Thanks for the kind replies. The flowers are impatients and they are growing well in full sun. I have really enjoyed the pond this year. Lisa

I agree about sticking with native frogs. They're going into your pond and will be free to come and go. Non-native frogs may not survive, or may cause problems in the local environment. Yes, larger frogs may eat a few fish, but it is not a major part of their diet. They only eat what they find at or above the surface or in very shallow water. They don't dive for food. They have a pretty simple mode of existence for most of their adult lives. When they see a moving object, they judge whether to hide from it or to swallow it! Tadpoles eat mostly algae. When they are transitioning they eat nothing and live off their tail. The other thing about frogs is that all of them sing at some point in the year. Bullfrogs and green frogs tend to sing throughout the summer. They are also the ones that are most aquatic, and most likely to hang out in the pond rather than wandering off into the woods. Leopard and pickerel frogs stay near the water but like to hunt in grassy areas. Wood frogs breed in one mad rush and then spend the rest of the season in the deep damp woods. Toads will hang out in the garden if they have nice places to hide, like hollow logs or overturned flower pots. Tree frogs and peepers will be heard much more than seen. They sing mainly in the spring, and during wet weather in the summer and fall. For overwintering, some kinds will find places on land, and others will overwinter at the bottom of the pond.

I am the April person so I will post my info here. My birthday is actually in July but Steph had that already and no one claimed this one, so I got it. I will be the big 50 this year, so I figure I can start the party early and maybe even continue late. (Who would have ever thought I would make it this OLD!) Actually, I am glad that I have a spring month. I am hoping that I might get some starts of people's favorite plants. I love trying different ones, especially things you don't see in this area very often. I live on a lake (Rainbow) and have an acreage and plenty of room to put stuff. So far, I have a white garden, a woodland garden, a blue and yellow garden,a fairy garden and am going to start a pink garden in honor of my little granddaughter. I love Iris and have really gotten into Siberian's as of late. Pretty much though, I love whatever is in bloom at the time. I am pretty partial to purple or as we gardeners call it (Blue)plants. I have a very tiny pond also. No pets right now. I have decided not to get anymore until I can put up a good sturdy fence the whole way around the property. Too many of the neighbor's pets like to come visiting. I do have a little collection of fairy statues and somehow am getting quite a few frog things too. I am enjoying this robin. It does seem like a very good group and it looks like everyone has been sending thoughtful and pleasant surprises. It also bodes well that so many are volunteering to keep it running smoothly. I look forward to hearing from everyone. Thanks Karen

I am a new member of this forum. I have really enjoyed looking at the terrariums linked on these pages. The info regarding certain harder-to-keep varieties of plants has also been helpful. When I read this thread, I felt that I had to reply. PDF's are not hard to keep. There are 10 year old children in my neighborhood who are successfully maintaining a vivarium with the frogs, and even breeding the frogs. Personally, I have over 50 vivariums in my home. Each one contains some poison dart frogs. Any and every color you can imagine. Orchids, bromeliads, tropical mosses, waterfalls, you name it. I really like the terrariums, but when you add a pair of bright, electric blue frogs, now you have some life!! Yes, you do have to culture, or purchase, the fruit flies. The flies we use in the hobby cannot fly. They are non-invasive and very easy to culture. They do not smell either. I have 200 cultures going at a time, there is a slight smell with this many cultures, but most visitors to our frog rooms do not even notice it. Mixing the frogs and plants to create vivariums has been the most rewarding journey of my life. I encourage everyone, not to base your opinions of keeping PDF's based on heresay, or an experience of a friend from 10 years ago. The hobby has changed drastically over the last decade. The frogs are easy to obtain, and there is soooo much info on keeping these precious little gems. Remember, everyone starts with no experience. Please fell free to email with any questions. I live in the Chicago suburbs. Pete