There's loads of knowledgable people here, I learn much from them every day! :) About the goldfish though... this seems to be an immediate issue. The one thing I really suggest (besides what the others have said) is to take sample of pond water up to the local fish/aquarium/pond store and have them test it for you. Many places will do this for free, as you're just starting out you might save yourself that headache of trying to learn about water testing kits. In the long run, however, you should get yourself a testing kit and learn to use it. It is a bit cold there still, fish should still be in hybernation or just coming out of (unless you keep it heated in winter - do you?) sleep. So if they're dying off this early there could be something seriously out of whack. Get your water checked for ammonia, nitrate levels and PH, as well as anything else they can tell you. A PH crash can kill fish quickly, as can large levels of ammonia or lethal gasses (caused by decomposing matter) built up in the substrate. Patial water changes can initially help to balance the pond and reduce stress on the fish, but the reasons for the ill water conditions need to be addressed for a permenant solution. Have you cleaned it out yet? If you have - did the fish begin to die before or after you did? My bet would be either a ph crash or gas build up. I like to drain and clean once a year in the Spring. I do save some of the water and filter media to save back the beneficial bacteria that the others have mentioned. I go out every couple days or once a week to net out the stray leaves and debris that have found their way in, to keep it from builing up on the bottom and creating stagnant gas. Good luck with your pond, I am sure with help here (and freindly terms with your local aquatics retailer) you'll learn pretty quick. Ponding does take a fair amount of work, but is extremely relaxing! Have fun and good luck!

And so it begins! I too have the rose addiction. I swore to myself that there would be no more roses until the fall because it is too hot right now, I couldn't afford it, it would be more work, I would have to be exposed to more fungicides, etc..... Well, I have been good for a while, but Sunday I had to get a filter for my A/C and I went to Home Depo. I did NOT go into the garden center, BUT they had the most beautiful roses displayed outside the door of the main entrance. They were on fortuniana rootstock! I bought St. Patrick and Our Lady of Guadeloupe because I could not possibly be expected to choose between them. Now they are sitting on my front porch waiting to be planted. I fell off the wagon.

Aw, thanks for the welcome. I can't wait to post more pictures, once I get more blooms. I really enjoy seeing everyone's beautiful flowers. Since I am a newbie to daylilies, this year I stuck to buying older, inexpensive varieties - so I hope that I don't bore anyone with my obscure flowers. It is just such a pleasure to find people who "get it" and can appreciate my flower obsession. My garden is planted in a community garden, and the vast majority of people plant only vegetables/herbs. I know that some of them think I am crazy for planting only flowers, but I tell them that I help to attract tons of bees and butterflies to pollinate their crops!

The concrete pillar things are weird... would it be possible to paint them same color as the brick (the mid red tone) to help them blend in to the background? And yes with the grey door and roof I think the brass looks out of place and silver tones will look better. And I think I'd go with black trim!