Preparing Your Water Garden for Fall Operation

With the onset of cooler temperatures and falling leaves, now is the time to prepare our water gardens for winter operation. Notice I said operation and not closure. More and more water gardens are operating their circulating and filtration systems throughout the winter months. The positive results in doing this are very rewarding; the advantages include:

1. Maintains excellent water quality
2. Healthier aquatic life
3. Vent holes are established and maintained with running water
4. Beautiful ice formations

You can use this check list as a winterization guideline:

• Pump maintenance - inspect and clean intake, etc.
• Filtration system - clean or replace media if needed
• Monitor water temperature
• Stop bacteria applications when the water temperature drops to 55° F
• Stop feeding fish when the water temperature drops to 48° F
• Close bottom water intake to maintain warmer bottom temperatures for fish
• Install pond netting and support structure before leaves begin to fall (See a typical photo)
• Remove tropical plants before the first frost (Cannas, Palm Umbrella, Taro, etc.)
• Remove annuals after the first frost (lettuce, Hyacinth, etc.)
• Trim submerged plants back to 7-8" below the pond surface
• Trim marginals and lilies back after they die after the first killing frost
• Install pond heater if needed

Feel free to Contact Us if you have any other questions.