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 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 very cold.
• Snails in general adjust their sleep and activity habits based on the environment. When it’s too hot or cold, they may hibernate or estivate. 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.