Thank you Brenda and tcp Splish splash. The dog leg is a name the head groundskeeper (who also doubles as my DH) gave that section of the pond :) It wasn't hard but it wasn't easy either. Good thing about it is the fish can stay in the pond. We dropped the water level down about 18" to work on the pond ...where it is pieced is only 15" deep..it is a narrow passage actually about 32" wide (before the rocks go back) first you dig your new pond, then take the rocks away from the area, drop the water level, clean the liner real well. we attached the liners together with double faced tape as well as GE silicone. then we cut some liner strips (like a big bandaid) and and applied the bandaid on top with more silicone. We waited the recommended days for it to completely cure, then filled the pond and put the rocks back. Now if this ever sprung a leak the most that the water level can drop is 12" (that is where it is pieced. Here is a pic, the left side the pond is 3 1/2 feet deep, the dog leg on the right side is 2 foot deep (except where it is pieced -- that's one foot deep the orange koi is in the deep section and the white koi is in the dog leg. If you want I can make drawings on how we did it, but not until Friday, cause I'm working tomorrow. Joann Here's a pic from standing on the dock, Terminator is coming back into the 3 1/2 foot main pond. The left side is the dog leg -- that's only 2 foot deep. Here's Terminator, in the dog leg, about to re-enter the main pond. All the big flat rocks running across is to hide all the silicone lines. It looks like the rocks are high up, but there is actually about 10" of water on top of the rocks.

Fruitnut, Yes overhead sprinklers for frost protection. As you said our normal bloom time is March. He grows a lot of different varieties but the plants we were eating fruit from were Emeralds and springhigh but I would say 70% of his different varieties are in bloom. His plants had already lost their leaves while mine still have leaves. The difference is with 12 acres he has more of a fungal load which you know reduces the longevity of the leaves. I have 2 bunches of bananas that are not even close to being ripe so I am hoping it stays warm:)

I prefer the Brandywine, but it is almost like choosing a favorite color. The Brandywines are sharper more-complex tasting, but the Cherokee has a flavor of its own worthy of respect. It is just "different" but enjoyable too. But if I had to grow only one, it would be Brandywine. When my (much later planted) Caspian Pinks and Prudens Purple start to ripen, I will have more different tastes, but Brandywine will still be my favorite.

Jean, Coral Fantasy is my favorite. I loved that one, but seem to have lost it. I say that because several that I thought had died have come back...but that one probably won't. I really like it and your plant seems to do very well, kay