AboutJonathan Cauble Expertise I can answer all questions relating to outdoor water gardens. Anything from fish & plant health, water chemistry, and pond construction to equipment recommendations.
Experience I worked in a water garden specialty store for three years as assistant manager. I am also founder and president of Aquatech, LLC Aquarium Services of Virginia. I have personally troubleshooted over 100 ponds and countless aquariums.
Question I bought some plants for my pond this year that I have not had before. One is watercress and the other Yellow Floating Heart. Both seem to have been damaged by the frost we had last night. The watercress is in a pot, the other is submerged. Can these plants be saved? If so, what do I need to do to keep them over the winter?
I live in zone 7. The pond is small and shallow - more of a "water feature". It occasionally freezes over.
Answer You can eat the rest of the watercress. It's healthy and goes great on a sandwich.
I don't mean any offense to yellow floating heart but it is considered by the feds to be "noxious" and "invasive." I would just get rid of it and pick a new plant next year.
Most plants native to zone 7 (a or b) can be preserved during a clod winter in one of two ways.
1) Cut the plant down to about 1/5 of its original height. This triggers the plant to stop using so many nutrients and it sort of hibernates.
2) Prune the plant. Place it in a trash bag. Keep it wet. Don't fertilize it.
