Fish do not like changes in their environment of any kind, including temperature. Any changes add stress to the fish and the larger and faster the changes, the greater the stress. Koi can also become stressed from the temperature change when being transferred to another pond. It is not only the temperature the fish need to be accustomed to but also the pH, hardness and alkalinity of it’s new surroundings.

A huge part of detecting stress is observance. Another big part of Fish pond care is knowing what is normal behavior for your Koi. Fins are often the first body part to deteriorate when fish are stressed or unwell so they can give a good general guide to condition. Examine all fins, especially those underneath the fish, for ragged or uneven edges, tears, splits or bloodshot appearance. Red lines in the Koi fins are a sure sign that your Koi is under stress.
Specific examples of things which can cause stress (stressors) are listed below.

Chemical stressors:Poor Water Quality - low dissolved oxygen, improper pH
Pollution - intentional pollution: chemical treatments - accidental pollution: insect spray, spills
Diet composition - type of protein, amino acids
Nitrogenous and other metabolic wastes - accumulation of ammonia or nitrite

Biological stressors:Population density - crowding
Other species of fish - aggression, territoriality, lateral swimming space requirements
Microorganisms - pathogenic and nonpathogenic
Macroorganisms - internal and external parasites

Physical stressors:Temperature: This is one of the most important influences on the immune system of fish. Light
Sounds
Dissolved Gases

8 Typical stress behaviors and indications to watch for:
Jumping
Remaining near the bottom of the pond
Lying partially on its side
Failing to snorkel near the surface during feeding time
Trying to hide under ledges or under the waterfall
Rubbing against items in the pond, as if to scratch
Swimming lethargically or with a tighter, almost jerky rhythm
Staying by itself; not joining with others to feed

You no doubt have invested a lot of time and money in your fish. Keeping them healthy should be a priority. Stillman Landscape Design & Installation can help you with all of your fish and pond needs. Call us today to schedule your Spring pond clean out or to schedule a consultation regarding your pond environment.

NEXT MONTH: NEW PAVING STONES

2012 People's Choice Award Winner

The 1000 square foot display consisted of a fountain, waterfall, koi pond, patio with stone carpet, flower beds, and evergreens. Perhaps the biggest draw was a television built into the flower bed which displayed videos of Stillman’s work. “We are pleased with the turn out this year and received a lot of positive feedback,” continued Stillman. “The fact that so many people are looking to schedule appointments is a very good sign.” To view a video of the display, CLICK HERE

Stillman Landscape Design & Installation is celebrating it’s sixth year in business and continues to grow and expand year after year. The owner, James Stillman of Sterling, MA, a graduate of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture explains, “I wouldn’t say that I specialize in any one thing. Instead, our approach is to look at every landscape project as a whole, balancing each element.” He continued, “I love the design aspect of my job and taking a clients concept and making it a reality.”

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
COST EFFECTIVE: Hydroseeding is the most economical choice for establishing the desired turf without the expense, time, material costs or installation demands of sodding or traditional hand seeding methods.

QUALITY: The lawn quality that hydroseeding affords is much healthier, greener and longer lasting than sodding or hand seeding applications because the root establishment is deeper into the soil and avoids the shock of being transplanted into foreign soils.

COVERAGE: Hydroseeding provides a thicker, more uniform lawn that essentially consists of a mat of interlocking fibers creating the ideal growing environment that doesn’t have the threat of seams showing as with sod or sparse, patchy areas with hand seeding.

HEALTH: Hydroseeding creates the ideal microenvironment for germinating seed because the materials enhance the process and stimulate the seeds to grow a healthy, deep-rooted system in the ground where moisture is at its greatest.

SAFETY: Hydroseeding is a completely safe and non-toxic method of growing grass that is harmless to kids, pets, and the environment.

WATER: With hydroseeding’s ability to retain up to 10 times its weight in water, it’s definitely proved to be the best method for fast, healthy germination, high plant survival and protection of seeds with a moisture sealant. No other method of growing grass has this water retention advantage.

WHY USE STILLMAN LANDSCAPING?
Because we use our own equipment and special seed mixture, we can save you time and money on your project by not having to use outside vendors or contractors. And because we install it ourselves with a staff of highly trained professionals, you do not have to worry about going through a third party with any questions, concerns or problems.

Call Stillman Landscape today at 978-424-6853 or email us at info@stillmanlandscape.com for more information.

With the arrival of the cooler weather, it’s clear that fall is heavily upon us! Everyone is spending more time inside and the only real thoughts of outside are the leaves covering the landscape. While you may be inside trying to stay warm and getting ready for winter, give your landscape some thought and think of hot sunny days and the warm nights. How will you be enjoying your landscape this coming summer?

Perhaps you will be enjoying your  outdoor living space, whether  it’s on a large pool patio or secluded seating area. Or maybe you dream of coming home to your gracefully curving front walk, meandering to the front door as it welcomes you home from a long work day.  Think of how relaxing it could be sitting in your backyard  enjoying the peace and tranquility of the landscape, while listening to the sound of a babbling brook, watching your Koi fish. 

 Isn’t this what everyone wants in the warmer spring and summer months?  So why not have it installed in the summer, right? Depending on the scope of your landscape project, it may take days or even weeks to have your project designed and built.  And after everything  is finished  you have to wait for the grass to grow back. Why not have your landscape installed this fall while your enjoying the shelter of the indoors so it is ready to enjoy during the summer season?

We can install your landscape project this fall, whether it be a walkway, wall, waterfall , patio or pond, or make improvements to your existing outdooor living space by adding a seating wall or stone bench! We can even prepare all the planting beds for your trees, shrubs, and other softscape installation. Now is the perfect time to begin your landscape installtion.

Contact James@stillmanlandscape.com for more information and ask about our end of season landscape installation specials!

                One of the newest products we came across was a composite paver made of recycled bottles and tires. I could not even tell when looking at this paver, that it was not concrete or clay until the paver was handed to me. It was amazing to see how light weight it was. The color could perfectly replicate any paving stone. I’m extremely excited about being able to offer this paver, not only for aesthetics, but also for going green in a very sustainable way, durability and sustainability! How much greener does it get than recycled bottles and tires! Not only are these pavers an environmentally friendly option, but they also open up options of being in different outdoor spaces you wouldn’t ordinarily think of. A great example of this would be a roof top terrace; where the weight of materials being used is critical, or even on a deck, porch or breezeway! These pavers can be used on any type walkway, patio and driveway. There is also a style that is offered for being a permeable paver. Imagine that, using a permeable paver that allows rainwater to pass through the joints and is made of recycled materials!

If you are interested in other environmentally friendly options in your landscape don’t for get to check out our rainwater harvesting page. For more information or a consultation feel free to contact James at 978 424 6853 or James@stillmanlandscape.com. And remember Think Green!

For more information, please contact:

James Stillman
978-424-6853
james@stillmanlandscape.com

Stillman Landscape Wins Awards at Worcester Flower & Patio Show

 Sterling, Mass. Stillman Landscape walked away with several top awards at the recent Flower & Patio Show, held Feb. 27-March 1 in Worcester’s DCU Center. According to Stillman Landscape principal, James Stillman, the professional landscape design firm won first place for the best water feature in a major display, as well as second place in the waterfall building contest and second place for overall major landscape display.

 ”This show really let us put our best design and landscaping ideas forward,” said Stillman. “With a 20′x20′ display area, we had to focus on the most creative yet functional design that could work in just about anyone’s yard.” According to Stillman, the award-winning water feature included a natural stone watercourse with an 8000-gallons-per-hour, closed circulation water system and a blend of indigenous plants and cultivated garden varietals.

 ”My philosophy is to create water features that look completely natural and will blend perfectly with the scale of the space within which we have to work,” added Stillman. “It’s important that the water feature work in harmony with the rest of the yard or garden.”

 Stillman Landscape also won second place in the water fall building contest, which challenged contestants to design and build a pondless waterfall in six hours using the same amount and type of materials. “We actually used only half the materials that were available because we wanted to emphasize how creative we can be for clients without breaking their budget,” commented Stillman. “We included a combination patio of pavers and stone with a unique, 45-degree-angle band of retaining wall blocks, an antique millstone fountain, and a waterfall using a combination of pumps that created a beautiful babbling brook.”

 Examples of Stillman Landscape’s award-winning designs can be found on the company’s new website, www.stillmanlandscape.com.