Get Your Pond Ready for Winter Fact Sheet – WG2
Prepare Water Plants for Winter
Fall is the time to start preparing your
pond for winter. Water plants are
slowing their growth and fading while they are getting ready for dormancy. Transplanting and dividing your pond plants
should not be done until spring. The foliage on all containerized water plants
should be cut back at this time and fertilization discontinued. Remove and bring indoors your tropical
marginal plants before the first frost.
Hardy water plants should be lowered to the bottom of your pond. (No,
they will not rot.)
Protect Pond from Fall Debris
Install a protective net over the pond if
you have a lot of falling leaves. Plastic bird netting is available at most
garden centers. You can insert a stick or garden rake into a potted plant to
give your net a higher point, like a tent. This will
allow the leaves to be swept from the net. Do not allow the net to drape into
your pond; fish and frogs can become entangled in it. Remove the leaves
regularly from both pond and net. Keep them picked up from your yard so that
the wind does not blow them into the pond.
Perform Maintenance and Prepare Water
Repair any damages and leaks before
winter. Also, reseed your bio-filters
with bacteria. This will help maintain good water quality during fall. Use a product called Autumn Blend by Ecosystems for winterization of your pond. This product works in water temperature under
55°F and will help to decompose the leaves, scum, sediment and other organic
matter during fall and winter. It is also all- natural, nontoxic, nonpathogenic
and contains psychrophilic, a cold weather
bacteria. Remove all dead leaves and
debris from your pond. If you have a skimmer, clean it at least once a day to
prevent blockage. Clean the filters and store any pumps or equipment not used
during the winter. Remember to store oil-encapsulated pumps in a bucket of
water that won't freeze to keep their seals from drying out.
Prepare Fish for Winter Months
As summer ends, feed your fish food that is
higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein. Carbohydrates will fatten them
for the long winter. While fish do not hibernate during the winter, their
metabolism does slow down as the water cools. Stop feeding fish when the water
temperature stabilizes at 55 degrees. DO NOT FEED THEM AGAIN UNTIL SPRING WHEN
THE WATER TEMPERATURE WARMS UP ABOVE THAT temperature. Even if there are warm
days during winter, do not feed them.
Remember to always keep an opening in the ice (pond) so that the gases
can escape. (A de-icer or bubbler usually does the
trick) Fish will survive in as little as
24 inches of water as long as the water doesn’t freeze solid.