What an inspiration this thread has been, and it's also partly responsible for me registering with this site after have lurked for ages. Of course I should also mention that I'd like to throttle Wifezilla for putting so much temptation in front of me.....lol. That's right, you've guessed it, I have just started digging a pond outside as well. It's a really killer here in Thailand because the weather is so hot, but oh well, I will get it done. I'm aiming to make mine slightly bigger, but not much.
Anyway, I know you have been really interested in planting useful greenery in and around your pond, including food which people can eat. Have you ever considered Chinese Water Spinach? If you Google it you'll finds loads of useful information, but as I grow it myself all the time, let me share a few points......
It's super easy to grow from seed during warm weather and it can tolerate full sun or shade. It can be grown in containers, in beds, or in any body of water such as an aquarium or a pond. In fact, it will even grow if you leave it standing in a bucket of water, but it won't be as vibrant as it would be in a pond. The only thing you need to watch for is the fact that ducks, geese and chickens go mad for it, so if they get at it, you'll have nothing left. We grow ours for the table and also for my chooks and my two ducks. We currently let is grow in a small plastic pond where the chickens and ducks can't get can't get at it. We have about a dozen small fish in there as well, and between them and the Chinese Water Spinach, the water stays crystal clear. I also only clean out the sediment once a year as there is so little of it anyway. We've been eating our home grown water spinach for almost four years now and none of us have died, so I can't see it being a problem.
I would seriously recommend you try some in your pond, and before I forget, if you allow it to bloom, you get lovely flowers as well which in turn will provide you with ample seeds.
If you Google it, I'm sure you'll manage to find a supply, or alternatively, you can get the seeds on
Ebay. Apart from myself, I think there are a few others selling them as well. Please don't think I'm trying to advertise myself........lol. In fact, I'd be glad to send you a bunch of seeds for free, but I'm afraid you'd have to pay for the shipping....lol.
Anyway, if you're still with your pond, do check it out.
Lastly, thanks for your awesome post.
