BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
The Union County UF-IFAS extension office is about more than just 4-H and the fair. They offer programs for adults as well.
Last week, Union County Extension Agent Jim DeValerio brought in several agents from other counties and two University of Florida professors to offer the first of two workshops on the creation, care, and maintenance of ponds in our area.
The event was held at the Lake Butler Community Center. While people were coming in and getting settled, Tim Wilson, with the St. Johns County Extension Office, offered an opportunity for people to test their skills in identifying water plants. A hot dog dinner preceded the rest of the program, and then, approximately 25 attendees settled down to learn about ponds.
DeValerio started things out with some opening comments and the introduction of the other presenters: Cassidy Dossin Wilson of the Clay County Extension Office, Lizzie Whitehead of Bradford County IFAS, Dr. Stephen Enloe from UF’s Agronomy Department and Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd from the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The first topics to be presented were pond construction, fish stocking, and collecting water and plant samples by DeValerio, Dossin, and Whitehead.
Small, pie pans better than big, coffee cans
DeValerio pointed out that smaller ponds were better than larger ones. All three recommended ponds about the size of the average garden, with one-quarter to one acre being an ideal size range, being sure to leave access all around the perimeter.
They stressed that a pie-pan construction was preferable to a coffee-can construction, with a recommended depth of four to five feet during the wet season. The ratio of depth to surface area and being deep enough is key to ensuring the water carries enough oxygen. Vegetation around the perimeter is a barrier to excessive run-off, and the recommended slope for the sides is a one-inch drop every three feet.
Enloe then spoke about pond management, such as preventing nutrient run-off (e.g., fertilizer) from flowing into the pond, causes and solutions to fish kills, aquatic plant management, pond dyes, aerators, dealing with pond weeds, aquatic herbicides, algae control, and the variety of water plants that are considered undesirable.
Stocking your pond with fish
Dossin then talked about stocking ponds with fish. Why stock the pond? What kinds of fish? How many? How? Topics covered how to select fish, the type and number of those fish you will need to stock, and what fish not to use to stock your pond. She stated that the easiest way was to stock a single species. Also provided in the packet given to all attendees was a list of local and regional sources for various fish types.
The last session in the program was a hands-on experience with live water plants led by Enloe. With samples of about 15 plants set in a tube of water on the back porch of the community center, attendees were invited to identify what plants they could and learn the names and growth habits of those they were not familiar with. Information was also provided to instruct pond owners on collecting water and plant samples for identification and testing.
The program was interesting and understandable, and the presenters worked hard to be helpful to current and future pond keepers. It was an informative evening for all.
If you missed the program, do not despair. Another one is planned for May 7, 2024, at the Lake Butler Community Center. Pre-registration is requested, and the $5 fee may be paid at the door. To register, call the Union County Extension Office at (386) 496-2321, and you will be guaranteed a spot.
