All You Need to Know about Pond Care
If you are wondering how to improve the appearance of your garden, going for a lovely pond is a solution you wouldn’t regret. Whether you want to enjoy the wildlife in your backyard or you prefer a purely decorative garden addition, having a pond is an investment worth making. Once you have your pond installed in the garden, you need to make sure the right maintenance has been provided. Here is how to take care of your pond the right way:
Remove debris on time
Removing debris regularly will help you to keep your garden pond looking its best all the time. While dealing with the chore as often as you can is crucial to the well-kept appearance of your pond, this task has a lot to do with the health of pond fish as well. You need to get rid of fallen leaves and sticks before they get the chance to end up on the bottom of your pond and start decaying. Decayed debris is likely to make the levels of ammonia in the water spike, which is harmful to the well-being of wildlife. To easily eliminate debris from the pond, take advantage of a handy pond net.
Don’t go overboard with plants
Pond plants make your garden look even fresher, just remember not to have the entire surface covered with plants. While photosynthesis lasts, plants take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide, which might lead to oxygen deficiency for your fish. Keep the right balance of pond plants, so that both greenery and wildlife can thrive in the pond.
Keep an eye on water levels in summer
During the hot summer days you are most likely to enjoy all the perks a beautiful pond provides, but to do that you should take the right care of your garden addition. As temperatures rise significantly, the water level will decrease, that’s what you need to top it up. An insufficient amount of water in the pond means less oxygen for your fish, that’s why you should be careful with water evaporation. The best solution to the problem is for you to make the most of rainwater, but if this is not an option, tap water can be added as well. Just remember to add tap water slowly and in small amounts, to allow wildlife to get adjusted to the lower temperature of the tap water.
Ensure warmth and light in winter
If your pond is full of fish, you might want to prevent it from freezing once temperatures drop. You can achieve that goal by installing a pond heater or by simply floating a ball on the water. In case your pond has already frozen, you should get rid of the ice by melting it. Placing a hot pan on the surface is a smart approach to take care of a frozen pond and what you should never forget is that you need to get rid of ice gently. Don’t try to smash it, since the waves caused by the action could be harmful to the fish. Another winter tip to remember is to try providing as much light as possible for your fish. Remove snow from the pond or prune branches that cast a shade on the pond to rest assured wildlife gets enough oxygen in winter.
Take the right care of your garden pond all year long with the help of these tips. Remove debris like fallen leaves and small sticks before they decay to keep pond fish healthy. Wildlife in the pond should be supplied with a sufficient amount of oxygen to survive, so don’t go overboard with pond plants. Keep an eye on water levels in summer and top up the pond if water starts to evaporate. In winter you should prevent ice from forming on the pond surface and gently melt it in case it appears.
