The pond year
The pond year in four seasons
What a pond needs, and what we do about it, from the first thaw to the first hard freeze. Dates are typical for the western suburbs.
Spring opening
The pond wakes up when the water holds above about 50°F, usually April. Start-up goes slowly: the water is cold and the fish are still sluggish.
Net and de-icer off, leaves and sludge out
Skimmer, filter pads and pump intake cleaned
Liner edge, stones and plumbing checked for winter damage
Part of the water refreshed and conditioned
Feeding restarts above 50°F, on a wheat-germ food at first
Lilies and edge plants go in after the last frost
Summer care
Warm water holds less oxygen and grows more algae. Most of the work is small and often.
Check the water level after every hot week
Empty the skimmer basket every few days
Feed lightly once the water passes 80°F
Fertilize the lilies and trim spent leaves
A cleanout visit in July, or sooner if the water won't clear
Fall closing
Leaves are the enemy. A net up before the maples drop and a closing visit when the water holds below about 50°F.
Net on before the leaves fall
Switch to wheat-germ food below 60°F, stop below 50°F
Hardy plants cut back, tropical plants brought indoors
Final cleanout, pump pulled or set deep
De-icer in and tested
Winter
A pond that holds water stays full. The one job is keeping a hole in the ice.
De-icer on after the first hard freeze
Don't smash the ice; it can stun the fish
Keep snow off the net
Call us if the de-icer trips or the cord is cut
Go by the water
Four numbers we watch
A thermometer in the water tells you more than the calendar.
Above 50°F
Feed again, with a wheat-germ food. Time to open the pond if it has held for a week.
Above 60°F
Regular food is fine. Algae picks up, so check the skimmer and the filter every week.
Above 80°F
Feed lightly and keep the water moving. This is when algae blooms and fish are at risk.
Below 50°F
Stop feeding. Close the pond if it has held for a week and the leaves are down.
Between visits
What you can do yourself
A pond doesn't need you every day, but it likes a regular look. These take five minutes.
Empty the skimmer
When you water the garden, lift the basket and shake out the leaves.
Read the thermometer
Write the water temperature down on the first of each month. It tells us when to open and when to close.
Top off slowly
Add water a little at a time, with the hose pointed at the rocks, not the fish.
Send a photo
If something looks different, text us a picture. It may only need a look.
Put your pond on the calendar
Opening and closing book early. Tell us about the pond and we'll find a week that suits the water.