Winterizing Your Pond
It happens every year. The winds begin to chill and the cold winter weather awakens from it's all too brief slumber. The severity of winter, however, depends largely upon your particular location on the map. For many proud pond owners, the first sign of winter sees them springing into action to perform their annual prescribed pond maintenance. Regardless of your climate, your pond will need to be given special attention in the winter, if it is to grow and thrive.
Seasonal Pond Maintenance
Winter pond conditions in southern climates are not exempt from the required annual pond maintenance of their northern counterparts. Southern garden ponds experience many of the same conditions as ponds in colder climates; although to a lesser degree. Winter in general, tends to bring about a slower pace of pond activity. The fish and other aquatic life, tend to become increasingly inactive and many of the pond's water plant's experience a restful dormancy.
If your southern pond is exposed to freezing conditions, you may find that it tends to cease all water movement completely. Regardless of your pond's location, it would be wise to take advantage of winter's restful conditions to perform a complete winterization of the pond. By doing so, you will guarantee your pond the best possible chance to emerge strong and healthy at the first sign of spring.
Southern Pond Owners
Aquatic Plant Species:
For southern pond owners, preserving their aquatic plants should be of great concern. This is due in part to the fact that water pond plant life, can be quite costly and properly caring for them through the harsh months of winter will eliminate the need to re-establish dead or dying plants in the spring. Many have made the mistake of continuing to fertilize their more sturdy water lilies through the winter because they continued to see blooms. This practice, however, should be avoided. All water plants require a period of rest and dormancy to remain healthy. Continuing to fertilize during this time can damage the plant's already delicate cycle and will ultimately affect the quality of the following spring's blooms. Instead, you will want to clean out all dead or dying vegetation and spent leaves. Depending on your particular southern locality, all tropical plants should be re-located to a separate container of water such as an empty pot or tub, and placed in the safety of a garage or protected shed. Reducing the marginals will also aid the plants in remaining healthy through the inactivity of winter.
Fish Concerns:
If you have ever wondered what to do with your fish during the winter, you are not alone. Most pond owners are appropriately concerned with the welfare of their pond's yearound residents and want to make them as comfortable as possible during this time. The good news is that if you live in one of the warmer winter climates; you needn't do a thing! Most species of fish instinctively know what to do as winter approaches. As the temperatures drop, you may notice the fish becoming a little less active. They may not appear at the surface of the water as often or eat as much-but don't be alarmed. This is part of the fish's natural process of slowing down for the winter to preserve energy. On the other hand, however, special considerations must be given to fish located in pond water that is slated to dip below 60 degrees farenheight. Koi and goldfish in particular, as well as most species of fish will become inactive at these temperatures and will be preparing to wait out the cold weather by resting. You will want to discontinue your feeding regimen when the water temperature falls into the mid fifties range. Remember, the fish are no longer active at this temperature and feeding them will only serve to sully the water. This is bound to happen because the fish will have no interest in food while slumbering and the uneaten food will therefore, begin to decompose and affect your overall water ecology.
Pump/Filter Considerations:
In southern climates,pumpsand filtersoperate on a continuous 24 hour basis. With this fact in mind, it is of the utmost importance to maintain proper performance by eliminating any debris that may have become lodged in your skimmer. This will ensure that your pump is operating properly and to its fullest potential. A pump that is allowed to operate continuously, allows for the proper release of harmful gases, thus maintaining adequate oxygen levels for all garden pond life. Also, be sure to remove any obstructive netting that may have been necessary during the leaf and foliage accumulation during autumn.
Northern Pond Owners
Fish:
When it comes to the safety of your fish, northern garden pond owners have more reason to be concerned. As temperatures drop in the north, surface pond water invariably turns to ice. This poses a potentially harmful problem to fish and other aquatic pond life. The are a number of harmful gases that build up as a direct result of fish waste and decomposing foliage and debris, that can choke out the oxygen necessary for fish to survive. There are two ways in which northern pond owners can directly combat this problem.
