In recent weeks, we have had excellent weather and it is the perfect opportunity to be outside enjoying the fresh air. Decks and patios are the perfect addition for the home. It is no secret that it is easier to clean up after our guests when we entertain outside. So go ahead and treat yourself to the deck your neighbors will be talking about. There are many nice things one can do to their decks. If the deck has a roof, it is a great idea to add a ceiling fan. If you have a deck and you wanted to do a little more work, adding a gazebo would be the perfect idea. Decks-R-Us offers gazebos that can be tailored to what you really want. Whether your yard is small or large, gazebos are an attractive entity. Also, it is strongly recommended to get the screen package so you are protected from mosquitoes and other pesky bugs. John Stolztfus of Decks-R-Us, advises his customers to make sure they get what they want and hire a contractor they like. John has a good reputation and has been in the business for seven years; he can be reached at 800-854-0269.

This year, give your mom a pond for mother’s day. Bill Farmer of Farmer Browns Ponds truly enjoys his work and offers the professionalism and value to his clients. He digs everything by hand and commonly uses liners made from rubber. The liners can offer twenty year warranties and tend to be less expensive and more reliable than the pre-formed liners, which can freeze in the ground. Also, there is more flexibility of forming the pond into the shape you desire. If you intend on adding fish, keep in mind it may be one fish per three inches. When you get your pond, be sure to contact Bill Farmer at 610-656-8204, who has been in business for eight years.

Q & A:

Is there a good way to keep my pond cleaned?

Bill Farmer advises to acquire a good filter, one that is updated and has self cleaning options.

Michelle Russo of World Wide Aquarium & Pets in Upper Darby gives her advice to readers:

What is the best way to beautify a pond in time for Mother’s Day?

MR: A beautiful pond not only makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift but it continues to bring pleasure throughout the summer months. It is possible to bring instant beauty to a pond by adding a few select fish (provided the temperature is right), several tadpoles, and some live plants. The koi fish as well as the shubunkins are colorful and intricately patterned. Don’t be too quick to select your fish. Rather we recommend that you watch the fish for a few minutes and then choose the ones that you find most appealing. Add in a tadpole or two, perhaps at different stages of their development. This makes the pond watching more interesting. Last of all, place several pond plants in the water for additional color and shape. The plants are also beneficial for aeration purposes as they add oxygen to the water. Some of our favorites are the hyacinth, water lettuce, and parrots feathers.

Can you simply place the fish into the pond water without any preparation?

MR: Assuming that all the preliminary work has been done to clean the pond and ensure that the pond equipment is functioning properly, the next step is to prepare the water for fish. A “water prep” product should be used first. You can then acclimate the fish to their new home. A simple rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons of water. Therefore, a 6 inch koi would require 60 gallons of water. It is perfectly acceptable to add several fish at once as long as you follow the rule and do not overcrowd your pond. This could result in problems down the road. It is always best to start slowly. After the fish have been added, it is advisable to use a bio-boost product that will add bacteria to the pond water.