Hi again all, Horton, I couldn't agree with you more, obviously the low wattage is not enough to keep up with my Minnesota winters, even though they say it does. I have not heard back from Dan yet, but it is a holiday. I will let you know what he says if he does get back to me. Will, don't be nervous, you should dive right in, the water is fine, all be it a bit cold right now. LOLOL! Honestly, I may have had a setback with my koi dilemma but I love ponding! It is so peaceful to have the sound of water and the sites of the wonderful wildlife that make my backyard their home every spring/summer. I get dozens of frogs and birds, dragonflies, butterflies and even the occasional snake because of the pond and stream. I get to sit on my deck and watch birds of all types bathe and drink from the stream, and fish play in the falls, dragonflies perch and hunt from bamboo stakes I have placed in the waterlily pots, and every night a serenade of frog song and crickets fill the air. I can grow beautiful waterlilies, flag iris, and this year, with luck, lotus, and dozens of other beautiful waterplants, and hear the sound of the stream and falls as I work or just enjoy the gardens. Some of the boulders are pretty large although they are considered two man boulders, they were a challenge moving. Actually we, my husband and I did all the work ourselves. I have a background in design, and am either too stuborn or cheap to pay someone to do what I know how to do myself. Besides the exercise is good for us! LOLOL! Every spring my husband asks me, "so what backbreaking project do you have for me this year?" and by the time we have finished it we swear, no more, but.... BTW, I sent you a reply to your email. Thank you! Carol, Sorry to hear you have gone through the same thing :( I could, if I had one, and if there was a hole in the ice to get the tube through. As I said we just had another major snowstorm and it is all solid ice again. I know they need air, but it has had the chance to get some air exchange the few times the ice has melted around the edges. We are supposed to finally get a decent warm up this week, with temps hitting near 50 by Friday, that should be enough for a lot of it to melt. You guys are all great, I can't thank you enough for your help and concern. I am glad I have you all to talk to. Thank you!!!! Jodi

Most designated "grow bulbs" for floros aren't really better than cool white or warm color bulbs. They may do a little better job if you plan on using them all the time, meaning a plant destined to be in your house year round, but the other, cheaper bulbs do a better job of providing the light seedlings need to grow roots and slow vegetation. If your happy, cool. If not, return them and just use the cheapest 48" tubes you can buy. TiMo

Pirates, follow the directions. Most neem products are ready to be mixed in water and applied; the emulsifiers are included. (Tsk tsk....I just read the on line label and it clearly states not to add anything but water. Read ALL of the directions again until you clearly understand how to mix, how to apply.) To make sure that spider mites are the problem, use an inexpensive magnifying glass and a bright lamp to inspect the underside of the leaves carefully. Though a bit difficult, not impossible, to see with the naked eye, they can easily be seen with a little help. Alternanthera is quite prone to spider mites, so you're likely right on target. Only mix the amount of neem that you'll use at one time, but do the math accurately. Stronger isn't better. And be sure to target the underside of the leaves.

Well, yesterday I put down a little more seed on the bare spots and covered them with another light layer of peat moss. Seems to be doing well so far. Weather has been perfect for new grass seed since the storm washed me out. I also misspoke earlier when I said my lawn was about 1,000 square feet. I measured and it is more like 1,500 square feet. I used so much seed because there were huge bare spots, and my lawn was incredibly thin. On a side note, all of my neighbors had their lawns aerated today. They gave me a funny look when I told them I cancelled my appointment. Oh well, hopefully I'm the one with the thick green lawn come springtime.