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Getting Your Pond Ready For Fall

 



As the summer sun sets earlier and temps begin to drop, it's important to prepare your pond for surviving the coming winter.  It takes a bit more than shutting off the pump and throwing a tarp on top to keep your ecosystem thriving and make a spring opening that much easier.  What is vital for your pond, especially if you have fish, is to maintain acceptable oxygen levels throughout the bitter weather and get rid of as much decaying debris as possible because they give off toxic gas.  When it comes down to it, is your pond ready for the fall?

Leaves - Fallen leaves and other foliage that access your pond produce toxic gases as they decay, which can be harmful to fish and your ecosystem in general. Before the leaves begin to fall, put a protective net over the top to catch leaves.  When it's time to close up the pond all you have to do is roll up the netting and toss out the leaves collected. 

Equipment - Now is the time for your pump and filters to be cleaned and prepared for storage.  Skimmers, waterfalls, jets, bubblers, etc. need to be checked, disconnected and excess water drained.  Each piece requires its own set of maintenance and cleaning so they should be properly cared for before the season change.  

Plants - When winter sets in, plants tend to fall into a dormant state but they should be winterized prior in order to survive.  This includes trimming dead pieces to just above the soil, protecting roots from freezing and even moving certain tropical plants into pots for indoor care.

Debris - It's crucial to oxygen levels to remove leaves, twigs and dead, or dying, aquatic plants.  These can wreak havoc on your pond levels and hurt fish.  Use hand nets, long-handled nets or pond vacuums to remove all excess debris.

Fish - There is a delicate balance to keeping your fish healthy through cold winters.  When temps are at 50 degrees, reduce feedings to three times a week and only what they can consume in a five minute period.  When the temps drop to 40 degrees you need to stop feeding them completely so they can prepare for hibernation.  During the fall you can feed them cold water fish food until those temps hit the 40 degree mark.

Bacteria - We may be conditioned to want to get rid of bacteria but for ecosystems such as ponds, there IS such a thing as healthy bacteria that help maintain pond levels.  Once the pond reaches 50 degrees, this is a crucial component to add.  Be sure to follow the proper weekly maintenance listed on the specific cold water beneficial bacteria product you use until the water freezes.

Aeration - Your pond could use some help keeping oxygen levels saturated and releasing harmful gases.  Aeration and de-icing kits and techniques will help keep a hole to achieve these goals even in a bitter winter.  Remember that your fish need an area in the bottom of your pond to gather and hibernate so consider relocating stones, diffusers and other features to more shallow parts.

Professionals - Depending on your schedule and knowledge of pond ecosystems, you may decide that hiring a local pond maintenance company for fall prep is the way to go.  Not only do they have all of the equipment necessary to handle a fall prep but they have decades of experience in proper pond care and can help your ecosystem survive until it's time to awaken again in the spring.

Whether you DIY or hire a service such as Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance, be sure your pond is properly prepared for the coming fall and ensure its survival through even the most bitter of winters!


To schedule your fall maintenance and prepare your pond, contact our Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance specialists today at 708.586.2393 or visit us at laughingwatersinc.com!





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Location: Chicago, IL, USA

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