Into the Weeds (2): A Reader’s Questions on Lawns and Ponds

Restoring and Maintaining a Natural Pond is a Multipronged Effort

The majority of this post and last week’s are for paid subscribers. The posts are less philosophical than usual and delve a bit deeper into some familiar subjects.

In last week’s entry, you will recall that subscriber Chad G. posed the following with regard to his property on Eastern Long Island, NY:

We have two acres of grass around the house we are building. What would you do to figure out how to change it? We have a landscape architect. Just rely on them? A small amount of grass is fine.

Also, we are considering building a swimming pond. Not sure if you’ve seen them but they look natural but it’s lined. What’s your view on that? We have another pond but it’s kind of gross. Murky water. Maybe there is a natural way to clean it up with plantings but it will never be an enticing swim.

Last week I addressed the lawn and swimming pond portions. Today, I address the pond question he touched upon. My experience managing ponds for nature stretches back more than 30 years and has mostly involved trial and error, although a recently acquired masters degree in environmental studies informs some of my thinking.