I can give you a partial explanation. I have seen the same kind of deposits in plastic lined tanks, unlined tanks, slow moving natural streams and a large pond and waterfall built during the depression as well as most watergardens and ponds. It is a stew of dirt deposits from the air and rain, mulm, live algae and lots of dead algae, and a few minerals from all the rocks in the stream. You could get rid of it temporarally by sterilizing the pond and seriously scrubbing the rocks but that would mean getting rid of the fish and it will be back in 2 weeks anyway. It usually grows in sun more than shade but will occur there as well. It is more likely to form in still water or in spots that slow the water flow slightly which allows heavier debris to drop out of the flow. The stones you have in the waterfall that get such a pounding are actually acting as a sedimentation tank. Not a very efficient one since the rock layer is shallow but it will trap debris that will feed the algae and other biological stuff that lives in the pond water. You may be over feeding the biofilter. I have never added any bio active material to my five year old pond and rarely have a problem with the Skippy filter. I did buy some today that is designed to work below 50 degrees as an experiment but I expect I could do fine without it. I have no stones in my pond other than the ones that were knocked in by accident and the sides and bottom on the liner are virtually free of any algae growth or mulm but I know it is there. If you lift a planter that sits on one of the shelves or under a plastic crate the fishies use as a panic room you will find the deposits. The deposits occur anywhere the water flow is slowed. Excess food helps it along too. I expect to find similar deposits on the sides of pots as I pull them out for the winter. It will make them very slick or slimey to the touch. Make sure you are not overfeeding the fish, cut down on the microbes and remove some of the rocks at the lowest point. Mulm will collect there for you to vaccuum up and it will make you happy. Increase your filtration material. I use quilt batting on my skippy and a large prefilter on the pump for the UV light box. It won't get rid of all of it but it will reduce it. Sandy

I would like to go back to the VFT discussion, because sometimes I get too caught up in science discussions, and I do not have time for so much writing. Has any one ever seen a B52 with traps of more than 2" in size??? Because this plant is selling for $25.00 each with only one inch size traps. And until now, I have not found one pic on the net that shows me this is a true giant. I have Dingley Giants, Big Mouths, Dutch, Big Vigorous, and the Royal Red. Well, I have more cultivars than this, but these are the giants. In all my fifteen years growing these plants, I find that the trap sizes are as follows in smallest to largest: Dutch, Big Mouth, Dingley Giant, Royal Red, and the largest of them all.. The Big Vigorous. This plant without seen the label I can spot it in my CP garden because it always deploys large traps. So I am wondering if the B52 might trully be bigger than the Big Vigorous, or would the Big Vigorous win in size. The greatest thing about the Big Vigorous is that the traps are not only larger than any other cultivar I know, but the traps teeth are thick making the plant look stronger which is why it is call Vigorous. In my garden I actually have others that are bigger than even the Big Vigorous, but they are plants that I grew from seeds and have not registered them as cultivars. I am looking for the largest traps in the world and they might be right in my garden..... that is if the B52 is not as large as they claim. I guess the best thing to do would be to buy one, and grow it big myself. So my next question woould be....Does any one knows a good reputable place to buyt this plant?

I agree with some of the others..You have lots of potential there but if it were me, I'd start out making the front flower bed first. It's what you and all your neighbors and passer-bys see. They don't see behind that fenced area. Save those areas for last. Sit down and decide what colors you like best. Do you have any favorite flowers? I would start out with flowers that perennials in the back of the bed. These come back year after year and you can make more plants but dividing them as they grow and also taking cuttings. Use some container plants near your entrance. By the way, are there some hidden steps to get up on the front porch that we can't see in the pictures? I'm assumming they are hidden and are near the driveway? Since you mention that you are pregnant now, I'd start out with a few container plantings on that porch to give color there. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day..Ask friends or family for cuttings or to save seeds from their plants that you like. I'd stick to flowers that are low maintence and give you color for that front bed. Is there anybody that can help you get started and can do the digging and composting you will need? Does your city offer FREE leaf mulch? Take advantage of that if available or ask neighbors for their leaves. There are a lot of good advice offered here in all the posted messages. Read them all and start yourself a garden journal of helpful hints. All you need is either a 3 ring notebook or what we used to call a composition book with spiral binding. You can pick up 3 ring binders at yardsales for practically nothing. I like to buy the white 3 ring binders at office supply stores where you can insert a colorful page in the front of the book under the plastic sleeve. Invest in some sheet protectors for pictures from magazines that inspire you. Use your public library for ideas, you can even check out gardening magazines for inspiration. Order flower catalogues to give you ideas too. Good Luck! Did you mention the ages of your children? I see the swing set in the back yard so I'm assumming they are under 6 yrs. old?

Gosh, I have tried three times to post photos without success, but I have sure enjoyed everyone else's. I already planned to add a Brussels Griffon when my nest is empty, but now I am wondering whether it's too late in life for me to acquire a lake cabin and plan a trip to Spain, too! So many good ideas for summer enjoyment here. We are a lucky bunch of humans. I hope to return to this thread in February when spirits are as low and be reminded of better days ahead.