Seasonal Pond Maintenance
Whether it’s a farm pond, a golf course pond, or a koi pond in your backyard, the basics of pond maintenance are the same. If you do a little bit of work continuously, it will save you from having to clean up a big mess in your pond down the line. By choosing the right equipment to maintain your pond, you’ll be able to keep it looking fresh and clean year round. Here, we’ll lay out the basics of pond maintenance for each of Mother Nature’s four seasons.
Spring:
In Spring, all things are made new, and that includes your pond. Once temperatures rise above the 50 degree mark, you’ll want to have your filtration system up and running, so check on your pond filters as soon as the earth begins to thaw out. Over the winter, debris has accumulated in the pool and hasn’t yet decomposed due to the low temperatures. When the decomposition process begins, the stauts of your water chemistry could be drastically effected. Make sure to have bacterial supplements on hand and test the water often to assess its condition. Spring is also the time to plant any pond plants and fertilize the water lilies or whatever else you’d like to grow in your pond environment.
Summer:
Summer is a key maintenance time for ponds, as the warm temperatures lead to unwanted algae growth and other problems. Make sure to pick out a good water aeration system to keep the water oxygenated. This will help the health of fish in your pond as well as reduce algae growth. Aquatic plants can also be added during this time to oxygenate the water and help keep the water cool. Water movement and BTI chemical treatments are also important to control the mosquito population around your pond.
Fall:
Fall is an important preparation time for your pond as the winter months approach. Keep the pond clear of debris by installing netting to aid in leaf removal. If you have fish in the pond, reduce the amount of food you give them and try to switch to an easily digestible food product. As the temperatures fall, fish require less food. Clean your filters and turn off the filtration system when temperatures start to dip below 50 degrees to avoid damage from freezing.
Winter:
The most important maintenance tip for winter is to make sure that the pond does not completely freeze over. Install aerators near the surface, and be sure to provide an opening in the ice at all times for gases to flow in and out. Winter is also a great time to shop for new products and equipment to include in your pond in the spring!
Related articles
Comments are closed.