What’s the best shape for a garden pond?
There are a number of key things to consider including: the views and enjoyment, shade vrs sunlight, overhanging trees, wildlife, drainage, and safety.
How to prevent my pond freezing over?
It is important for fish and wildlife that you prevent your pond freezing over. If you can keep a small hole ice-free, this allows oxygen to enter and harmful toxic gases to escape into the air. So what is the best way to achieve this?
You should never attempt to break pond ice, as the shockwave can damage the tissues of fish. It also causes them considerable stress which can make them more prone to disease.
One solution often recommended is to add a tennis ball to your pond. The idea is that the bobbing action prevents ice crystals forming. In practice though, a tennis ball will usually freeze into the ice before too long.
By far the most reliable solution is to install a simple ‘plug-in-and-play’ Ice Preventer. Floating pond heaters are a very reliable method of keeping an area of your pond ice free all winter long.
More winter pond tips and advice...
Should I use a pond net cover in autumn and winter?
Pond covers are square or rectangular nets that you secure about the edges of your pond. Used during the year they are a good way to protect small to medium sized fish from herons.
Should I turn my water feature off in winter?
Provided your waterfall or feature is not part of your filtration recirculation system you can turn your water fall or water feature off in winter.
Should I turn my UV clarifier off in winter?
If you have fish, don’t turn off your UV clarifiers in winter. They don’t just kill algae that cause ‘green water’. They also kill bacteria and viruses that can cause disease in your fish.
Should I turn my pond pumps off in winter?
All pond pumps except those feeding pond filters can be turned off in winter to save electricity. Pond filters should be online all year including winter.
Should I turn my pond filters off in winter?
If you have fish you should keep your filters online all day, all night – every day of the year!
Should I lower the water level of my pond in winter?
Reducing water levels in winter is sometimes suggested to stop ponds overflowing, but this may put fish and wildlife at risk.
Should I feed my fish during winter?
You should not feed your fish during winter when the water is cold. Unlike us, fish are generally just fine going without food.
Should I cut back my water lilies in winter?
Water lilies and other submerged plants die back in winter. If you have fish, it is a good idea to cut them right back to just above the rhizomes. This reduces the amount of decaying matter in your pond and improves water quality.
Should I cut back my marginal pond plants in winter?
Dead and dying pond plants provide vital habitat for the survival of wildlife during winter. But if your focus is on the well-being of your fish you may want to cut them back.
Should I clean my pond before winter?
Late winter or early spring is the best time to completely drain down your pond for a thorough clean.
However before winter arrives it is handy to have a pond skimmer to harvest falling leaves, and a pond vac to remove excess waste from the bottom of your pond.
How to prepare your pond for winter
How you prepare your pond for winter depends on the type of pond you have; a natural pond with a focus on wildlife, or fish ponds.