"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, November 23, 2009

Getting the pond ready for winter.

I'd been waiting for the rain to let up so I could get the pond ready for winter before it looks like this here:


Since it stopped for a very short while yesterday I knew I had to finally "take the plunge" into the very cold water and get the cleanup done. Thankfully the only part of me that had to go in the water were my hands and arms, but I really was hoping for at least a sunny day to do this job. Living in Zone 8 I'm pretty lucky that there isn't a lot I need to do, but there are basic things that are important for any pond owner to do before the cold and freezing weather is here.

*Earlier in the season (about a month ago) I added Crystal Pond which is a natural enzyme to help breakdown any sludge at the bottom of the pond.

*An important thing to know, if you have fish, is to stop feeding them when the weather cools down below 50 degrees. The fish cannot digest the food and it becomes toxic to them.

*I always scoop as many fallen leaves out that I can with my net. By now most of what's going to fall in has already done so, I rarely have to net it out until next fall. When the neighbors had a large leaf Maple tree I would put bird netting over the pond in the fall to prevent so many from falling in and making such a mess.

*I also give my filter, which is a simple pump inside a biological filter, a good cleaning using the hose.

Before it's cleaned you can see all the sludge that collects in and on the filter.

After I take it apart and spray all the parts clean with the hose.

*I remove the annual plants that have either been killed by the first frost, or will be, so that I don't have to try to fish them out of the bottom when they sink.

*I cut back any of the perennial plants that are dying back and any of the lily pads that I can reach as well. All those pads and plants will sink to the bottom and contribute to the "sludge" at the bottom.

Before netting the pond and cutting back the plants it still looks pretty good, but all it will take is one hard freeze and they will all turn to mush. It's not much fun trying to work on the pond when it's freezing cold.

*I leave my filter and pump running all winter. It's rare that our pond freezes more than a few inches (enough to support the weight of our 12 pound dog which insists on scaring me by walking across it). The waterfall running is enough to keep the ice open and to provide oxygen for the fish.

*Some people just use an air stone to help the fish with oxygen. Other people use pond heaters to help keep the ice open. I'm very lucky not to need to do either.

*I notice as the temperatures get cooler that string algae can become a problem and I have to be sure to scrub the waterfall occasionally during the winter with a special brush that I found for cleaning birdbaths.

Ready for the winter.

These are the steps I follow each year about mid fall when it starts to cool down. I find that it's an easy process that takes me an hour or two at most. I've had very good luck with not loosing many fish over the winter and never have had any problems loosing plants as long as they are hardy in our zone. The only downside are very numb hands at the end of the job.

When Spring is closer I'll share how I get my pond ready for Spring and Summer.
Pin It

36 comments:

  1. Wow..fantastic...very informative!! Great job.. your pond is so lovely..and so awesome to keep care of!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great and informative post Catherine. Now I'm starting to re think wanting a pond - or maybe I could just hire a 'pond boy' to do all that yukky for me. LOL Oh wait! I have Bob!!! ;-) I've always wondered about freezing and how the fish do. Never thought about asking my sis and she really freezes on the other side of the mountains. O'well I'm not getting paid for thinking and it's more fun and interesting to read your 'how to' posts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very interesting to learn all that is required for your pond. It sure is a source of joy not only for us but for the birds as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I saw your first picture in my Reader, got shocked and looked at my window... Sign of relief. Not yet...Then I read that it was 2008.
    My boys want snow, they are ready to go sledding.
    Thanks for your comments on my blog Catherine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Catherine,
    You pond looks great and the snow photo is a bit of a shocker this early in the year, I was glad to read that was taken last year.
    Did no know about the fish not eating below 50 degrees.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had the same reaction as Tatyana! Glad to see it was last year.
    That is one slimey filter, yuck! Great information about pond care. Not sure I want to have that as another thing to take care of....but living on the water (now and in the future) I guess that is my water feature. Yours is really lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ditto the other cooments regarding early snow.

    Finger numbing work indeed.

    I didn't realise that below 50F food becomes toxic to fish.

    I reckon you must work quick to do all this in an hour or so. Reading the list I'd have bet half a day at least.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks wonderful and all set indeed. It is good you don't have to heat it. I have a heater for mine but mine is only 35 gallons small:) I'd love a big one like this. You make cleaning it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I got shocked when I saw your first picture too! Glad it was from last year. -Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  10. It doesn't get very cold here - I am certain our little pond will never freeze over.

