So that you can continue to enjoy your garden pond, you should take good care of it all year round. Even in winter, regular checks and care measures are required. We have put together for you what you need to think about and when.
How do I care for my garden pond all year round?
Pond care throughout the year includes spring preparations, summer monitoring of water quality and algae removal, autumn leaf removal and desludging as well as winter frost protection by moving sensitive plants and fish and installing an ice keeper.
Care all year round
The water quality of a garden pond must be checked regularly, not just in summer, when strong plant growth and warm temperatures are an issue. Care measures are also necessary again and again in spring when the growing season begins, in autumn when the leaves fall and in winter when frost comes. Especially if you keep fish in your pond, year-round care is necessary.
In spring
In spring, the care measures for a pond focus primarily on preparing for the summer phase. From March onwards, all plant and animal pond inhabitants that are not hardy and therefore hibernate indoors must be checked for their he alth and brought back outside when the temperatures are consistently warmer. Plants can now be easily cut back and grasses can be divided if necessary. You should measure the pH value and temperature of the water every two weeks from March onwards and counteract unfavorable developments. From the end of May, electrical devices such as filter pump systems can be launched and put into operation again.
Spring measures to remember:
- Check plant and animal pond inhabitants for he alth
- Pruning plants
- Check the pH value and temperature of the water every two weeks, later weekly
- Start using electric pond devices at the end of May
In summer
Summer is the most labor-intensive season when it comes to pond care. Now a lot of plant material is sprouting and the water temperature is rising, which can quickly lead to a biological imbalance. Keyword: algae bloom. Now not only check the pH value weekly, but also the oxygen content of the pond water. Even if you continually reduce algae, other nutrient excess factors such as fish feed, garden soil and plant material that have been washed in can lead to increased oxygen consumption in the water and threaten any fish population.
Summer measures to remember:
- Fish algae and other organic material from the pond
- Regularly measure the pH and oxygen value of the water
- Ventilate in case of critical oxygen drop
In Autumn
Autumn also brings its work with it. Because now colorful fallen leaves must be removed from the pond surface. It unnecessarily enriches the water with nutrients, which increases the layer of sludge at the bottom of the pond and promotes algae growth. You should also remove any wilting material from pond plants. The annual desludging or water exchange should take place towards the end of autumn.
Autumn measures to remember:
- Fishing fallen leaves from the surface of the water
- Cleaning up wilting pond plants
- Desludging/exchanging water
In winter
Winter time does not necessarily mean rest time for the pond. After all, now is frost time. This means: pond plants and fish that are not hardy must be relocated to their winter quarters in good time. A frozen pond is usually not a problem for the survival of cold-hardy fish. But to make sure that there isn't a too thick, oxygen-reducing layer of mulch on the floor, you should install an ice preventer (€18.00 on Amazon).
Winter measures to remember:
- Relocate cold-sensitive fish and plants indoors
- maybe. Install ice preventer
