The Pond Lovers is a sustainable farmer's ode to the watery microcosms all around us, from the half-acre farm pond to the suburban garden pool. Readers looking for hands-on experience will find plenty of pond-keeping dos and don'ts. Gene Logsdon's higher purpose, however, is to proclaim the natural, spiritual, and recreational benefits of ponds. Fed by spring or filled by rainfall, the ponds closest to Logsdon's heart need minimal human interference in the way of machinery or chemicals. Those we read about in ""The Pond Lovers"" mostly belong to Logsdon's friends and neighbors, an extraordinarily resourceful group of people. For them, a pond is many things - from a place to fish, swim, or skate to an oasis for local plants, insects, and animals. Each purpose, Logsdon shows us, has its place in a thoughtful, self-sufficient life. Drawn from many and varied lifetimes spent around ponds, ""The Pond Lovers"" brims with lessons and opportunities for good work and good play - for backyard naturalists, do-it-yourselfers, and armchair gardeners.

What is the best position for a pool? How should I prepare the site? Which plants and fish are suitable? How do I maintain the pond? Expert answers to those most frequently asked questions: simply pin-point your question, turn to the answer and solve the problem. Covers everything you need to know on ponds and water gardens, from site advice to planting ideas. Includes checklists, plant lists, hints and tips and feature boxes. Troubleshooting section on pond problems. Illustrated with how-to artworks and colour photographs.

Whether it's fishing by moonlight, planting iris and weeping willows, catching crawfish, or supervising an unruly crowd of ducks, Louise Riotte knows how to get the most fun out of a family pond. She shares her experiences in this entertaining book, presented with her trademark mix of facts, anecdotes, lore, and lively humor. Catfish Ponds & Lily Pads includes how the Riotte family built a pond; tips on fish farming with catfish, bass, or trout; creating a backyard pool for frogs and water lilies; waterside plants - beneficial and harmful; and recipes, stories, and fascinating asides.