Creating My Pond Garden

May 3, 2025

Another beautiful garden is being planted at my Bedford, New York farm.

For months I've been restoring an old pond on my property - removing surrounding unstable trees, dredging decades of pond silt, repairing the spillway, and reinforcing the walls with huge rocks and boulders already here at my farm. Next, the pond water was tested and aerating bubblers were installed. And then compost was laid down and the entire area was prepared for planting. I wanted the pond garden to be filled with beautiful shady trees and bright, colorful azaleas. I planned a variety of unique specimens in yellow and orange hues to mix with the bold glossy green foliage of ferns and birch trees. I am so excited - it will look spectacular in the coming years.

Enjoy these photos of the next phase of my pond project.

: Last month, the heavy work in and around the pond was completed. This is the newly repaired spillway I designed – a crenellated wall to allow the water to pass through easily and naturally. Spillways are crucial for water control. They ensure surplus water flows through safely and efficiently, preventing any flooding.

: The pond is now clear of debris and silt. Reflections of the bare trees can be seen in the water.

: The surrounding landscape is also cleared and leveled.

: Next, an aerating system is installed to keep the water moving and to control mosquitoes, minimize algae, and increase oxygen for pond wildlife.

: This is a rocking piston compressor that creates the air pressure needed for oxygenating the pond.

: And this is a weighted diffuser plate which is installed under water to create the air bubbles.

: One can see the bubblers working – these provide continuous operation to maintain proper circulation through the water.

: Chhiring transports compost to the planting areas using our trusted Kubota tractor and loader. I am so fortunate to be able to make my own nutrient rich compost here at the farm.

: Using a hard rake, Adan spreads a layer of compost in the areas to be planted.

: Ryan sprinkles fertilizer all around the planting area.

: I use Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed All Purpose Plant Food. It contains all the essential nutrients to nourish the plants and trees above and below the soil.

: These birch trees are now about six to seven feet tall, but they started out as bare-roots about a foot in height. I prefer to nurture bare roots in pots before they are planted in more permanent locations. And one can see why my method works – these trees are so beautiful and lush.

: I purchased ferns for the pond’s edge. Most ferns prefer dappled or shaded areas. Be sure they are also protected from strong winds.

: And here are lots and lots of azaleas in shades of creamy to crisp yellow and orange.

: These stunning azaleas are from White’s Nursery, LLC in Germantown, Maryland. White’s specializes in evergreen, deciduous, and native azaleas as well as rhododendrons.

: Owners Mike and Debra White grow all their plants and nurture them in their greenhouses.

: Here is one Mike grew from seed with light and dark orange flowers.

: Here are Matthew and Ryan sorting all the plants for the area. When planning a garden, it is important to consider size of inventory, light needs and growth habits of the plants, and the location of any necessary footpaths.