Martjane43, This is an interesting situation. I have a couple of different thoughts but none of them make much sense. The first is that when it gets cold outside the water becomes ice and expands. But even if the pond froze solid it would not expand enough to go from half full to totally full. The other is that when it gets cold the ground water under the pond rises. The only way that this would make sense is that you have a drainage line that freezes up and doesn't allow the ground water to drain out and it rises in the ground pushing the water up in the pond. If this is not what is happening then to have a better idea what is happening I need more information. First is how big is the pond and how deep? The more important information is what else happens when the weather gets cold. Does it rain when it gets cold and dry out when it gets warm? Mike

Your plan sounds good to me, but I would definitely consider some kind of rodent deterrent. You don't want to pull the roses out in spring to find the canes gnawed down to stubs! (What sounds cozy for your roses would be a wonderful winter home for mice, too.) Some people use D-Con or similarly poisoned pellets; I've had good success with regular Bounce fabric softner sheets tucked into the crown of the rose. Mice seem to hate the smell. Good luck! Anne

We should be so lucky! Got another 4+ inches yesterday with 30 mph winds...Another mess out there...So sick of it this year! Monday is March first...at least we'll get a few good days to make the bad ones easier to take... I've got old 6 foot drift with another foot or more on top now! Might be July before we get all melted... Eliot

Thanks so much for all your input. We will plant it in a different spot. Tsugajunkie, what do you suppose is causing so many issues with pines? I see you are in SE WI as well. My folks have a bunch of neighbor's that grow Pinus strobus without any problems. Their trees look to be about 20+ years old. Off topic, was it you that I met about 4 yrs ago that came to Bayview to look at Picea orientalis Aureaspicata because I was moving to FL? If so, you are going to kick yourself in the butt. I successfully transplanted it here at my folks house & looks great! It's been a while since I have had my head in conifers that can grow here in WI. Slowly things are coming back & thanks for your help.