7 key steps to preparing your backyard pond for winter
May 13, 2011
A backyard pond is a
gorgeous addition to your property. But it does require regular
maintenance, and it needs special attention right before the winter
winds begin to blow. These tips can help you keep your backyard
pond beautiful throughout the years.
Putting away the pond for the winter
- Give the pond a good cleaning. Use an all-natural
bacteria-based cleaner that eats away at the algae and sludge that
accumulates around rocks and on the bottom. Do this several weeks
before you are ready to pull the filters from the water.
- When the leaves begin to fall, string a net over your pond to
avoid autumn debris from sinking into the water and creating even
more sludge as it decomposes. This step is important to maintain
the water quality.
- Trim back your plants before the frost hits. Pull out any
plants that cannot survive cold temperatures. You can usually
maintain these plants by placing them in pots of water in your home
at room temperature. If you're not sure, check with your local
nursery for instructions unique to your area.
- Remove your pumps from the water when the temperature drops. If
the pumps are in an area that is too deep to freeze, it is okay to
leave them there. However, remember that if there is any chance of
the entire pond freezing, the expanding water could destroy your
filters, pumps, and other equipment.
- If you have fish in your pond, they might be able to stay. It
depends on the depth of your water. Water that is 24 inches or
deeper should provide a safe habitat for your fish during the
winter. Feed them a protein rich food to allow them to build up
resources to get through the winter. When ice does start to form,
keep an area of the pond free of it by using a deicer or
heater.
- Don't forget to remove ornamental statues, bird baths, and
other decorative items from the pond. If you overlook this, you
could find that those items have been damaged by the expansion of
ice around them.
- Watch the weather and don't get caught off guard. It might take
several days to do what you need to do to prepare your backyard
fountain or pond for cold weather, so at the first sign that
frost might layer the ground, it is time to start taking
precautions.
Take special care to make sure your pond survives the winter and
it should thrive in the spring.
About the Author:
Shannon Dauphin is a journalist and occasional novelist with a
serious weakness for real estate. Her current home was built in
1901, so home repair and renovation have become her necessary
hobbies.
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