The weather ended up being perfect to do the pond clean up, so everyone pitched in and we got to work.
I used the pump to pump the water out, as well as using many buckets to water plants all over the backyard. Here the water was down about half way. This is when I got in to see what I would find.
What I found was very surprising. The entire bottom of the pond was covered 6 inches deep in these matted roots of Elodea. This plant was added many years ago because I read that it was a great oxygenator for fish. It had gone kind of crazy over the years, but my husband and I would pull out handfuls of the plants, sure we had it under control. I would highly recommend never planting this in your pond. I'm sure it's fine in a aquarium where it is contained, but I would not put it anywhere you can not completely monitor it. The mats were so heavy my husband had to cut through them to get them up. I just hope no roots were left behind, but if I see any sign of it again I'll be in the pond getting it out.
Sweet Pea insisted on getting in the pond. We were filthy when we got finished.
The water is still clearing, but the pond already looks better. I repotted one water lily, the other two will have to wait for another day. We found at least two completely empty pots buried in the bottom. Wonder what had been in them?
Even though it was one of the worst jobs I've done in awhile I'm so glad we did it. We took out the fish that had survived the Heron fishing from several months ago and they swam in a wading pool while we cleaned. Now they are back and seem to be doing fine.Once the water was added back in we added a dechlorinator and a natural bacteria enzyme that helps to decompose any sludge left at the bottom of the pond. We noticed that the mosquitoes are active on the pond surface so I put in a Dunk, which is a natural way to kill mosquito larva.
The best part though is that we're now ready to add some new fish in a few weeks!
The best part though is that we're now ready to add some new fish in a few weeks!
Amazing root system that plant had. It must feel great to have that chore behind you and to look forward to choosing new fish to add to the pond. It looks so pretty! I wonder what was in those pots you found!
ReplyDeleteI am sure the fishes appreciated your efforts. Looks great now. Now wonder Elodea is called a Waterweed! Wouldn't it be surprising if you get lovely blooms from those pots?
ReplyDeleteThat's a big job. It is so hard to know about plants in ponds. I was just reading about the yellow flag and how the rhizomes can actually change the course of streams. Those matted roots sound pretty tough. I'll remember that if ever I get a big pond. I know you guys are all so happy the job is done and it looks good. Especially for not having cleaned it out for many years. That is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips about the Dunk and the bacteria enzyme - what exactly is a Dunk though please?
ReplyDeleteDear Catherine, I know so well those jobs which keep getting put off. And then, when finally tackled, they are never quite as bad as one had imagined.
ReplyDeleteNow I am not for a moment suggesting that the cleaning of your pond was easy, pleasant, relaxing, or anything of the kind, but I am sure that the feeling of well being and satisfaction you all must now have is worth the hours of labour. What is more, the end result looks so good.
It always feels good to get a big slimy gooey job done doesn't it?!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really yukky job - but a one that had to be done. I know you felt good to get it accomplished. Good hired help you got there. Or was she hired? LOL
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a dirty job, but worth doing. I know gardeners that have much smaller ponds, and clean them several times a year, but the larger ones would be hard to clean.
ReplyDeleteUgh I hate cleaning out my tiny fountain every spring full of gunk so I can imagine what a job a large one would be.Glad you had good help with the job and it looks wonderful. Your Heuchera's are looking so pretty.
ReplyDeleteMarian - a dunk is a biological pesticide that doesn't cause any environmental harm. It's a type of Bacillus. Here's a link to the definition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_dunks
ReplyDeleteWell, it did look like a very dirty job - hopefully you will not have to do it again for a few years. Your pond is one of my favorite areas of your garden. It is nice to see all of the flowers beginning to bloom around it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on why not to build a pond! :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough saying that... They do bring lots of wildlife to the garden, perhaps the pros out-weigh the cons!
