October 1996

Time to get ready for winter!

Construction

I knew from the previous winter that I had to place some netting over the pond to keep the thousands of black walnut leaves from all falling into the water. I also knew that soon snow would accumulate on the netting and thus that it had to be installed rather securely.

I decided to build a sturdy metal frame (using a bunch of recycled tubes) that I could reuse year after year. While I was at it, I also added a clear plastic wind break on the west side of the pond, which is the prevailing wind direction. I didn't know how long this somewhat fragile membrane would last, but it was worth a $10 try...

The photos don't show the frame too well. Basically it's a box about 4' high above the pond. In the front, two posts are stuck into the ground and in the back the horizontal tubes are fastened to the fence.
Here you can see (or rather guess) the transparent wind break. I bought the stuff used to place over windows on the outside. It lasted for a while, but eventualy gave in to the wind gusts. Next year, I'll place it over some chicken wire...

Last modified Wednesday, November 04, 1998. Thorsten von Eicken