On Tricker's Pond

How to Prepare Your Pond & Plants for Fall and Winter.

Key steps for winterizing your pond

* Clean the pond: Remove all debris, leaves, and branches from the pond using a net. 

* Remove non-hardy plants: Take out any tropical plants or other plants that won’t survive the winter and dispose of them properly. 

* Trim hardy plants: Cut back the dead foliage of hardy marginal plants like water lilies, leaving the root systems in the pond. 

* Install a pond net: Place a pond net over the pond to catch falling leaves and debris. 

* Add cold-water bacteria: Introduce beneficial bacteria to help break down organic matter in the pond. 

* Consider a deicer:  If your pond freezes completely, use a pond deicer to keep a small area of open water for gas exchange. 

* Adjust fish feeding: Reduce fish food as temperatures drop and stop feeding them entirely when the water gets below 50 degrees.

* Snails in general adjust their sleep and activity habits based on the environment. When it’s too hot or cold, they will hibernate. Snails can’t survive if a pond freezes solid, so a depth of 20–30 inches usually provides a safe haven. 


Taking care of pond plants in winter 

* Bring tropical plants indoors: Remove any tropical water plants from the pond and bring them indoors to a cool, bright location. 

* Leave hardy plants in the pond: Trim back hardy marginal plants and leave them in the pond over winter. 

* Protect delicate plants: If you have particularly delicate plants, consider covering them with a protective fabric or burlap. 


Important points to remember

1. Don’t drain completely: Keep your pond filled with water during winter to prevent damage from freezing. 

2. Monitor water quality: Regularly check your pond water quality and adjust as needed. 

3. Check your equipment: Remove and store any pumps, filters, or other equipment that could be damaged by freezing temperatures. 

4. Consider a pond heater: In very cold climates, you may need to use a pond heater to prevent your pond from freezing completely.



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