Opening the bag they are shipped in instantly releases all the CO2 in the bag, causing the ammonia to spike and making the water toxic for the fish. You should always temperature acclimate with the bag closed.
Putting some Prime in the bucket before dumping the fish in will bind that ammonia. Plop and drop should be your go to method. Avoid dumping the water they are shipped in into your pond, especially Petco.
Yesss! I put creeping thyme in my clay-rich soil too to replace my lawn because of how prolific and hardy it is (both because I'm Zone 5 and because of walking on it).
Tip for making hard soil easy to dig. Soak well, wait til the next day, dig. 10x easier. Don't dig too soon though because it will be too muddy and/or sticky and will compact too much when walked on.
We’re expanding our pond this year. I’m in the upper Midwest and our koi have been great for mosquito control and the pond provides clean running water for all kinds of critters. It attracts garter snakes and bug eating birds that help with pest control. Plus, because we overwinter our fish in pond with a pond heater to melt a hole in the ice, it provides accessible water for wildlife over winter.
I love these pond updates... man... awesome. My wife and I dug up over 9 cubic yards of hard concrete like clay (at the surface, a foot down it turns into a super heavy, dense, chocolate cheese cake lol) by hand. Trust me though, it was 1000% worth it. It's like living in a resort and the life comes from far and wide to enjoy what you create. Cheers!
Those ornamental grasses you have planted can get quite unruly and are invasive in various areas of California. They also self populate even in cultivated landscaping. Everything else looks great!
I love seeing the progression of the pond, more then anything at the homestead. I started gardening as a dumb 11 year old who thought planting flowers attracted frogs… because when i watched youtube videos about ponds and frogs they planted flowers, by the pond. Now im a gardener but with no pond 😂
@@daisyblooms4813 or lizard, or bird, or rodent, etc….they shouldn’t be offering animals in general if they’re not going to ethically source and care for them properly in-store
oh my goodness, the videos with you and jacques are so informative and entertaining. you two have the type of energy where you'll be those fun teachers or something like that XD
That's one of the nicest ponds I've ever seen! Congrats! It made me think of when I was watching a friend's house, and the raccoons got them all the fish in their pond! I had to get some fish before mosquitos could take over but all the fish stores only sold fan-tail goldfish, which were about $25 each! We were then told that fan-tail goldfish couldn't be kept with common goldfish as they are faster and would eat all the food. So, unfortunately the raccons got them too, because they're slow. So it's good to have a shelter for the fish underwater.
My soil is sand and clay. It’s still super hard because it all compacts so easily plus the sand allows the water to drain away so fast it’s hard to keep the plants watered. I have to add a ton of compost, both my own and composted manure, to have something in the soil to hold water and fluff up the dirt.
Sand + clay+ a bit of manure is how they made adobe bricks. Chemically they bind together and form this soil aggregates that become very impervious and basically concrete, so you can’t do much to change the mineral components of soil. Plus to actually change the mineral content, you’d need to bring in wayyyyyy more than a handful or two of sand per planting hole, it’d be more like truckloads for an area this size. Compost breaks up those clay compounds to improve water infiltration and water retention rates, and does so in a much less expensive way
2 guys that are close are my favorite thing on earth. Love you guys. That soil was wild though! Idk if it really even qualifies as “soil” before you worked it.
I see Laura from Garden Answer use that little weed tool and I'm like "wow that looks so easy!" and my soil is exactly like yours in a lot of places haha. Thank you for saving me from spending the money on one!
It has been so cool to watch the homestead transformation and especially the epic pond! Love the new plants and the koi are so cute🥰 At the mention of bees I’m wondering, would you ever consider getting epic honey bees?
I worked at a pond center for awhile, my #1 piece of advice is start algae control early. I like using barley based treatments, like barleymax. I use my water on my crops and have aquaponic plants so I dont like chemical treatments. If you can afford a UV filter definitely get one but only run it when you see algae (the bulbs cost too much to run all year i.m.o.)
