Time to put the pond to bed for the winter? It doesn’t have to be a tedious event. And, done right, will ensure your finned friends will be around in the Spring to say, “hello”.
Start early. In the fall, put some pond netting over your water feature to help catch any falling leaves. This is a simple way to make the pond easier to clean after all the leaves have fallen. Just roll up the netting, clean out the leaves and it’s all ready for next year.
Dead Plants: Removing or cutting back dead or dying foliage when winterizing will leave less of a mess in the Spring. Trim back the plants you want to leave in the pond. Remove any tropicals and put them in the compost pile. Be sure to prepare the non-tropical waterlilies for winter by cutting them to two inches above the crown and moving them to part of the pond that is two feet deep or more.
Remove debris. Use long-handled pond net to remove anything the pond net did not catching in the Fall. The long handle will help get anything on the bottom of the pond. Be sure to get all the debris from the bottom of the pond, lest it break down over winter and you have a bigger clean up on the Spring. Be sure to clean the skimmer basket frequently to remove any debris.
Shutting Down: You will need to remove the pump from the pond and store it. Put the pump in a warm place to protect it from the cold. Drain the water out of the lines to prevent freezing. Remove and clean any filters, and store them in a dry place. Oxygenating the water is a good idea. The oxygen will be good for the fish. Adding oxygen also allows for a hole to form on top of any ice and then gasses can escape.
To get started on a pond for your landscape or to have yours cleaned out, stop by one of Robert’s two convenient locations: 156 & Kansas Ave -and- I-680 & N 48 St Exit. Or give us a call at 402.551.3654.
