Hard Freezes and Delicate (?!) Fish

Our quackaponics system has actually been humming along quite well. Sure, the edging needs to be finished, a proper fence put in, and more plants,  but the fish are multiplying,  the ducks are happy, and the algae is, relatively, in check. The 3+ thousand gallon system seemed immune to cold snaps as it is always moving, in direct sun, and in the deepest spot over 6 feet. Unfortunately, the South experienced extended,  uncommon cold where multiple days in a row didn't see the daily high edge past 38 degrees. Our normally resilient fish could not compete. The stress overtook 9 of our biggest tilapia and 2 of our foot long plecos. It was sad, but others across the region saw greater percentages die off.

Instead of adding them to the compost, I decided to make 2 new garden beds in the chicken yard lined with their, healthy looking, remains. One area was planted with the green manure mix we commonly use, comprised of oat, vetch, and peas. The other was planted with a new blend, intended specifially as forage for the chickens and ducks. It contains annual and perennial ryegrass, buckweat, flax, millet, peas, red clover, and alfalfa. I don't expect all of it to germinate and take hold, but in hopes of not having 11 fish perish for no reason, some is better than none. We've also seen such slow progress that the 2 small beds are heartening to watch grow.

Not the prettiest, but the first beds made while wearing The Peanut on my back so it's a huge win my book!