Winterizing a Water Garden Pond to Keep your Fish Safe

There are many steps to take when winterizing a water garden pond. Each must be followed to ensure the continued success of your fish and plants. But by following this guide, it should be quick and easy to do just that, and keep your water garden pond healthy.

First, you must know if you have a soft or hard pond liner. In this article, we will outline the steps that you must take for a soft liner. Do remember that there is a difference, and make sure that you do keep in mind which you have in your pond.

Your first step is to empty half of the water from the pond. You can do this by taking the hose that is connected to your pump, and reconnecting it so that the water is pumped onto the ground. This will make it easier for you to see while you clean.

Your second step is to remove any and all potted plants. You will need to trim any plants that need it, and excess leaves will die over the winter and fall into your pond, causing debris that will be dangerous for your fish in the spring.

Remember not to re-pot the plants until the spring, and doing so in the fall will hurt them. You must also remember to cut your water lilies to their base, and again, if they need replanting, save that task for the spring months.

You must then catch your fish, placing them in buckets filled with pond water. This clears the way for you to remove any debris from your pond, which will make the water healthier for your fish. The debris can be used as an excellent mulch.

You can now place your plants back into your pond. They must be at least a foot and a half beneath the freezing line. If your plants are hardy, and are under three feet of water or more, they should be able to survive the winter months. Now it's time to return your hose to your pump.

Your final step when winterizing a water garden pond is to return your fish to their pond. Stop feeding them when the temperature hits fifty degrees, and begin again when it reaches fifty five. Make sure that you maintain a hole in the ice all winter, creating it by using a hot pan, and not by chipping at the ice.

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