You have had the chance to enjoy your pond throughout the summer. But every season welcomes new challenges. A pond that has a lot of fish and plants will need extra care during the fall and before winter. Taking the time to do a few simple things will winterize the pond. Here are the tips to ensure that your pond is safe, secure, and ready for next winter.
Prepare Your Fish For The Winter
The first thing you have to do is take care of life inside the pond. If your pond has fish, it is recommended that you switch to wheat germ-based food as it is easier to digest compared to other food. This will help fish store food for the upcoming season. Fish are usually inactive during winter and their food intake also drops. When the temperature drops to 40 degrees, the fish in the pond will stop eating altogether. It is recommended that you stop feeding them actively. Just give them as much they can consume in five minutes. Excess food will cause more algae to grow.
Take Care Of The Plants
Moving aquatic plants is an essential step in pond care before winter. If you have a pond that is deep and does not freeze completely, you can move the more hardy plants into deep water. This will prevent the roots from freezing. If you have a pond that freezes completely, you can try doing a few things. For instance, you can move the tropical lilies or tender plants indoors. You need to wrap each of the plants in damp newspaper and store them in a trash bag and keep checking every few weeks.
Avoid Changing Water During Winter
Fall is the ideal season to change the water in the pond. However, ensure that you clean the pond thoroughly. The dirt and debris will decompose with time. And over a period, the waste transforms into Hydrogen Sulfide, which is a toxic gas that has the potential to negatively affect life within the pond. Retain mud and old sediments as fish burrow into mud and sediment during winter.
Choose Pond Netting During Fall
A net can protect the pond from falling leaves. It can also minimize the amount of debris. It will reduce the load of timely maintenance.
Opt For A Floating De-Icer
Your preparations will remain incomplete without a floating de-icer. A floating electric de-icer creates gaps between ice blocks and serves as the spot from where harmful gases can release. The process ensures that the water is safe for aquatic plants and fish in winter. Besides, you need to store your motor pump in a cooler and dry space. A running motor pump will decrease the pond’s temperature, making the pond habitable and safe for existing fish and aquatic plants.
Concluding Thoughts
Caring for your pond and various water features during the winter season is not as difficult as you imagine. Our tips will help you prepare well and keep your pond and life within it safe.
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