Preparing Your Pond For Winter

The days are getting shorter and the morning chill is in the air, two sure signs fall is upon us, with winter close behind. As the pond season comes to an end it is now time to prepare your pond for the winter.

Properly preparing your pond for winter will ensure a healthy and safe hibernation for your fish and plants. There are four areas of your pond that need attention Fish, Plants, Equipment and of course the Pond itself. Winterizing preparations are timed to temperature, be sure to begin monitoring pond temperatures in early fall using a Laguna Floating Pond Thermometer. As your water temperatures begin to fall into the 55°-50° range you should begin the winterization process.

Keep your fish warm this winter

POND

As the temperatures drop so to do the leaves, it is important to stem the onslaught of falling leaves by installing Laguna Pond Netting, this will help keep your pond free of potentially harmful debris. Begin treating your pond with Laguna’s Bio Booster and Bio Sludge Control to help remove both the organic and inorganic material in the pond. This will help reduces stress on the biological system during the colder winter months. Top off your pond so fish are able to hibernate in the deepest and warmest part of the pond. When topping off your pond for the winter use LagunaWater Prep to remove harmful chlorine and chloramines from the water. 

FISH

Goldfish and Koi are cold water fish and able to tolerate the frigid winter temperatures. The region that you live in will dictate whether you can winter over your fish right in the pond or will need to take them inside. In colder regions of the northern US and southern Canada ponds of at least 36” or deeper are recommended for your fish to survive the winter months outside. See our complete closing guide for more information on your specific region.

Switch your fishes diet to Laguna's Wheat Germ/Spirulina Foods

As the water temperature starts to fall to 47° to 50° F (8° to 10° C), switch the goldfish and Koi’s diet over to Laguna’s Wheat Germ/Spirulina Foods. The wheat germ will “bulk up” the fish so that they can survive the cold winter months. Once the water temperature falls below 47° F (8° C) stop feeding the fish altogether and do not start feed them again until the water stays constantly over 47° F (8° C). Feeding fish on a warm winter day with the possibility of the temperature dropping again can be harmful.

PLANTS

Deep water plants (water lily’s and lotus) should be trimmed of old blooms and leaves and placed in the deep portion of the pond. Your climate zone will dictate what you should do with any hardy marginal plants. In more temperate zones they can remain in the pond and on the plant shelf, in colder climates they too should be placed in the deepest portion of the pond. Any floating plants (Hyacinths or Water Lettuce) along with the oxygenating plants should be removed from the pond (hint – they make great compost!). For complete details see the Laguna Planting Guide.

POND EQUIPMENT

When the pond water temperature falls below 43° F (6° C) remove submersible pumps, filtration systems and UV sterilizers. Leaving these items in your pond may cause water in them to freeze, expand and crack the housings. When removing these items drain and clean them before storing so that they are ready to go in the spring.

Even though your pond is closed it is still a living environment in the winter and will need care.  An ice covered pond will prevent the necessary natural gas exchanges to take place and could cause a build up of harmful carbon dioxide. Laguna’s Heated Pond De-Icer along with one of Laguna’s Aeration Kits will keep a small opening in the ice allowing these exchanges to take place.

Using Laguna’s Fall Closing Kit or Winterization Kit will provide all the necessary equipment for the successful winterization of your pond.

For additional information click on the link to on A Beginner’s Guide to Opening and Closing a Water Garden