Quick question: How is your kitty cat dealing; now that you have all of that fish eye-candy swimming around in your backyard? If anything i am sure she will be very entertained🥳🤩
@@epicgardening Love you man but just because you can "fit" them in doesn't mean there's enough space for mental stimulation; I find that people that like to sell people things love saying that they'll "fit" in places. In Germany it isn't about if it "fits" but if it's mentally happy.
Oooo! I've been wanting to have a pond! This looks great! I'll have to make sure my garden is well before I get anything else though. Looks great kevin!
If you look at the composition of the most sought after soil type sandy loam it is roughly seventy percent sand clay can be permanently modified with enough sand, maybe not on a large scale,but certainly in a flower or garden bed or two
Clay + sand + manure= adobe bricks used to make houses. Your soil composition of minerals isn’t really changeable, but my adding organic matter you break up the clay because it chemically breaks apart the clay bonds to each other. Also adds water holding capacity. Please don’t add sand to clay!
I know that at least in Colorado small gravel is the best soil amendment (squeegee was what I was recommended by our Denver botanic gardens for sustainable landscaping in clay)
Have you guys heard of gypsum? It works great for breaking up clay and makes water soak-in WAYYYYY Better its amazing for clay i would give it a try ifi were you. Just a tip
Hi...sorry I didn't reply sooner...came down with the 24-hour flu. I live near Pasadena and we hope to grow cucumbers, zucchini, or maybe potatoes in our above ground planter box about 3' x 6'
I feel like you guys missed out on the opportunity to call it a Jacques-hammer.
😂 Yea they did!!!
Honestly we really did :(
I need to hear "it's Jacques O'clock" at least once in a video
Hmmm...it was right there...
My thoughts exaclty.
Opening the bag they are shipped in instantly releases all the CO2 in the bag, causing the ammonia to spike and making the water toxic for the fish. You should always temperature acclimate with the bag closed.
Appreciate the feedback
This is so often not communicated! But it was just overnight so I think the ammonia would have been less of an issue. Koi are pretty tough thankfully.
Putting some Prime in the bucket before dumping the fish in will bind that ammonia. Plop and drop should be your go to method. Avoid dumping the water they are shipped in into your pond, especially Petco.
Good to know these kind of details. Thanks
Yesss! I put creeping thyme in my clay-rich soil too to replace my lawn because of how prolific and hardy it is (both because I'm Zone 5 and because of walking on it).
Tip for making hard soil easy to dig. Soak well, wait til the next day, dig. 10x easier. Don't dig too soon though because it will be too muddy and/or sticky and will compact too much when walked on.
We’re expanding our pond this year. I’m in the upper Midwest and our koi have been great for mosquito control and the pond provides clean running water for all kinds of critters. It attracts garter snakes and bug eating birds that help with pest control. Plus, because we overwinter our fish in pond with a pond heater to melt a hole in the ice, it provides accessible water for wildlife over winter.
I love these pond updates... man... awesome. My wife and I dug up over 9 cubic yards of hard concrete like clay (at the surface, a foot down it turns into a super heavy, dense, chocolate cheese cake lol) by hand. Trust me though, it was 1000% worth it. It's like living in a resort and the life comes from far and wide to enjoy what you create.
Cheers!
The life alone makes it worth it
omg I don't think I truly understood how dense the soil is you've all been working with until now....omg literally cheers to you all
I'd say it's hard as clay but that's what you've been explaining LOL
Those ornamental grasses you have planted can get quite unruly and are invasive in various areas of California. They also self populate even in cultivated landscaping. Everything else looks great!
I love seeing the progression of the pond, more then anything at the homestead. I started gardening as a dumb 11 year old who thought planting flowers attracted frogs… because when i watched youtube videos about ponds and frogs they planted flowers, by the pond. Now im a gardener but with no pond 😂
You normally acclimate fish by adding your pond water to the water the fish came in gradually. Its not just about temperature.
