Having a backyard pond is a wonderful way to improve the
look and feel of your backyard. It can also provide years
of relaxation and enjoyment if they are cared for properly.
Like your house, your pond requires year round maintenance
in order for it to function at it's best.
Spring:
Spring is usually a time for most people to clean up their
yards, plant flowers and begin their large landscaping and
home improvement projects for the year. The weather and
the water in your fountain both begin to warm up; giving
way for the plants to come back to life.
- Once the freezing weather has passed, it is a good time
to start un-winterizing your pond.
- When the water temperature in your pond reaches 50 degrees
Fahrenheit on a consistent basis, it is time to start
feeding your fish again with a cold-weather food. When
the water reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit, point you can
move to your full-season feeding program with them.
- Remove any accumulated debris that has built up throughout
the winter. Debris such as leaves can be removed with
a a skimmer type net with a square end that allows you
to push it across the bottom of the pond scooping up the
leaves. Natural decomposition of the debris can be accelerated
by certain products such as EcoFix and Microbe Lift Sludge
Away. Pond vacuums are also helpful with the removal of
debris.
- When the plants start showing signs of life, turn on
your pump again. Make sure it is cleaned thoroughly if
it was shut down during the winter before you restart.
- Start fertilizing each of your plants at appropriate
depth every 3 to 4 weeks for lotus and lilies and 5 to
7 weeks for marginal plants. As the weather becomes appropriate
for each plant, add more plants as needed.
- To control the algae in your pond, you can use Anacharis
at this time if that is one of your choices for controlling
it. If an Ultraviolet sterilizer is used, turn this on
after the biological filter to control your algae.
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