Preparing Your Pond For Winter
If you are in a region where the winter nights are firmly setting in, you need to think about your winter pond preparation.
Now’s a good time to start making a checklist of
things you’ll need to ensure that you’re prepared to handle all the
tasks related to winterizing your pond.
Your checklist should include the following:
- Pond thermometer
- Pond netting
- Pruning tool, nets & skimmers
- Air pump, aeration kit, pond de-icer
Water Temperature
Since water temperature plays a huge role, especially if you have fish,
it’s always a good idea to check if your pond thermometer is working
properly. Water temperature is your cue to when you should stop feeding your fish all together.
Fish Feeding
As the water temperature of your pond falls, the fish will require less
food. Watch their food intake and adjust your feeding. Stop feeding your
fish completely when the water temperature of your pond reaches an
average of 45 °F (7 °C). At 47-50 °F (8-10 °C) the fish will begin to
hibernate at the bottom of the pond. Regardless of the outside
temperature or if your fish come to the surface during the winter do not
feed them. They are surfacing for oxygen not food. If you feed them
during this period, the food will not be digested.
Pond Netting: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
One of the best ways to make maintenance easier is to place a pond net of over your water garden to capture falling leaves. This way, you don’t
have to toil as hard later on to collect scattered leaves, especially
those in the deep end. You can find a list of Laguna pond netting here.
If you follow all the above recommendations, you’ll be well on your way
to making a seamless seasonal transition into winter!