We did that - just not shown on video
Yes
Yeah, and tbh Petco really isn’t the place people should be flocking to to get Koi either
@@AussieBit451 generally don't buy fish at Petco
@@daisyblooms4813 or lizard, or bird, or rodent, etc….they shouldn’t be offering animals in general if they’re not going to ethically source and care for them properly in-store
Kevin is so me. Slippers even when dangerous situations are around. 😊
Filipino lifestyle
I always love it when I see Epic Homesteading energy on the main channel
Congratulations on 500th video! 🎉👍
The pond is looking so beautiful!
I got tired just watching you guys work. The pond looks great and the new koi are beautiful
I come for the vibes ✌🏼
They have such great nurseries out there, one of the few things I miss
oh my goodness, the videos with you and jacques are so informative and entertaining. you two have the type of energy where you'll be those fun teachers or something like that XD
Man, I’m so jealous! Everything looks so beautiful!
Nice yard. I can already picture a Great blue Heron and a Raccoon family stopping by to admire the pond contents.
So far pretty lucky here
All of the colors and textures of the plants really brings the pond together
I was literally just thinking about doing something similar in my backyard and then you post this today. Kindred spirits lol
That's one of the nicest ponds I've ever seen! Congrats! It made me think of when I was watching a friend's house, and the raccoons got them all the fish in their pond! I had to get some fish before mosquitos could take over but all the fish stores only sold fan-tail goldfish, which were about $25 each! We were then told that fan-tail goldfish couldn't be kept with common goldfish as they are faster and would eat all the food. So, unfortunately the raccons got them too, because they're slow. So it's good to have a shelter for the fish underwater.
He needs his own TV show!!!
Definitely see it coming soon!
This is the TV show ;)
The pond looks beautiful! Big difference with the ground cover and pond pebbles.
Looks amazing Kevin
nice landscaping! Can't wait for everything to fill in and explode with so much life
I just purchased the heirloom beet gourmet mix and the mild mix microgreens. I am very excited to see them grow. The packaging is beautiful
Seriously beautiful, it needed this finishing touches. Jacques has a Pride of Madeira, glad you included one, its a stunner.
Always an inspiration 😘 thanks much
I know it’s a bit hot but I think you should try growing wasabi
Spectacular, you guys! Love the purples.
Looks great with the addition of plants and ground cover.
2:03 can someone explain why sand wouldn't work?
My soil is sand and clay. It’s still super hard because it all compacts so easily plus the sand allows the water to drain away so fast it’s hard to keep the plants watered. I have to add a ton of compost, both my own and composted manure, to have something in the soil to hold water and fluff up the dirt.
Sand + clay+ a bit of manure is how they made adobe bricks. Chemically they bind together and form this soil aggregates that become very impervious and basically concrete, so you can’t do much to change the mineral components of soil. Plus to actually change the mineral content, you’d need to bring in wayyyyyy more than a handful or two of sand per planting hole, it’d be more like truckloads for an area this size. Compost breaks up those clay compounds to improve water infiltration and water retention rates, and does so in a much less expensive way
I love you guys together. You crack me up and I still learn something.
Looks so peaceful! Love the flower choices and color scheme.
The names your team chose for each fish are fun. Great video!
lol, these two, always so fun to watch, haha! love you guys!
Oh definitely on our to do list!!!
Living the Dream 💸😍😎
Great job guys! You definitely want to enjoy the area.
2 guys that are close are my favorite thing on earth. Love you guys.
That soil was wild though! Idk if it really even qualifies as “soil” before you worked it.
Wow beautiful
Amazing! Really wonderful! ❤
I see Laura from Garden Answer use that little weed tool and I'm like "wow that looks so easy!" and my soil is exactly like yours in a lot of places haha. Thank you for saving me from spending the money on one!
I just bought a rototiller. My soil is sand and clay and my back couldn’t take it anymore
You have such a magic filled area enjoy it all 💜
A fish named squish 😂❤️
Wow its absolutely breathtakingly beautiful 😻 🎉
Love all the pond updates! Can you post a before and after?
Will do on Instagram!
Love the pond videos & updates. Giving me lots of ideas what do do around mine. Can't wait to visit that nursery in San Diego soon!!
Walter Anderson's - great spot!
Looks really good❤
Beautiful!
