4 Tips to Keep Your Pond Healthy in Fall

25 Oct 2022 Ponds

If you have an ecosystem pond or swim pond in your backyard, it is crucial to know how to keep it healthy, balanced, and looking great throughout the year. While fall is a beautiful time of year, it can also be a difficult season in terms of pond maintenance. From excessive fallen leaves to increased rainfall, many elements can negatively impact the health of your pond. As a leading provider of swim pond and ecosystem pond installation services, the team at Fontana Ponds & Water Features knows how important proper maintenance is for every pond. That is why we have put together a list of 4 tips to keep your pond healthy in fall.

Learn about 3 causes of murky pond water.

4 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Pond in Autumn

To keep your pond healthy throughout autumn, be sure to perform the following actions:

1. Regularly Remove Leaves and Other Debris

Installing a pond net over the surface of your water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to contain and manage leaves. Once a significant number of leaves have fallen, you can roll up your net, discard the leaves, and reinstall the net or put it away until it is needed again. If you were unable to install pond netting before fall, you will need to use a long-handled pond net or other tool to manually remove fallen leaves and other debris as soon as possible. If you allow leaves and other debris to sit in your pond and sink to the bottom, your pond’s balance and water health will be negatively impacted. This debris is also more difficult to remove than surface debris and will require more time and effort to clean.

2. Maintain Nearby Plants

Trimming dead foliage is crucial for maintaining your pond as it removes excessive organic debris that would otherwise decompose in the water. Cut your waterlilies just above the base of the plant and cut back marginal plants that could droop over into the water to ensure that your pond remains balanced and healthy.

3. Add Cold Water Bacteria

Adding cold water bacteria to your pond is a great way to keep it healthy once the water temperature drops below 10°C. In addition to keeping your pond balanced, regular use of cold water bacteria can help reduce springtime maintenance by digesting debris that may accumulate throughout fall and winter.

4. Ensure That Your Fish are Healthy

If your pond has fish in it, you will need to ensure that they are healthy before they go into hibernation. Once your pond’s water temperature drops below 10°C, the metabolism and digestion speed of your fish will significantly drop. To avoid overfeeding and excessive waste in your pond, it is a good idea to switch to cold water fish food for fall and carefully follow recommended feeding instructions.

To learn more about our pond design and installation services or to discuss the details of your project, get in touch with the team at Fontana Ponds & Water Features. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.