Autumn pond care

18.8.24

As autumn deals a blow to summer and eventually trumpets the arrival of winter, pond care looms into view for both domestic and commercial pond owners. Diligence during both seasons ensures the health and sustainability of your pond and its future spring ecosystem. Let's take a look at autumn pond care and touch on some winter pond care tips too.

Seasonal changes and pond care

Ponds change in autumn and winter because falling temperatues slow down biological activity. Aquatic plants and algae growth decrease, while fallen leaves and decaying vegetation can push up the accumulation of organic matter, potentially causing water quality issues. Understanding these seasonal shifts is the first step in effective pond management. The pond care actions you take in autumn set the scene and will likely have a lasting impact through winter and into the following spring.

Don't leaf it too late

Garden ponds surrounded by deciduous trees can end up full of falling leaves that accumulate in the water and decompose, increasing nutrient levels and potentially causing algal blooms in the warmer months. You might wish to cover your pond with a net to catch leaves and twigs, ideally with gaps around the edge to allow wildlife to come and go.

Aquatic plants and ponds

Many aquatic plants start to diminish in colder seasons. Pruning them back to prevent excess organic matter from decomposing in the water is key. This can be a specialist job and so please do get in touch with us as it must be executed correctly.

Algae, weed control and ponds

Although plant growth slows, some aquatic weeds and algae might still flourish into early autumn. Again, at The Aqua Contractor, we can help with this, so please do get in touch.

Feeding pond fish in autumn and winter

Fish become less active and, generally speaking, require less food in cooler weather. Overfeeding can lead to excess waste, contributing to poorer water quality. Monitor water temperatures and do some research about what your particular fish at autumn and winter temperatures should be eating and how frequently.

Winter Pond care

You can't take your eye off the ball in winter either, regardless of how much preparatory work you do in autumn. Even though aquatic plants and fish enter a state of reduced activity, there are still steps to take to ensure your pond remains healthy.

Ponds can freeze

Ponds can freeze over during winter, trapping the likes of carbon dioxide and methane from decomposing organic matter, thereby creating toxic conditions for fish and other aquatic life. Ways around this include pond heaters, or a floating object on the water surface. But breaking ice forcibly can distress fish.

Water quality monitoring

Try to monitor water quality in winter as well as autumn because high nutrient levels from decaying organic matter can lead to problems further down the line in spring. Test your water for ammonia, nitrites, and pH levels at regular intervals. Partial water changes can maintain balance, but ensure the new water is close in temperature to the old to avoid shocking the pond's residents.

Think of wildlife

On that note, ponds are crucial habitats for wildlife in winter, like frogs, newts, and overwintering insects. Providing a shallow area with plant cover can create a safe refuge for them during the cold snaps. Frogs and newts hibernating at the bottom of the pond will be ready and waiting to lay waste to slugs and snails in spring.

commercial ponds

For larger, commercial ponds, winter management may involve aeration systems that should be maintained and monitored to ensure they continue to oxygenate the water throughout the winter. Regularly inspect and clear out any inflows and outflows to prevent blockages that could lead to flooding or water quality issues, and remember that at The Aqua Contractor, we’re always on hand to manage it for you.

Sources:

Gardenersworld.com

Envil.co.uk