It is Important That You Winterize Your Pond Correctly

For some, winter is just around the corner and you still have some precious time to do your final preparations, and for others your opportunity may have come and gone. In summary I have created a brief check list for you to review as you prepare your pond for winter. It is important that you winterize your pond correctly as you tackle your autumn pond care.

- Keep the water free of all dying vegetation and foliage.

- Excess vegetation growth should can be cut back from all submerged oxygenator plants.

- The foliage from marginal plants should be cut back.

- Remove any tropicals and if appropriate winter them indoors to protect them from the harsh weather.

For those that live in a climate that the pond is not in danger of freezing solid, it is important to install a floating pond heater & deicer. This will allow the water to receive fresh oxygen and release toxins from the water. The hole of open water created by the deicer will also release the pressure created by the expansion of the freezing ice. The addition of a float (i.e. rubber ball) to the water surface can also help absorb the expanding pressure from the ice. It is especially important to reduce the expansion pressure in raised ponds or ponds with a preformed pond liner. Before the ice settles in, maintain your pump equipment so it will be prepared to operate through the winter. Clean and remove all pieces of equipment that you will not use over winter. Remove snow from the surface ice regularly so sunlight can penetrate into the water. Be careful not to smash the ice as the shock waves can be very harmful to pond fish.

For those that plan to drain your pond, remove all filters, lights and pumps. Make sure that all plumbing lines are drained or protected from damage that occurs from the expansion of freezing water. Drain the majority of the water. You can give it a good clean, but I have a friend that does not believe in giving the pond very extensive cleaning before winter as she finds that she still needs to clean it in the spring. By waiting until spring you only have to tackle the project once.

Depending on your geographical location you will be required to follow different steps to winterize your pond, but regardless of where you live, you must make sure you instate appropriate autumn pond care for your climate.