Our ponds awaken during Spring (late March-April-mid-May) in the PNW. Here are some tips to help you care for your pond during spring and essential items you may need to keep your pond healthy and clean.
Spring Pond Essentials:
Pond Nets & Netting: Pond nets can capture debris, fish, leaves, etc. Pond netting covers your pond completely to keep critters and large leaves out of your pond.
Water Treatments: Beneficial Bacteria or Sludge Reducer, Barley Logs or Barley/Peat Extract. Algae Control- Cleanmax or OxyPond Cleaner
Water Testing Kits: All in one strips, Complete Test Kits or Single Item Kits or Meters (Ammonia, PH, Hardness, etc.)
Thermometers: Floating during Spring-Fall. Use sinking thermometers fall-winter.
Spring/Fall Food: Feed your fish a wheat diet during spring and again in fall.
1. Monitor Pond Daily (or close to it). Turn On all Units and Pumps. Bring out filters or other pond equipment that may have been in the garage for the winter-such as- aerators, UV or IONGen, etc. Replace Netting or UV Bulbs
if needed. Monitor water level and Check for leaks or areas that need to be repaired.
2. Water Quality Issues, Testing, Treatments and Temperature. Testing our water regularly weekly or twice a month will help you stay on top of water quality issues. Adding cold-water Bacteria products will help reduce nutrient levels. As the water warms, we can switch to warm season bacteria and add Barley logs
to help control debris. Use your floating thermometer spring through fall to monitor fish health and water temperature.
3. Fish Health and Spring Feeding. Predator Control. Start to feed your fish Spring/Fall fish food, which is a diet that contains wheat which is an easier protein to digest during colder weather. Feed 1-3 times a week, on sunny days, only what they will eat within a couple of minutes. Remove uneaten fish food.
4. Plant Care and When to Add More. Plants can be up-potted or divided as needed and remove dead foliage. Add early pond bloomers during
March-May- such as Calla Lily, Marsh Marigold, Society Garlic, Grasses, etc. As we get warmer, add Hardy Waterlilies and annual floaters to your pond late April-May-
Water Hyacinths & Water Lettuce. Fertilize plants as they emerge if desired, otherwise let your fish fertilize them for you.
5. Complete Cleanout – decide if or when you will do or hire a pro. This should be done when fish are active and eating regularly. Please refer to our blog- 8 Steps the Cleaning Your Pond.
Stop in for your pond supplies, treatments and seasonal items. We love to talk about ponds!
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