Fall & Winter Water Garden Tips
The temperatures are falling and it is time to secure your pond for the winter. What should you do?
Remove all debris with a coarse net
Remove all sludge covering the bottom with a fine net or vacuum.
Do a 50% water change. While you are changing the water, stir up any remaining sludge and clean the bog and/or marginal shelves.
After everything is clean refill your pond with tap water or well water.
Add Crystal Clear Vanish to remove chlorine.
What about my fish?
Once the water temperature reaches 55-60 degrees eliminate high protein fish foods and replace with wheat germ.
Feed the fish about 20% of the amount you would feed in the summer.
Stop feeding the fish when they stop coming to the surface for food or when they leave the majority of their food uneaten.
Will my fish freeze?
No, if your pond is at least 30” deep your fish will go to the deepest part of the pond where the water will not freeze.
If your pond is less than 30”, your should install a pond de-icer and an aerator in the pond.
What about my plants?
Before the first frost trim bog and marsh plants to about 4” tall. Place them in the deep end of the pond or until the pot is fully submerged.
Pull out the water lilies and trim off all the leaves and buds. Put them in the deepest end of your water garden where they will
“hibernate” for the winter.Discard any tropical lilies as they are annuals and won't survive the winter.
Discard floating plants such as water hyacinths and water lettuce.