Water Gardening Direct Blog

Autumn Special Offers

Autumn is here….

So winter will soon be on its way.

Getting your pond ready for the winter is a much nicer process if you remember to take action whilst the pond water is still a nice temperatue. Detailed below are some suggestions on what action should be taken around this time of year to reduce the risk of problems with your pond and fish, along with some products that will help you achieve this.

Remove Excess Debris

The quantity of debris that makes its way into your pond increases during autumn, placing extra burden on pumps, filters, and other equipment. Remove excess organic materials such as leaves on a regular basis to prevent accumulation. With the exception of reeds, grasses and oxygenators all other pond plants will die off in the winter and will come back in spring. But the debris caused as they die back will add to the workload on the equipment in exactly the same way as the leaves and so this needs to be controlled. As the plants begin to turn simply cut away the excess and leave in a pile next to the pond for a few days. Leaving it next to the pond allows critters who have been caught up in the clean to get back to the pond. This not only allows your filtration to work more efficiently but also prevents potential equipment damage due to clogs. A little bit of effort alleviates extra burden placed on costly pond equipment and ensures years of proper operation. Pond Vacuums and Skimmer Nets are ideal for removing small or manageable amounts of leaves and debris. If an inch or more of debris has accumulated on the bottom, clean the pond before the weather makes it too cold to do the job. Be diligent! The less organic debris that settles in your pond over the winter, the better for your ecosystem and fish.

Install Pond Netting or Skimmer

The best way to maximize leaf-removing efforts is to prevent leaves from falling into the pond in the first place. Drape pond netting over the entire pond surface to keep the majority of leaf litter and debris out. Support the netting with wood, PVC or beach balls to prevent a pileup of leaves in the centre of the pond on top of the net and to protect the stalks of water plants. Once the immediate threat of falling leaves has passed, unfasten the pond netting and remove the few remaining leaves with a vacuum or net. For those who like to get down and dirty, a pair of lightweight waterproof waders or gloves lets you stay dry while performing pond maintenance. A Pond Skimmer could be installed as an alternative and will collect the leaves as they float around your pond, the Skimmers can also be useful in the Spring if blossom is an issue.

Monitor Water Temperature

Measure and monitor water temperature instead of air temperature. Measuring water temperature is the most accurate way to determine when to change diet, stop feeding, and start feeding your Koi again. Remote digital units are now available so you can monitor water temperature without having to step foot outside your home.