Some of us like to hold onto that endless summer as long as we can. Like it or not, the colder air, shorter days, and the shedding of multi-colored leaves from the trees signifies a changing of the season is coming . Homeowners across the country take precautions to protect their landscapes from the harsh reality of winter. Water features require special consideration when preparing your pond for the change in weather as winter sets in.
Pond maintenance chores in the fall and winter vary depending on where you live, but there are some basic guidelines to help your aquatic plants and finned friends weather the chill of Mother Nature. Here are ten tips to ensure you have a healthy pond when Spring comes back around.
Remove Debris
Decaying leaves and foliage produce toxic gasses that can harm your fish so you want to remove this debris before the cold temperatures are consistent. You don’t need to remove every single last leaf, but try to remove the majority.
Net the Pond
Install Protective Pond Netting over your pond before the leaves start to fall and your maintenance will be much easier. Carefully roll up the net and discard the leaves that were caught.
Eliminate Fallen Leaves
If you choose not to use a net over the surface of your pond, you’ll need to remove the build-up of leaves from the bottom of the pond. Use a long handled pond net to scoop them out.
Add Cold Water Bacteria
Add Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria to the pond once the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Use twice weekly for two weeks, and then once per week until the water starts to freeze.
Trim All Aquatic Plants
Trim back leaves and stems to 2 to 3″ above the base of the plant. This keeps dead foliage from decomposing in the pond.
Stop Feeding Fish
Once temperatures drop to 50 degrees, stop feeding your fish. They need to get ready to hibernate and you’ll want to avoid any metabolic complications.
The team at New England Aquatic Landscaping wants you to spend your time ENJOYING your pond not working on your pond. We offer maintenance packages that handle all tasks during all seasons to ensure that your pond is always in the nest shape. To learn more, schedule a call with us or download our brochure for a breakdown of what is included.
