 6th and 7th accounted for the majority of Jacksonville’s monthly rain total of 1.64 inches, which is nearly an inch below average for November, which is typically the driest month of the year. While drying out is suitable for reducing the threat of lawn fungus, too little water and watering at the wrong time can also cause problems. The National Weather Service predicts a continuation of below-average precipitation throughout the Southern United States in December.
Earth Works Lawn Care Operations Manager Chad Lakin urges that a healthy lawn needs two watering events per week in December. They can both be rain events or supplemented with a combination of irrigation and hand watering. New lawns, plants, and landscapes should be watered daily for the first month to get them established. Irrigation is restricted to once per week in Jacksonville, coinciding with a return to Standard Time that began on November 6. Stipulations for Jacksonville’s watering ordinance include: 1) No watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2) Odd number addresses, or addresses ending with letters N-Z, or no address may water only on Saturday. 3) Even number addresses or those ending with A-M may water only on Sunday. 4) Non-residential addresses may water only on Tuesday and 5) Apply up to ¾-inch or less of water one time per week.
WHAT DOES LAWN TURF NEED IN DECEMBER? Proper care of your lawn during dormancy will directly impact its health in Spring and Summer. Lakin recommends Fall fertilization for root health with an NPK of 0-0-26, which helps protect against grey leaf spot fungus during the growing season. Now is an excellent time to consider soil AERATION & TOP DRESSING your lawn ahead of Spring, a service Earth Works Lawn Maintenance provides. Call or email Earth Works for a quote.
WHICH VEGETABLES CAN I PLANT IN DECEMBER? December vegetable planting recommendations are the same for November and December, with a few additional veggies added to the soil in January. University of Florida IFAS recommendations for December include Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Onions, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, & Turnips. The cabbage at our vegetable tables looks really lovely and healthy now.
WHAT DO I NEED TO START MY CONTAINER GARDEN? We recommend Wild Earth Soil Mix for your raised beds or container gardening, a rich, light-weight compost mix available by the bag and yard. Espoma Organic Biotone Starter is an excellent planting fertilizer. As always, we have everything from earthworm castings to bat guano for your specific planting soil amendment needs.
BESIDES VEGETABLES, WHAT CAN I PLANT IN DECEMBER? Palms, fruit, and other trees can be planted in the cold, dry weather of December here in Northeast Florida. Winter is also the time of year to plant colorful annuals, including petunias, supertunias, violas, snapdragons, decorative kale, and Dusty Miller. Earth Works has a large selection of annuals for your garden beds. Poinsettias are plentiful during December, and Anthurium is another long-lasting, heart-shaped flower in a more limited supply with red or white blooms.
WHAT SHOULD I BE CONCERNED WITH MY PLANTS INDOORS IN DECEMBER? Getting your plants acclimated to indoor living after being brought inside requires extra attention to their light and watering needs. Our heating systems create far different conditions from those our outdoor plants are accustomed to. Regular inspection required watering, rotating, and adjusting plant positions for lighting and away from drafts, fertilization, and remedying pests problems are all part and parcel for active plant parents in Winter.
CAN I START MY BONSAI HOBBY IN DECEMBER? Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing dwarf trees in pots that can start anytime. These potted plants can be started indoors or out with as little as soil, container, and plant. Earth Works Garden Center Manager Matthew Barlow has decades of experience growing, training, and caring for bonsai plants and is available to answer your specific questions about bonsai. Earth Works likewise has bonsai plants ready to add to your collection or share as gifts during the Christmas holidays.
DO MY KOI FISH NEED SPECIAL CARE IN DECEMBER? The main concerns involving koi in December revolve around water temperature. Rhonda King, Earth Works Garden Center Associate Manager, discusses in the attached video cold water concerns for koi ponds, including: -The benefits of a pond thermometer. -Using the proper cold water food for koi digestive health. -Now is the time to schedule your pond cleanout before Spring.
IS WINTER A GOOD TIME TO SCHEDULE A LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONSULTATION? You should have a complete vision and plan for your landscaping before putting a shovel in the dirt. Still, Winter is a perfect time to schedule your landscape design consultation. Working with a professional designer can provide you a written plan to implement all at once or in phases. It can take weeks, even months, to schedule and implement your plan. Don’t wait too late to get your project scheduled to meet your desired completion date.
Don’t let the cold, dry weather of December deter you from caring for your plants and planning ahead for Spring and Summer. Contact us with your questions and for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden, and landscaping needs, at 904-996-0712. And remember that Earth Works has gift cards available in any denomination that can be used for any of our products and services. During the month of December 25% of gift card sales are donated to our local charity the Sanctuary on 8th Street.
Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions. Contact us at 904-996-0712.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.
