1.     What time of the year is best for launching an Islandscape?
Islandscapes can be launched any time of the year. In fact, placing them in position on top of an ice covered waterway is a method we have tested with success. Another effective approach is fall seeding of islands which positions them for nice green up the following spring. But as you might expect, launching an island in the spring or summer means that your island can green up and add to your waterscape quickly. Islandscapes have also been launched with just a sod covering, so they were immediately green, in Canada literally just a few days before ice up. All of these methods work. Incidentally, root growth on bluegrass covered sod islands, in a reasonably well aerated waterway, averaged slightly over one half inch per day during summer months. However, once roots grew through the island thickness and were accessible to fish the bluegrass sod roots were aggressively grazed. The bluegrass on the island flourished despite this grazing.

2.     Can I fertilize my Islandscape?
Yes, but, very, very carefully. In fact, it is usually best not to fertilize. After all, it is frequently nutrients, as in fertilizer, which causes water quality problems in the first place. If you must fertilize, use a product that is designed for the wet conditions associated with hydroponic settings. Normal fertilizer can break down too quickly and Burn Island plants, where a specially designed wetland fertilizer is designed to release slowly. For perspective, wetlands are actually biofilters that incorporate large volumes of plant and microbial life, which typically compete aggressively to sequester whatever nutrients filter through. Your Islandscape is designed to function the same way, and keeping its plant and microbial community hungry and searching for nutrients will result in a healthier waterway.

 3.     Can I move an Islandscape from one pond to another? Are there other ways to adjust Islandscapes to achieve the effect I want?
Islandscapes are easily moved. Pull them onto a tarp on a fairly level shoreline, let them drain for an hour or so, then carry them to the new location. If you are going to transport your wet island be sure to carefully cover the entire island to prevent plant desiccation. You can use a tether cable to attach an anchor to your island, or attach additional Islandscapes to each other to create larger islands or Islandscape archipelagos.

4.     Can Islandscapes fight bank erosion? Will they prevent wave erosion?
A strategically positioned Islandscape can function as a breakwater. Islandscapes will dampen wave action.

5.     How do I go about up-sizing my Islandscape?
You can either buy a bigger island, or join many smaller islandscapes together with tethers. The number of islands you can join together is limited only by the space you have available.

6.     How long will an Islandscape last?
Your Islandscape is warranted free of manufacturing defects for five years - but will last for much longer. Keeping your Islandscape away from direct exposure to UV rays is the best way to ensure the longevity of your island. Protect foam nodules and the matrix itself by planting with foliage, sod, or turf all the way to the water line.

7.     Is it important or useful to anchor my Islandscape in one spot? If so, how are they anchored?
A disadvantage of leaving your Islandscape unanchored is that if your pond water level changes your Islandscape may hang up against a shoreline, or can move to block your pond skimmer. We recommend positioning your island in an optimal spot by tying an anchor cord or rope to the single "D" ring that comes attached to the underside of your Islandscape.

8.     Will ducks or geese graze on my planted Islandscape? Will fish graze on plant roots that grow through the island?
A carefully designed planting strategy can either encourage or discourage grazing by waterfowl, and root grazing by certain fish species. With thoughtful plant selection Islandscapes can assist you in the stewardship of your waterway. You can use your Islandscape to lure waterfowl away from other sites, to feed fish, or to provide more secure nest sites for waterfowl.