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The 2025 Season Is Over Thank You For Supporting Small This Year We cannot thank you enough for being a part of our Backyard Oasis family! 2025 was a big year for us tranitioning to a new location - a building we own that can grow with us. Its crazy to think back to winter last year and the mad dash we made to get us ready in time to open in time for Spring. We weren't even sure we would be able to have fish or plants given how much of a project it was! And yet, 2025 opened even better than we imagined with those in place and all our amazing customers making the transition to the new location to continue supporting small. And spoilers...we are using winter this year to make some fun updates for our 2026 season. Can't spoil anything yet but let's just say there are PLANS upon PLANS getting worked on during this off season to continue to be your best resource to create your dream Backyard Oasis. All that to say...thank you for an awesome 2025 and we honestly can't wait to see you in the Spring! (Unless you need an appointment this winter for supplies of course - then we will get the privilege of seeing you earlier ;) Do You Need Winter Pond Essentials? We get it! Things happen! If you find yourself in need of supplies reach out for an appointment to stock up on: De-icers Pond nets Fish food for colder temps Water treatments and beneficial bacteria If you’re not sure what you might be missing, we’ve put together a simple Winter Pond Prep Checklist to help you make sure you’re fully covered. 👉 Check out the full checklist here. We’ll reopen for the 2026 pond season with regular hours on April 7th, 2026 — but that doesn’t mean we disappear during winter! Open by Appointment During the Off-Season After November 8th our storefront will closed for the 2025 season, but we’ll still be open by appointment throughout the off-season. If you need supplies, have questions, or run into a pond issue, call and leave a detailed message — we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. And if your pond ever freezes over completely , don’t panic, but do act quickly. You have about 72 hours to get it opened up again to keep your fish safe. We’re always here to help you figure out the best solution. Santa Saturdays & Porch Pot Classes We have truly loved offering our Porch Pot Classes and giving back to the community through Santa Saturdays the last several winters. Unfortunately our new building and the completed space available is not large enough to accommodate these events. We are hoping to one day provide events again during the season and will update you with an invite as soon as its possible. See You in the Spring! We can’t thank you enough for another great season. Every year, we’re reminded how special this community of pond lovers is. Take good care of your ponds (and your fish!) this winter, and we’ll see you again in the spring when everything starts to wake up.

Season Closing Soon Don’t Miss Your Chance to Stock Up & Snag Our Upgraded Fish Sale! Pond season is winding down, and as the air cools off, we’re getting ready to tuck things in for winter. But before we do — there’s still time to visit Backyard Oasis and get what you need for a smooth, stress-free winter season. Our last open day of the year is Saturday, November 8th , so if you’ve been meaning to stop in, now’s the time! We’ve Upgraded Our Fish Sale! To wrap up the season right, we’ve upgraded our fish sale — it’s now Buy ONE, Get ONE FREE on all fish , and yes, that means every size is included! Check out the blog post to see what sizes we still have in stock. If you’ve been eyeing a few new additions for your pond, or want to balance out your fish community before winter, this is your last chance before we close for the year. Don’t Forget Your Winter Pond Essentials Before the frost really sets in, make sure your pond is ready. Stock up on: De-icers Pond nets Fish food for colder temps Water treatments and beneficial bacteria If you’re not sure what you might be missing, we’ve put together a simple Winter Pond Prep Checklist to help you make sure you’re fully covered. 👉 Check out the full checklist here. We’ll reopen for the 2026 pond season on April 7th, 2026 — but that doesn’t mean we disappear during winter! Open by Appointment During the Off-Season After November 8th, our storefront will close, but we’ll still be open by appointment throughout the off-season. If you need supplies, have questions, or run into a pond issue, call and leave a detailed message — we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  And if your pond ever freezes over completely , don’t panic, but do act quickly. You have about 72 hours to get it opened up again to keep your fish safe. We’re always here to help you figure out the best solution. See You in the Spring! We can’t thank you enough for another great season. Every year, we’re reminded how special this community of pond lovers is. Take good care of your ponds (and your fish!) this winter, and we’ll see you again in the spring when everything starts to wake up.

Discover the exclusive Scratch and Save cards at Backyard Oasis! Uncover discounts of 10-20% off a wide range of products, from durable Studio M garden décor to Michigan-themed gifts and home accents. Learn how you can receive one of these surprise discount cards and explore our unique offerings, including eco-friendly items and thoughtful bereavement products. Mention this blog post during your visit to receive a Scratch and Save card and enjoy savings on your next purchase. Visit us in Flint, Michigan, to experience the magic of Backyard Oasis!