One solution would be to directly cut and keep, a hole, open in the ice. This allows for the proper dissipation of harmful gases in your pond's delicate ecological system. Another solution would be to use a water treatment such as a Fall And Winter Formula. This formula is a compilation of beneficial, cold water, aerobic and facultative anaerobes that remain operative in both oxygenated and non-oxygenated environments. They also remain active in the dark conditions normally present under ice. These microbes have been isolated and trained to produce vast amounts of digestive enzymes when added to pond water. This formula will produce two beneficial results, one being the breakdown of sludge during the harsh winter months, and improving the overall oxygen content of the pond water. All aquatic life present will be directly benefited by the addition of a Fall and Winter formula as well. Although they will be in a state of inactive slumber, their oxygen saturation will remain at healthy levels throughout the cold winter months.
Tackling The Job:
Both of these goals can be achieved in several different ways. The required preparations are not unusually time consuming, but will take a dedicated amount of your time. Many pond owners prefer to delegate these tasks to a professional, such as a person who specializes in garden pond installation. Pond installers are generally familiar with a wide range of pond care products and methods. Most pond installers will gladly perform these required tasks for a nominal fee. However, if you prefer to take on the project yourself, you will want to keep a few key points in mind as you begin your winter pond preparations.
Maintaining An Active Waterfall In Winter:
Although many choose to shut-down their waterfalls completely in winter, those that do not, are rewarded with the presence of stunning ice displays throughout the winter. These ice displays can provide months of mesmerizing spectacles; provided the waterfall is properly maintained. To do this, you will need to keep a few important points in mind. To adequately maintain the aforementioned hole in the ice, you will need a waterfall that circulates at least 2000 gallons of water per hour. This will guarantee that the hole does not ice over and will also ensure proper oxygenation of the water. Do you notice any slow-moving streams or areas around the waterfall? If so, then it is best under these circumstances to completely turn off the pump. Why? You may ask. This is because if ice dams are continuing to form, they can divert water over the liner, which even if chiseled away, will eventually become frozen again and cause you an endless amount of frustration.
To the surprise of many, even in winter, your pond will need to be topped off. This is because even in cold climates, water continues to evaporate and therefore will need to be topped off accordingly to maintain proper pump operation. If you find that you are willing to do the extra work required to keep your waterfall running in winter, your efforts will surely be rewarded by the presence of beautiful ice patterns and formations that surround the falls and streambeds.
Waterfall Shutdown Considerations:
Due to the effort involved, the vast majority of pond owners will choose to shut down their pond's waterfall for the winter. Shutting down the falls, however, does not mean that effort is not required to maintain your pond's ecology. You will still face the task of replicating the waterfalls effect on your garden pond. This means you will need to keep the water oxygenated and maintain the hole you have created, in the ice.
A pump that circulates no less than 150 gallons of water per hour can be placed inside the pond; however, you must keep it close to the pond's surface. The pump will produce bubbles at about one inch above the surface, providing enough agitation to keep the hole in the ice open. This will maintain proper water oxygenation at least to a temperature of 10 degrees farenheight.
If your pond temperature drops below 10 degrees farenheight, for an extended period of time, you will be required to apply the addition of a floating heater to the water's surface. This will serve to keep the hole in the ice open. Most heaters come equipped with sensitive, built in, thermostats that sense the water's temperature and turn on accordingly. You will need to pre-program your heater to switch on at the appropriate temperature of no less than 10 degrees farenheight. A note of caution! The addition of a heater alone, will NOT be sufficient enough to provide oxygenation, therefore, additional steps to oxygenate the water will need to be taken.
Wintertime, regardless of where you live, is a time of restful beauty. By taking the proper steps to ensure a thriving pond in winter, you will be making an investment that will ultimately be rewarded by endless beauty in the springtime and seasons that follow.
