Once a year take your pump out of the pond and give the pump and filter a thorough clean. You can also use a floating pond de-icer to stop the surface of the water freezing during winter. Keeping a fountain or waterfall running year-round can help to aerate the water and keep your fish healthy. To make your pond water a beautiful turquoise blue color, you can add a small amount of pond dye to give it a healthy appearance. You’ll also need to cut back any wilted or dying plants in and around the edges of the pond.Īdding beneficial bacteria to the pond can help to break down waste material in the pond quicker and keep the water cleaner. Once your pond is established you’ll need to regularly scoop out leaves and other debris that falls into the pond.Ī long handled net makes this job easier or you can install a skimmer box if you don’t have time to do it manually. Submerged plants like hornwort help to oxygenate the water and they’re a good choice if you have fish in your pond.Water hyacinths and water lettuce are popular floating pond plants but they need to be managed closely because they can easily become overgrown and cover the entire surface of the pond. Floating pond plants don’t need soil and drift around on the surface of the pond.Marginal plants like lotus and water lilies can be planted in pots and placed on the bottom of the pond or on shelves built in to the side of the pond.Bog plants like canna lilies and irises provide shelter for frogs and other wildlife that visit the pond and help to stabilize the area around the pond.Pond PlantsĪquatic plants not only beautify a pond, they also help to improve the pond’s ecosystem. When you have fish in your pond you can use a dechlorination solution to remove the chlorine or allow the water to sit in buckets for a couple of days before adding it to the pond. Tap water can be used to fill up a new pond but you’ll need to leave it for a day or two to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Installing a pond liner takes a bit more time and expertise but you can create the pond in the exact shape you want, including different depths and shelves around the edge of the pond. Most pond liners are thick enough to withstand damage from rocks falling into the pond and tree roots, but there are patch kits available if the liner becomes torn. It’s made from synthetic rubber which is durable and flexible. Pond liner is another option for lining your pond. This makes it hard to drain the pond to clean it. Preformed ponds can also lift up out of the ground if there isn’t enough water in the pond to weigh it down. They’re ideal for constructing a small pond but there are limited shapes available and freight can be expensive. Preformed ponds are strong enough to withstand tree roots and rocks falling into the pond. Preformed ponds and pond liners are the two most common pond lining options and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Before you start digging your pond, check to make sure that there aren’t any electricity cables or pipes underneath the ground.Ponds located in low lying areas can also be contaminated by runoff from fertilizers and pesticides used in the garden. It’s best to avoid building a pond in a valley or low spot in the backyard that can flood during heavy rain.Tree roots growing underneath the pond can also create tears in the pond liner. Leaves from overhanging trees falling into the pond can be a real problem, so it’s best to situate your pond away from trees, especially deciduous trees.Most pond plants need at least five to six hours of sunlight each day to grow and bloom.This reduces oxygen levels in the water and increases the likelihood of an algal bloom. Ponds located in full sun without any shade can heat up quickly, especially during the hot summer months.The best location for a backyard pond is somewhere that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |