Fall & Winter Pond Care

Fall is the time to put your water garden to bed for the season.

The following are some tips for getting your water garden ready for the winter season.

The Pond and Water

• If possible, cover the pond with netting to keep the leaves from falling into the pond. This is often not possible with larger ponds.
• After the leaves have finished falling, remove sludge and organic matter by vacuuming.
• Continue using beneficial bacteria to help accelerate the decomposition of leaves, scum, sediment, and other organic matter during the fall and winter months.

The Pond Plants

• Stop fertilizing pond plants
• Trim hardy plants back.
• Remove tropical plants

The Fish

• Reduce feeding of fish and switch to a wheatgerm based food when water temperatures are between 40°- 50°F.
• Stop feeding the fish when water temperature drops below 40°F.
• Products to replenish vitamins and minerals are also encouraged.

The Equipment

• Remove delicate hardware and drain plumbing
  • Disconnect UV lights and store indoors
  • Drain and clean external biofilters
  • Drain all tubing and pipes not buried beneath the frost line
• Raise/Remove Pumps
  • Remove, drain, and store pump OR
  • If you decide to keep your pump running throughout the winter, raise it so that it draws off of mid-water level. Never draw water from the bottom of the pond during the winter - this keeps the water warmer and more stable for fish to winter over in.
• Connect De-icer
  • Keep a hole in the ice so that gas exchange can occur.
  • A floating pond de-icer or an air pump and stone will keep a hole in the ice.
  • Do not forcefully break a hole in the ice because that can be fatal to fish.

Questions about Water Gardening and Pond Care?

Visit the forum labeled "Water Gardening" on our Viette Discussion Board. If you have water gardening or pond questions, please feel free to post them here.

This water gardening tip is compliments of Harper Statuary & Water Gardens. For more great water gardening tips and information, visit Harper's Statuary & Water Gardens!