In This Issue...

* Fall Care For Your Pond Or Water Feature

* Mums Are Here!

* Secret Sale - for E-News recipients only!

* Upcoming Events

Getting Your Water Feature Prepared For Winter...

It may seem too early to be thinking about winterizing your water feature, but cooler temperatures are right around the corner, and it's always a good idea to plan ahead!

Whether you have a concrete fountain, pond, or boulder fountain, it is important to properly "shut-down" your feature for the winter. If you just leave your water feature as-is over the winter, it is likely that you will start the spring with leaks, decomposing debris, and a broken pump. To avoid these problems and more, you need to follow a few simple steps.

1) Clean Up. This may sound like a simple step, but it is important to thoroughly clean your water feature before winter comes. Get a hose and a scrub brush and clean up all of that accumulated debris and sludge. If you do this step now, you'll be able to start the spring with a clean, "stink-free" water feature. If you have a pond, it is a good idea to invest in a pond net. You can place the net over the water in the fall to catch the leaves. This is an easy, inexpensive step that will make final cleaning much easier!

2) Remove And Clean The Pump. It is important to remove the pump from your water feature over the winter. Cleaning the pump will help keep it running in top form. It is a good idea to store the pump inside to prevent any water still left in the pump from freezing and breaking any components. It is recommended to keep the pump (if it is submersible) in a bucket of water to keep the moving parts and seals wet.

3) Drain The Water Feature. It is important to drain your water feature to prevent the basin or pond liner from cracking if the water would freeze. If you have a concrete fountain or urn fountain, you should cover the basin with a tarp to prevent snow or rain from sitting in the basin and potentially freezing. If you have a pond with fish, you may choose to purchase a pond heater, rather than draining your pond and attempting to move the fish inside.

If you properly shut down your water feature for the winter, you will enjoy a problem-free start up next spring. And of course, Iowa Outdoor Products is here to help. We offer complete shut-down and start-up services for any water feature. Please contact us if you would like to have us shut-down your water feature this fall.

Questions on anything you've read here? Call us today at 515.277.6242, or click here to contact us via our website!

Mums Are Here! Add some spice to your fall landscape

Mums are the perfect way to add some color and fun to your landscape or front porch this fall. You can choose from a variety of colors and sizes. We even offer several varieties in decorative terra cotta colored plastic pots. They're ready to put on your patio or front porch - no need to re-pot them! Stop in today before they're gone!

Shhh...it's the secret sale

Take 40% Off Any Regular Priced, In-Stock Tree! All you have to do is mention this e-newsletter.

This offer is good through the month of September, and it's ONLY for e-newsletter subscribers!

Upcoming Events

In Progress Now - Annuals And Pond Plants On Sale

Save 50% on all in-stock annuals, hanging baskets, and pond plants.

In Progress Now - Clearance On Select Plants

You'll find clearance prices on select shrubs and perennials...check it out before they're gone!

In Progress Now - 30% Off Pots And Outdoor Accessories AND Clearance On Select Indoor Accessories And Gifts

August 31st - September 21st - 20% Off All In-Stock Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials (excludes clearance plants and mums)

Saturday, September 26th: 11am-noon - Fall Garden Care Seminar

Learn the steps to take to ensure that your garden comes back next spring looking its best. Our staff will go over basic pruning techniques, as well as which plants need fall pruning, and which plants do not. You'll also learn other measures to take to protect your landscape investment from the winter cold and hungry critters, and how to maximize your garden's ornamental value during those winter months. Enjoy 30% off on mulch, garden tools and fall care products all day long!