Awesome pond. Thank God for your great helper
It has been so cool to watch the homestead transformation and especially the epic pond! Love the new plants and the koi are so cute🥰 At the mention of bees I’m wondering, would you ever consider getting epic honey bees?
I'm jealous of your area! This is such a great place to just get away from everything.
I worked at a pond center for awhile, my #1 piece of advice is start algae control early. I like using barley based treatments, like barleymax. I use my water on my crops and have aquaponic plants so I dont like chemical treatments. If you can afford a UV filter definitely get one but only run it when you see algae (the bulbs cost too much to run all year i.m.o.)
Congrats on your 500th video!
Looks good
Just wow so zen and creative what a peaceful yard I love it enjoy it for mee 😂
Quick question: How is your kitty cat dealing; now that you have all of that fish eye-candy swimming around in your backyard? If anything i am sure she will be very entertained🥳🤩
Looks so beautiful ❤ Great job🤩
You are well on your way to HGTV, brother. Well done!
It looks amazing! Nice work.
5 adult koi will be...interesting to see them attempting to move around together with the space given..the plants look good as usual though!
Can fit up to 15 here!
@@epicgardening Love you man but just because you can "fit" them in doesn't mean there's enough space for mental stimulation; I find that people that like to sell people things love saying that they'll "fit" in places. In Germany it isn't about if it "fits" but if it's mentally happy.
awesome pond
Very nice!
lovely👍👍😍😍
Absolutely beautiful!
Looks great! Maybe some aquaponics in the future?
Looks awesome!! Thank you for sharing with us.
Love it but Kevin your flip flops are giving me anxiety lol
You have a fun backyard 🏡
Pond looks amazing!!
Yo love seeing yall have fun in the garden! Great chemistry 🎉
This is looking amazing.
I would have liked to have seen a walk through of it after you planted everything. Maybe can get an update at a later time showing the complete area.
Oooo! I've been wanting to have a pond! This looks great! I'll have to make sure my garden is well before I get anything else though. Looks great kevin!
Kevin is freaking me out with those flip flops while using a mattock.
Do you worry that attracting the hummingbird moth will lead to your tomatoes being decimated by the hornworm?
Im convinced Kevin and Jacques just do these projects so they can play with tools and pretend they are in stardew valley
Accurate
@@epicgardening Who did you marry in Stardew? We need to know.
Awesome!
It's beautiful!
If you look at the composition of the most sought after soil type sandy loam it is roughly seventy percent sand clay can be permanently modified with enough sand, maybe not on a large scale,but certainly in a flower or garden bed or two
Clay + sand + manure= adobe bricks used to make houses. Your soil composition of minerals isn’t really changeable, but my adding organic matter you break up the clay because it chemically breaks apart the clay bonds to each other. Also adds water holding capacity. Please don’t add sand to clay!
So fun! I love it!💙
I know that at least in Colorado small gravel is the best soil amendment (squeegee was what I was recommended by our Denver botanic gardens for sustainable landscaping in clay)
That looks beautiful ❤
Air is pumped in the bags so the fish survive during shipping.
Beautiful pond!
Love the pond!
Thank goodness no toes were injured in this video 😂.....all that chop chop chop action had me worried 😅
making notes on those low groundcovers : )
It’s incredible.
Could you talk about the plants in the pond? You have lilies, right? Are there any lotuses or anything else?
Looks great!! Hate to ask but what happened to the other fish? Are they still there also?
🌱 sweet
Have you guys heard of gypsum? It works great for breaking up clay and makes water soak-in WAYYYYY Better its amazing for clay i would give it a try ifi were you. Just a tip
So curious how much something like this costs! Love that you have a new little ecosystem ❤
Paul, the "new" garden manager? Did jacq get demoted?! Lol. Pond looks great guys!
Jacques is too famous!!
Refreshing stuff, fountain next?
Beautiful
Hi...sorry I didn't reply sooner...came down with the 24-hour flu. I live near Pasadena and we hope to grow cucumbers, zucchini, or maybe potatoes in our above ground planter box about 3' x 6'