Water features including ponds are a very attractive addition to any garden. If you include a water feature in your garden design then follow our water feature maintenance plan below:
SPRING
Water & Plants
- Use a test kit to check the pH of the water and adjust if necessary
- Any early growth of algae or blanket weed should be cleared
- Use barley straw to reduce algae and encourage water fleas
- Carry out new or replacement planting
- Divide and transplant marginal and moisture loving plants
- Re-plant frost tender plants which have been protected over winter
- Cut back old foliage which has been left to protect plants
- Add mulch to bog gardens and margins to prevent weed growth
Fish & Wildlife
- As weather becomes warmer start feeding fish
- Protect frogspawn and tadpoles from fish
Structures & Equipment
- Clean around pond area to prevent slippery surfaces
- Repair pond edgings
- Check and repair decks and bridges
- Check and repair electrical equipment and cables
- Service pumps
- If a pool heater is used then remove and store
SUMMER
Water & Plants
- Check water level on a regular basis and top up if necessary
- Use a test kit to check the pH of the water and adjust if necessary
- Check for algae and blanket weed and remove as necessary
- Check for dead and dying leaves on plants and remove as necessary
- Deadhead flowering plants on a regular basis
- Check plants for pests and diseases and treat as necessary
- Collect seeds from aquatic plants for propagation
- Feed plants using a slow release fertilizer
- Divide and transplant water lilies
- Thin oxygenators
- Add special fertilizer to aquatics
Fish & Wildlife
- This is a good time to put new fish into the pond
- Use high protein foods to feed fish
- Check fish for disease and treat as necessary
- Use a pond net to protect against herons etc
Structures & Equipment
- Biological filters should be cleaned
- Clean fountain and waterfall pump strainers
- Clean fountain jets and nozzles
- Top up water levels in freestanding water features
AUTUMN
Water & Plants
- Check for dead and dying leaves on plants and remove as necessary
- Cut back submerged plants where growth is excessive
- Collect young plantlets etc for propagation
- Move tender plants to a frost free location
- Where tender plants cannot be moved then protect with mulch
Fish & Wildlife
- Feed fish on sunny days
- Create cover for fish to use to protect themselves during winter
- Add rocks or log piles for newts to hibernate
Structures & Equipment
- Use a pond net to catch autumn leaves and remove as necessary
- Remove, clean and store any pumps and filters which will not be used during winter
- If pumps are used during winter then move them closer to water surface
WINTER
Water & Plants
- During very cold weather keep an area of water from freezing
- If snow falls onto ice on the pond then brush it away to allow light into pond
- Remove any dead vegetation
- Add a mulch of compost to pond side plants
Fish & Wildlife
- Do not feed fish when temperature is very low
- Avoid disrupting the pond so that you do not disturb hibernating pond life
Structures & Equipment
- Add a water heater to ensure that there is an area of water which is ice free
- If the pond does totally freeze over then use a pot of hot water to create a hole in the ice
- Protect or move container water gardens
- If water feature pots are not fully frost resistant then remove water from them
If you're interested in adding a simple water feature to your garden then check out our sister website 'Patio Cascades' which specialises in solar powered and self contained waterfalls and fountains.