This week I managed to convince a few friends that it would be a great idea to go with me to the lake and help collect sufficient snails to keep my garden pond clean. Sometimes we have a fairly mild winter and the snails winter over in the bottom of the pond, among the decayed leaves. Sometimes we have a very harsh winter. The past winter proved to be the latter.
And in case anyone's worried, I checked the Wisconsin DNR website to determine which snails could not be collected. None of the forbidden snails reside in the lakes in our area, so armed with a bucket for snails and fortified with a lunch from a local restaurant, the four of us trekked along to the lake.
Intrepid Snail-Collecting Assistants
At first, it seemed to be pretty slim pickins, but when we ventured to another spot, we found several snails just begging to be noticed. Without soliciting help, we also gained a good number of snails from a group of kids who wondered what on earth we were doing - and then joined in the exciting hunt with us.
'Pick me! Pick me!'
Kate's lovely hand adorned with happy snail
Snails in bucket
along with some sand and a reflection of the trees overhead
The snaily shoreline
And actually, they were in slightly deeper water this year.
New Home Away From Home
Our garden pond, where the snails will enjoy keeping the algae off the rubber liner
Thank you to my friends for accompanying me to the lake. I don't know about them, but I had a great time - and our pond will be very happy and healthy because of their efforts. A few pond plants and some snails keep our pond clean all summer and fall.
Now I just need to get a few fish.
P.S. If you're interested in building your own garden pond, here's the post I wrote on the making of our garden pond.
Snail Haiku:
Living in the lake
Woke up in a big bucket
Mom and dad you there?
C'mon, you know you want to add your own Snail Haiku! Feel free to put it in a comment below. :-)
(I never claimed to be good at this.)
(I never claimed to be good at this.)
***
'Patchouli Incense'
All-Natural, Handcrafted Vegan Soap
with essential oils
with essential oils
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your pond is so beautiful. I had no idea snails were good for ponds or that they would be in the water to be picked up. i have never seen a snail in water. and only a very few in our yard, maybe 5 all the years here. learning new thing s daily in blogland.
ReplyDeleteTis a lovely pond. We usually try to get rid of snails here from eating my strawberries.
ReplyDeletePeople with bare feet..
ReplyDeleteWading into the water..
Snails slip,crawl and hide.
A lovely pond and a fun day for you catching the pond cleaners.
Balisha
What a great idea to collect snails! You get a fun outing along with it too!
ReplyDeleteA fine series and informative narrative describing the process of collecting.
ReplyDeletetoo cute - your haiku. :)
ReplyDeletelove the garden pond! here, the egrets and herons would be fishing, non-stop. the dogs would be diving in to cool down.
Fun post! It's hard to have ponds in our area too....racoons! My friend finally gave up on her's after the racoons ate all of her fish, several times. She tried screens and all!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of snail picking! Sounds like something the little ones would love to do. You have a beautiful pond.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun and a good find for your pond too.
ReplyDeleteHI Judy What a great idea to rope in your friend to find snails for your lovely pond. Margaret
ReplyDeleteFun, Fun, Fun!
ReplyDeleteI think your pond is beautiful. Someday I hope to have a garden pond too. :-)
AH, your garden pond is lovely. I would love one but think it would be a mossie magnet.
ReplyDeleteFun! Lovely pictures too.
ReplyDeleteAh, intrepid hunters! You were rewarded and the snails were too! I hope they enjoy their new home.
ReplyDeleteFor a moment I thought you were collecting them for dinner! What a great idea for your pond, good luck with the fish! Take care. Chel x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment today. What a lovely post and I did connect and read the one on building the pond.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment today. What a lovely post and I did connect and read the one on building the pond.
ReplyDeleteWe use a snti- algae additive for our pond...it's safe for birds. I never thought about gathering snails. Good the kids wanted to help. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteHmm.. My neighbor has a pond. Wonder if he knows about snails?
ReplyDeleteThe pond is so lovely ... sigh. How wonderful to have such a peaceful setting!
ReplyDeleteNever in my life have I heard of snailing!!!! That's just awesome:)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pond too!! xx
I love your pond!! I already showed my husband your blog post explaining the making of your pond!! I can't wait to use your guide to help create my own!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pond and what a great bunch of helpers.
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pond you have there my friend. And how smart you are to think of collection snails to keep it clean. I never would have thought of that. sandie
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun little outing that turned out to be. I thought you were going to say you dined on escargot but I am glad you put them in your pond instead! You were lucky to find them! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteGlad you're gone to camp.
ReplyDeleteDad and I need a rest.
We will miss you.
(As you see, I haven't done this before either and by the sounds of it maybe this should be my last.) Lol!
Glad you're gone to camp.
ReplyDeleteDad and I need a rest.
We will miss you.
(As you see, I haven't done this before either and by the sounds of it maybe this should be my last.) Lol!
So much fun you are friend.
ReplyDeleteI wanna find snails.
Woolie Blessings
my grandson, henry, started building a small pond in his backyard...i can't wait to see the finished pond when he gets back from vaca in Florida! your pond is lovely!
ReplyDelete^)^ linda
I love your pond, Judy! And I'm glad you got some help in getting those snails. Seems like a big chore to do just by yourself... plus it's always fun to have a little company :)
ReplyDeleteI wish you were local, we've got TONS of snails in our garden! We take them out the back gate so they can live on the mountainside instead :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful little pond! I don't think I'll ever have one quite like yours - we live on top of a hot dry hill... and our dogs would probably either drink it dry or lay in, or both ;-) But if ever I do, I'll have to remember about the snails.
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating, Judy! I wonder if the same snails are the ones in our garden? I have tinny ones there that pop up after a rain.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you so much for sharing your story with me as we are facing losing Mom. You are such a sweetheart, and we had a similar experience with the chaplain of all people. She was insisting that Mom was afraid, and she clarified that indeed she was not nor had she ever been afraid, and her earnestness in standing her ground came through loud and clear. I am proud of you for standing up for The Lord.
Love you much,
Sheila
What a pretty little pond! And now it will stay that way. I love that the kids came along and helped. Very nice and a good lesson for them, hopefully! Love the photos and your post!
ReplyDeleteThat sounded fun! Your pond is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesday!! Did not see a link to the blog hop if you could put one, thanks bunches!!! :)
ReplyDelete