Labor Day weekend, the last hurrah for summer, and all our thoughts go back to…everything and everything is coming like a freight train. Back-to-school, kids sports programs, the holidays just WEEKS away, and time to winterize the pond. No, not exactly time to say goodbye to the pond yet, but we all know that the time is drawing near where for a few months here in the northeast our ponds becomes just something pretty look at. A nice waterfall running with a snowy scene behind it.

     But before all that hits, there is still some work to be done as our insurance investment to be enjoyed just a few months away; it is kind of a maintenance 3-month CD. Try to winterize your pond before the leaves all really come down, say late October, here is a quick check list to follow, but of course, do what needs to be done specifically for your pond! These are just some suggestions.

• Remove excess debris from the inside of the pond
• Remove floating tropical pond plants
• Cut back your hardy aquatic plants
• Clean thoroughly the pond’s filter system
• Disconnect and remove your seasonal equipment (i.e. UV sterilizer)
• Add a cold water beneficial pond bacteria charge
• Get your aerator or de-icer staged and be sure it is still working ok
• Check out all your fish very closely, make note of anything unusual
• Switch to “Fall Blend” fish food
• Cover your pond with netting to protect from heavy leaf fall

     These are just some general guidelines to prepare your pond to winter successfully. You will have to know your pond and do what needs to be done specifically for your pond and your area, winterizing an Arizona pond is different from winterizing a New Jersey pond. Remember too that there are pond service professionals, many of them certified, that offer these and other pond services at usually very agreeable prices and can usually be found in your area with a quick Google search. Feel free to call Full service Aquatics to schedule your pond winterization service, or for free advice.

     The LOVE YOUR POND blog is written by Mike Gannon of Full Service Aquatics. Mike is a professional pond builder and expert in the broad topics of fishkeeping and water gardening. Mike also produces THE POND HUNTER video series which can be viewed on Youtube. “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” the Pond Hunter videos provide how-to pond construction videos, pondumentaries, and videos of related interest. Mike resides in New Jersey with his wife and 2 daughters. To visit his website go to www.loveyourpond.com and visit The Pond Hunter at www.youtube.com/thepondhunter.

Winter Scene Pond