Winter Maintenance for the Water Garden

In the winter, there is maintenance that must be done for your water garden that can't be accomplished at other times of the year. Follow this guide to winter maintenance for the water garden to ensure you have a healthy, happy environment for plants and fish alike.

There isn't much to be done in the water garden during winter when it comes to maintenance aside from preventing the pond from freezing over. The fish will remain close to the bottom and should not be fed during the winter months.

Winter Maintenance for the Water Garden - Prevent Freezing

If you live in a cold climate, this is the most important winter water garden maintenance task. A pond heater is the best way to keep the pond from freezing in very cold climates. You should install the pond heater in the fall before the temperature drops to below freezing. The heater can be connected to the same electricity supply that powered the pump in the pond.

In a climate where the winters are a bit warmer, you can place a floating object such as a rubber ball on the surface of the water to prevent freezing. If the pond does begin to freeze, do not crack the ice with a hammer or similar object. This shock can kill the fish at the bottom of the pond.

Instead of cracking the ice, there is another maintenance task you can perform instead. Place a pan of boiling water on the ice to melt a hole in the ice. You might need to do this more than once per day if the winter is very cold. Do not pour boiling water directly on the ice as the shock can kill the fish.

Winter Maintenance for the Water Garden - Control the Algae

Another important winter maintenance task for the water garden is to control the algae. As the fish and other inhabitants of the pond won't be active for this task, you'll have to look elsewhere for algae control.

Look at local home improvement stores or gardening shops for biodegradable straw pads. Float a few of the straw pads in your pond throughout the winter. Not only will they keep the algae formation to a minimum, they will also help prevent the pond from freezing over. One pad usually lasts about six months before it needs replacing. At this rate, you shouldn't have to perform any more maintenance on the water garden all winter.