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 and air diffusers
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 the photos below for examples)
• 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.

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  A typical pond net frame with netting stretched over the frame and secured with rock around the perimeter. This frame is made of 1/2" schedule 40 PVC pipe with 18" x 1/2" rebar anchors. Larger ponds require 3/4" or larger pipe with support bracing in the middle to support the netting.
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  Another pond net frame with netting stretched over the frame. This frame is made of 3/4" to 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe with 1/2" rebar anchors.
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  A pond net frame with netting stretched over the frame. This frame is made of 3/4" to 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe with 1/2" rebar anchors.
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  A pond net frame with netting stretched over the frame. This frame is made of 3/4" to 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe with 1/2" rebar anchors.

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  A close-up view of the tie used to secure two pipes.

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