We’ve moved into a bigger, better location in Flint, MI! Backyard Oasis now offers more space, more pond supplies, and more ways to transform your outdoor space. Conveniently located near Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, and Clarkston, we carry koi fish, aquatic plants, water features, and garden décor—all in a peaceful, inspiring setting.

If you’re thinking about adding new fish to your pond, there’s one simple step that could save your fish from unnecessary stress and even illness: checking your pond’s water temperature. Most pond owners don’t realize that temperature plays a huge role in whether your fish will thrive or struggle in their new environment. To avoid this common mistake, it’s important to know the safe temperature range for introducing fish—and how to adjust your approach if you’re outside the sweet spot. The Safe Temperature Range for Adding Fish Fish can be safely introduced into your pond within a specific temperature range, but you’ll need to follow the right steps. The ideal range for introducing new fish is 65°F to 75°F , but it's possible to safely add fish outside this range—as long as you take extra precautions. Absolute Minimum: 50°F Absolute Maximum: 85°F Ideal Range: 65°F to 75°F Common Mistakes Based on Pond Temperature When adding new fish, certain mistakes can put their health at risk, especially if you're working at the edges of the safe temperature range. Here’s how to avoid those mistakes, broken down by temperature range.

Your pond is a tranquil escape—a place where your fish thrive, plants bloom, and you unwind. But when leaves, twigs, and debris start cluttering the water, your serene pond can quickly turn into a messy headache. That's where pond nets come into play! This guide will show you why pond nets are essential, how to choose the right pond net from Backyard Oasis, and tips for installing and caring for them. Plus, we’ll introduce you to our Pre-Fall Pond Prep Service for a hassle-free pond experience! Why Every Pond Needs a Pond Net Pond nets may seem like a small addition to your water feature, but their impact is far from minor. They are essential for preserving both the health and beauty of your pond throughout the year. To see the difference for yourself, consider this fascinating story from a fellow pond enthusiast. Their experience shows how a pond net can prevent murky, tea-colored water, underscoring the remarkable benefits of using the right pond net. (The dramatic before-and-after photos are truly eye-opening!) Here’s why every pond can benefit from having a net: Prevents Debris Buildup When leaves and debris fall into your pond, they can form a layer of sludge that degrades water quality and encourages algae growth. As the debris decays, it releases ammonia, which can harm your fish and, in severe cases, even be fatal. A pond net serves as a protective barrier, capturing debris before it sinks, and ensuring your water stays clean and healthy. Protects Fish from Predators A pond net does more than just keep out debris—it also serves as a vital shield against predators like raccoons, birds, and cats that might target your fish as easy prey. As the weather cools in the fall, your fish become less active, making them more vulnerable. By covering your pond with a net, you provide essential protection and create a safer environment for your aquatic friends. Reduces Pond Maintenance With a pond net in place, you’ll spend less time scooping out leaves and debris, which means more time enjoying your beautiful water feature. Fewer leaves in the pond mean fewer chances for clogs in your pumps and filters, leading to less frequent maintenance. Eases Winter Preparation Installing a pond net in the fall is one of the easiest ways to get your pond ready for winter. It keeps most of the leaves and debris out, making the winterization process smoother and preventing the buildup of decaying matter that can harm your pond’s ecosystem. How to Choose the Right Pond Net Finding the perfect pond net for your water feature is easy with our selection at Backyard Oasis. Here’s what to consider: Measure Your Pond Size Start by measuring your pond’s dimensions to ensure you get a net that fits. Our nets come in a range of sizes to cover any pond, from small garden features to larger koi ponds. Select the Best Mesh Size The mesh size of your pond net will determine what type of debris it captures. Fine mesh nets are great for catching small debris like pine needles and tiny leaves, while larger mesh sizes are better suited for bigger leaves and twigs. We offer a variety of options, and our team can help you pick the ideal mesh size for your specific needs. Opt for Durable Materials At Backyard Oasis, our pond nets are crafted from premium, UV-resistant materials designed to stand up to Michigan’s unpredictable weather. Made from durable polypropylene mesh, these nets are not only tough against sun and wear but also environmentally friendly and UV treated for long-lasting performance. This ensures that your pond is protected year-round without the worry of degradation or easy tearing. How to Install and Remove Your Pond Net When to Install Your Pond Net Install your pond net in early fall, just before the leaves start to drop. If you have concerns about predators, you may want to keep your net up year-round. Here is a step-by-step installation guide...
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