Turtle Pond

As soon as we discovered Wood turtles and Painted turtles on our farm I began planning strategies for expanding their habitat. doubled the size of our turtle pond in 2009.  I'm always impressed with how quickly aquatic plants and pioneer species (and invasives) return when there is water.  Our ponds were designed as vernal ponds, relying only on winter and spring rains, but all hold water all year.  The original turtle pond was a tiny, deeper complement to the frog pond, divided by a 15-foot walkway.  The new pond is over three times larger. Special credit goes to Dale Roberts of the Java Shack in Arlington, who while visiting for a recreational weekend, drove the bobcat for nearly three hours straight and dug much of the shallow end.

July 2009

May 2011