Depending on where you live, your pond might be showing the first signs of thawing … or it may be another month or two before that happens. No matter your geographic location, here are some tips for when your pond begins to thaw.
You may see lots of string algae. That’s okay since nothing is taking the nutrients out of the water at this time and the bacteria is not yet active. Don’t panic! It’s the only green plant growing so leave it alone.
Once your pond is cleaned out, some algae may grow again. Remember, it will probably still be cold and the above information is still relevant.
Keeping your pond running during the frozen months of winter will allow you to enjoy the beautiful ice sculptures that form in the stream and waterfall. Although beautiful, it’s possible that the ice buildup can form dams that could divert your pond water out of the pond. Check on the waterfall and stream and monitor the water level periodically throughout the winter. If you see an ice dam forming or the water level dropping at a high rate, your pond might be losing water because of the frozen sculpture and it might be time to turn off the pump for the winter. If you decide to leave the pond running until warmer weather however, your main concern is to ensure there is enough water for the pump(s) to operate properly.
Every autumn falling leaves are inevitable, so it’s best to be prepared and minimize the maintenance you’ll need to do in the late fall and early spring. You may want to cover your pond with Aquascape Pond Netting until the bulk of the leaves have fallen. This is the time of year when you also need to make a decision about your water feature. Should you shut it down or leave it running through the winter?
