"A Garden Pond is a small romantic Eden with floating flowers, fragrance, reflections, the sound of water, and the glint of golden fish." - Water Gardens, Jacqueline Heriteau and Charles B Thomas

Welcome to the "Library Corner!"

Before I begin I thought it would be appropriate to tell you a little bit about myself. I believe you will find me like anyone else in our Society. My ponding history can be wrapped up in one sentence, "It began as a pre-formed water feature and has grown into a feature, and hobby, of apocalyptic proportions." Well, maybe it’s not that bad, but on some days it certainly feels that way. Like you, my husband and I have our own "Eden" in the yard. We spend countless hours there, not just maintaining it, but enjoying it as well. At times I feel like Snow White, waiting for butterflies and dragonflies to light on my finger. Other times I feel like Mother Koi. I must be a Mother Koi, why else would koi rush to the ponds edge when they see me? Perhaps it has something to do with the cheerios in my hand? Regardless, I have a passion like you, for the natural beauty of gardens, crystal waters and wildlife.

I am now your Librarian on duty! Being the library gatekeeper is a welcome assignment and I have been enjoying it very much. Our library is an additional resource of information and our members should take advantage of all that it offers.

I stood in front of the book, and video, case wondering what publication should be the very first offering in the newly created "Library Corner" featuring book/video reviews. The books and videos our Society offers are incredible, and many, so choosing just one book would be difficult. I’ve decided to review Water Gardens; How To Design, Install, Plant, and Maintain A Home Water Garden, by Heriteau and Thomas. From what I read of its description, this book would focus quite a bit on pond plants. I was not disappointed.

This book actually covers many subjects. It gives the basics of water gardening from inception through completion of a pond. For the men in our society there are plenty of topics involving the plumbing, the filtering, the chemical balances. This book will give you just enough information to whet our appetite but not delve too deeply into the details of creating such things as flux capacitors. Perhaps I will find those blue prints in another book, or in the corners of the Passovoy's garage!

This book offers many pages regarding plantings, winterizing, and types of plants best suited for your water garden. It touches "lightly" on pond creatures (including our beloved koi); however, this is not the main topic of the book, which only offers a few pages about fish, snails and frogs.

If you would like to know more about choosing, cultivating and caring for water plants, this book would be a good choice. Definitely choose this book to curl up with on an evening after the koi are tucked in and you’ve had your fill of Reality TV.

I give this book 2.5 Fish!

If you are interested in this book, or any books/videos in our library, please send me an email. I will gladly deliver your selection to the next meeting!

Library Main Page || Reviews || Books || Magazines || Videos

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Midwest Pond & Koi Society
P.O. Box 3011 • Lisle, IL 60532-8011 • 312–409–2081

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