    Do your fish get less hungry and active when it gets cold? I was under the impression I'd know to stop feeding mine because they would quit being interested in the food if they were cold. Hmmm.... I may need to invest in a pond thermometer.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Catherine! This was a great post. I too however did the same thing as the other locals...I gasped and looked out the window. LOL I have to get out to my pond as well and yank those annual plants whether they're ready to go or not. That snow shot of yours struck fear into my lazy behind. heheh

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your making me feel cold. Your pond is so nice. I bet you cringe when the dog walks across.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh My!!!! I can't believe all that snow! It seems unimaginable to me living in such a warm place. So much extra work too!!
    We are having Tuesday Tea Party today - drop in for a cuppa with Patsy and I :-)
    Have a lovely day!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's quite a lot to do before winter! I've never had a pond, so I wasn't aware of all this. Also didn't know fish can't digest in winter.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, that's a lot of snow there in the photo from 08...I have read some people take their fish out and keep them in the basement. It seems like a lot of work for an hour or so...glad you do it because I love seeing your pond in the spring/summer!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the great info. We have a large koi pond and our fish are now sleeping soundly until spring! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't believe the before and after filter. Ick! You did a great job getting that clean.

    Interesting about food being toxic to fish 50 or below. I didn't know that.

    Hope you have a great Thanksgiving Catherine.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The snow picture doesn't show up for me. Bummer.

    We don't get snow here, except for the 13" we got on Christmas Eve about 3 or 4 years ago. I don't think that counts, as the previous White Christmas here was in 1898!

    I do need to get out there and clean my pond, get it in shape for winter. The worst part is cleaning the filters, but Bobby and I do it together, so it isn't bad.

    This is the kind of post that everybody needs to read before they dig that hole. There is a lot more to a pond than meets the eye.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Catherine, Just wanted to let you know that I’ve given you the Beautiful Blog Award, you can visit my blog for details. Totally up to you if you want to participate or not, I understand completely if you don’t. I'm glad I found your blog, your garden is beautiful. :) Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  20. Not such a difficult process...I've been convinces it takes so much more work! Thank you for letting us know what you do~~Have you tried neoprene gloves? They might be diver's gloves but they do help with cold, wet hands!
    gail ps We would love one nice snowfall here in Nashville!

    ReplyDelete
  21. oooh, I've been waiting for a post like this! Thank you Catherine. You broke the steps down so efficiently. I ended up taking my filter out ~ I wasn't sure what to do? I inserted an airstone in its place and I have a de-icer all ready to go in case I need to plug it in. The three snowstorms we've had so far haven't frozen the pond tho so I'm still good. That first photo was sort of shocking. Glad you haven't seen that yet!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Catherine, Your pond is so beautiful, even this time of year, which says a lot about your planning and maintenance. You must not have raccoon issues or your water is deep enough for the fish to hide?

    I've got frogs in my outer pond. This makes cleaning a challenge but I'm thinking if I get it done before January I should be okay since this is when the NW Red Legged frog lays her eggs. Ponds are so fun, aren't they. The rewards definitely out weigh the work.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Catherine, this was interesting to me since I know not a thing about taking care of a pond. You made it sound so easy. Glad that you finished the task before you have snow. It's in the forecast for us to get our first snowfall on Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Catherine. One thing I know - having a pond entails a fair amount of work (of course, it rewards us with some fantastic moments - but still...) Frost and snow and not a concern here. The pond is active all year round. But as I've told you before... I love your pond and wish mine could be as magical as yours.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Brrr...! How much hard work you do Catherine! I realize how lucky I am when I read about gardens in the temperate zone.Hope you will have a sunny day soon.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Catherine, as you put it, it sounds very easy to manage the tribulations of a pond. I thought it was lots of work but know, rethinking about having one.
    Thank you for the instructions.
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Brrrr! I'm feeling cold on your behalf after reading that! Mind you, I learnt an awful lot too - so thanks for the info :)
    It's all looking lovely round the pond. Well done on braving the cold!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Don't remember seeing that view of your pond. It sure is one spectacular pond with all those plants. Looks like a happy place...wish I was there :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I never realized all the work going into maintaining a pond. It certainly is worth it given the beauty your pond displays.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Catherine, job well done. We loved ours but struggled with it for about 13 years... it may have been just too big. Sorry to say we finally gave up on it several years ago for we couldn't keep it clean no matter how many different things we did to it. The neighbors were happy to take the fish; the fish are happy to have a reservoir in which to swim; and we were pleased to stop netting the pond for 3 months of the year as the blue heron decided it was their personal feeding grounds.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What an interesting post Catherine. Sorry I haven't been for a while, you know how it is! So many blogs, so little time!! I love your pond. We don't have one here, so I can just admire yours instead. At the moment Ireland, especially our areas, are having a lot of floods. Luckily our house is above them but we have trouble getting about anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  32. So glad you got it done before the first snow. Your pond looks lovely. You know so much about how to take care of it. I'm very impressed.

    ReplyDelete
  33. So important to have a pond in a garden, it provides a home for all sorts of critters who eat pests in your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Now, I'm really shivering! Nice series here!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for posting this info, Catherine- as you know, it is very timely for me :). Becoming a proud new owner of two small ponds- I'm lost as to what to do! It's not like I built them and did tons of research first :). Just know that I'll be emailing you come spring!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow Catherine! Where I come from more than 1/4 in on the birdbath, gone by 9.30am, is considered seriously cold. I can't imagine all the various winter precautions you must take!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.