It's a lot of work to clean up but worth it in the end. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI recognize that light blue tub you have the extracted roots in: we have the same one at our house. It started its life outside but moved in during winter and now I can't part with it. Guess I'll have to get another for outside. Again.
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
I used to hate this job on the one hand, but was so happy when it was done. My plants LOVED the pond water (and it's so much better than losing all that nitrogen-rich water down the drain). Your clean pond looks lovely. Can't wait to see your new fish!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to get dirty. My parents have plans for me and my wonderful husband to do this at their place this summer. Looks good. I love your pond photos.
ReplyDeleteYour pond looks wonderful! We have a fountain pond that we do put water plants for the summer, but it is very small.
ReplyDeleteWe would love to have a real pond, but nowhere to put it!
Eileen
Wow Catherine, what a slimey mess to contend with. I am glad you said what you did with the fish...I kept wondering.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a new pond, congratulations on a messy, well-done job.
I was reading this with great interest and also wondering the whole time what you did with the fish! That would be my biggest worry ~ not killing them with all the new water, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like my little pond settled over the winter and is tilted a bit too far to one side for my liking. I was thinking I should empty it and try to re-level and clean it (while it was empty). Even that intimidates me a bit tho, let alone doing one your size. Your pond looks much deeper than I thought judging by that picture of your daughter getting in??
I'm sure you feel good about getting this big job done. Kudos to you ~ now you can reap the rewards! Interesting about the plants. I will remember that and never add them!!
oh - you didn't talk about the smell... i have a pond with the same plants and i haven't been in it in about five or six years. i don't think i could take the smell of the mess from the bottom. I'm proud for you - i need to do the same thing - just don't want to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pinewood Cottage, you did not mention the smell, the pictures detailed a yukky job and I thought that must smell aweful. You must be sooooo glad that job is done for a few more years. And the pond looks wonderful all cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteThe pond looks wonderful. Cleaning it must have been so much of a chore!
ReplyDeleteEwww, there's a task I wouldn't be eager to tackle. Good for you for getting it taken care of. I'm sure the fish appreciate it and it looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, good job! because we have leaves that fall in, in the fall, I do the pond cleanup every spring. I dig up the waterlillies and divide them. I have 4 pots of them now and I usually give one away to pond loving friends. One thing that I could picture is the "smell" of the pond cleaning. Your Sweet Pea is way too brave. I drain my pond to inches before I'll go in - LOL. This year I am ordering one of those muck vacs from Fosters.
ReplyDeleteLooks great - and what fun to get dirty for a good cause. Don't you hate having to rip out invasive plants that YOU planted. I really hate that. I'm trying to learn my lessons. Enjoy the pond. Kelly
ReplyDeleteWhoops - looks like the 10 year old was playing on the computer again - that last comment was from me!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it. It's nice that your family pitched in. And look how fabulous the outcome!! Do you know how many gallons it holds? Or the measurements? I'm just curious.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your new fish!
well....some kind of work is not fine....green greetings from Sandra
ReplyDeleteEwww!!! I have to do the same thing and I don't want to either. LOL You guys did a terrific job and I commend you all for bucking up and getting it done. I got nervous about your underwater plant and had to look it up just to be sure I didn't have it too. Whew. Wiki said it was illegal to sell it here so I thought maybe you could sue the sellers for pond clean up?
ReplyDeleteKathleen and Grace - The pond is about 6 feet by 8 feet and 2 feet deep. It holds about 500 gallons of water.
ReplyDeleteLeSan - Great idea :) I didn't know it was illegal. I can see why, if that got into a natural pond or lake it would be a terrible mess.
You just reminded me that I need to clean out my tiny pond - I bet it's pretty gross too...
ReplyDeleteWhat a chore! We've never cleaned the bottom of our pond (shhhh). But Kim gets in there often enough and thinks it's still OK.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great size Catherine. Thanks for the info. It looks pretty big but that's bigger than I thought (it's hard to judge size sometimes in pictures).
ReplyDelete