Lakes and ponds serve many purposes on rural properties. They are an important source of water for crops, livestock, fish, birds, and wildlife. During the hot summer months, they can also be a great source of fun and recreation for the entire family. Additionally, ponds can boost your property value
When maintaining a pond, it’s important to remember that good quality water plays a crucial role in the health of a pond habitat. However, obtaining or maintaining good water quality can be difficult or nearly impossible if not done correctly. With a little education and experience, you will be more than capable of maintaining your pond.
How often should a pond be maintained?
Maintenance of a pond should begin immediately after construction. As you’ll learn later, this is extremely important. If you’re serious about owning a healthy garden, you need to consider the many factors that can negatively affect your water. If you don’t maintain your garden pond, it will become unappealing and unhealthy, and you won’t be able to support aquatic life.
How to Maintain your Pond
Keep it clean
It’s normal for dirt and decay to accumulate in ponds but it’s important that you address it. Leaf decay releases toxic gasses that destroy the ecological balance, making leaves a major threat. Leaves and other light debris can be collected and removed using a skimmer net to keep the reservoir clean.
Take care of nearby plants
Having trees in your garden can negatively affect your water feature. Luckily, you can use a trap net to prevent this. In addition, you can use a filter mat below the net to catch smaller debris that can be secured with rocks or bricks. The net should be emptied regularly during heavy leaf falls to prevent its contents from falling into the water. Using a net and mat will also protect your aquatic animals from predators.
Plant aquatic plants
When the water is warm and the plants can grow quickly, early summer is the best time to introduce new plants to your pond. You may want to consider planting oxygenator plants, lilies, marginal plants, floaters, and marsh plants as they boast a variety of unmatched benefits.
Avoid winter ice buildup
Winter can present a plethora of problems, especially if you’re living in a climate that tends to freeze. In a frozen pond, the water below the ice is deprived of oxygen and develops very low temperatures that pose a danger to aquatic life. Luckily, a ball or de-icer can be floated on the surface to prevent freezing. It’s also possible to install a heater to prevent any unwanted freezing in your pond.
Keep algae under control
When algae are allowed to grow excessively in a garden pond, they can pose a threat and become a big problem. However, these non-flowering plants are a good source of food for aquatic animals, so they should not be completely removed. Both natural and artificial methods can be used to control these micro-plants, it’s important to do your research to consider the best method for you and your pond.
Find and fix any leaks
A leaking problem should be suspected if your pond’s water level drops rapidly. You can confirm that your pond is leaking if the ground around it is wet, and you did not pour water on it. Addressing any leaks quickly and efficiently is imperative for maintaining a healthy, thriving pond.
Keep the right level of water
Pond water levels drop quickly during hot weather, and this can cause aquatic organisms to lack oxygen making it extremely important to top off the pond with freshwater if the water level drops. Using tap water is not recommended because it contains a lot of dissolved salts and encourages excessive algae growth.
Maintain correct temperature
There are a variety of factors that may impact the climate in your pond. If the temperature is too low as a result of ice or chilly climates, you can create an ideal temperature for your water feature by using a heating system. Aquatic life can also be negatively affected by hotter water in the warm summer months meaning you should also be cognisant of this risk. If you notice your pond is becoming too hot, you can sprinkle cold water on it.
Are you ready to maintain your pond with confidence?
By addressing the root cause of the problem, natural pond care programs are a far better way to maintain ponds. Your pond’s ecosystem will gradually become self-sustaining as a result of natural products, lowering your long-term costs. In addition, natural solutions are safe for the applicator and the environment.