Spring Pond Maintenance

Pond maintenance in spring is usually the most intensive period of care and effort that any smaller water feature will require. This is particularly true if you keep koi or other fish, or a lot of plant life in your pond.

To begin an effective pond maintenance in spring simply remove all of the debris that may have accumulated over the winter or cooler weather months. This means fallen leaves, twigs or other plant materials. Once daytime temperatures reach fifty degrees, begin to monitor the temperature of the pond water, and once it too reaches between forty and fifty-five degrees clean any filters and pumps.

Properly cleaning the pump and filter is best done according to manufacturer instructions, and attention must be paid to ensure that no cleansers or oils will enter the water once the equipment is back in place. This is especially true for ponds with fish.

In the early spring it is also a good time to consider a water change. This is to allow an immediate oxygenation of the water, but also to ensure that best results once the temperatures really begin to rise. Remember, however, that if water is supplied through a softener or a public supply with chlorine, it should be treated in an appropriate manner in order to ensure that it will not hurt established plantings or pond inhabitants such as fish, frogs or turtles.

Pond maintenance in spring also includes improvements, and this can mean that it is time to add to an existing collection of water lilies or hyacinths as well as other water friendly flowers or grasses. Remember such plants will support the health of the pond by keeping the temperatures of the water regulated, supporting the fish or other creatures living in the waters and also helping with oxygenation.

Finally, pond maintenance in the spring should take into consideration any needs for oxygenation via the installation of a fountain or aeration system of some kind. This is most important in smaller ponds that contain fish. Fish waste contributes a great deal of nitrogen to the waters, which in turn nourish the growth of algae. If a pond is aerated, it will limit the amount of growth that occurs. It is important to note that the fountain should make larger droplets when it returns the water. This is to create the turbulence at the surface so necessary for successful oxygenation.