Campbell & Ferrara
Outdoor Living
www.campbellferrara.com

FALL & WINTER POND CARE

Garden ponds and waterfalls can be just as striking in the fall & winter months with snow and ice as they are the rest of the year.

Winter care consists mainly of preventing the water from freezing solid. Most novices and even some veterans shut down their pumps & waterfalls each winter. This is not correct. Not only does the waterfall become unsightly, but it also gives the pond a chance to freeze, causing methane gas to be trapped and cutting off oxygen circulation to the area.

Keep your pond and waterfall running all year. Your fish will be much happier with the constant renewal of fresh oxygen. Your pond will stay much cleaner and next year's cleaning out process will be minimized.

During the fall, your fish's diet should consist of what germ only , because it is much easier and quicker for the fish to digest. When the temperature starts falling below 50 degrees Farenheit, it is time to stop feeding your fish.

All aquatic plants can be pruned back. Perennials, lilies, and lotus should be submerged to their recommended depths; discard hyacinths and winter lettuce. Aquatic plant fertilization should be stopped until spring.

Clean all pump intakes and bio-filter as needed. Net your pond prior to the fall foliage dropping. Place a pond de-icer in the water around November. Most of the pond de-icers on the market have a thermal switch, which will activate when temperatures reach freezing.

Follow these three steps and your will enjoy your pond and waterfall during the winter months:
1. Keep you pond running all winter.
2. Stop feeding your fish when the temperature is below 50 degrees Farenheit.
3. Make sure the pond does not totally freeze over by using a de-icer.

Fall Pond Supplies:
* Pond Netting
* Pond De-Icer
* Bio Filters (if needed)
* Fall Beneficial Bacterial Additives
* Wheat Germ Fish Food