Despite the mild weather recently, January is still considered one of the coldest winter months in the UK. That doesn’t mean you can spend all your time hiding inside with a warm cup of cocoa – there’s some maintenance work to do for your garden pond.
This is the perfect time to overhaul the pump system or simply ensure that all the sludge and debris has been cleared away around your pond and the plants beneath the surface are getting enough light.
Removing debris and leaves
Clearing all the debris and leaves that have gathered since autumn makes sure that, when the warm weather does come, you don’t encounter any problems with the water quality. You might also want to trim the surrounding overhanging branches and get as much light as possible to your underwater algae and other pond plants so they can photosynthesise more effectively. If you have fish or other pond life, making sure the area is clear and clean is important any time of the year but more so in the winter. One option for cleaning the area is to use something like a pump vacuum that draws up the water, filters out the sludge and debris before returning it to the pond.
Staying on top of debris is one of the most important tasks you need to perform for garden pond maintenance in January and something you shouldn’t neglect.
New Plants
With warmer weather just a couple of months around the corner, then it is also a good time to plan for the spring and summer and decide whether you need to order new plants. It’s also a good opportunity to pick up other pond bargains which companies may be selling cheaper at this time a year.
Dealing with icy situations
Of course, one problem in January is the tendency of the pond water to freeze over and there are a number of ways you can counter this. If you have fish in your pond, you need to make sure that they get enough oxygen and investing in a proper water heater is a good idea. Decaying matter can get trapped beneath the ice and produce harmful gases even if you have a decent pump fitted. Heaters work by creating holes in the ice through which these gases can escape as well as allowing oxygen to get in. If your pond does freeze over avoid the temptation to break the ice as the sound waves can actually harm pond life – instead try placing a pan with hot water in it onto the surface and melting through gradually if you don’t have a specialist device.
Overhauling your pump
If you have a decent sized pond, the chances are you will have some form of pump and January is a pretty good time to give the mechanism an overhaul. Cleaning out the impellor and housing and giving the strainer cage a good wash to clear it of dirt and debris will ensure that your pump operates more efficiently as you head into spring and summer. If you are not confident of doing this yourself then getting a specialist in is worth the extra expenditure. Regular pump maintenance not only keeps the water in good condition but also increases the operating life of your device.
Some simple garden pond maintenance in January is all you need to make sure that, when the warmer weather comes, you don’t have to deal with any major problems.
Just when you were thinking of the coming spring and summer months, February arrives and the temperatures drop dramatically.
It’s always a good idea during this time of year to keep an eye on the weather forecast and track any severe cold snaps that could freeze over the water in your pond and cause problems.
There isn’t a great deal else to do in February but if you have neglected things for a while make sure that you clear out all that debris and sludge to keep the water nice and clean.
Check the Water Level
Pond water levels can drop, so it’s a good idea to keep a check and top up when necessary. Shallow water is more likely to totally freeze which can be catastrophic if you have fish installed who will be busy hibernating near the bottom. It’s also not very good for pond plants and algae. The most common cause of leaks in ponds is from winter frost damage and if your water level keeps dropping then you may have to inspect the structure to make sure there are no cracks or holes that need to be repaired.
Invest in a Water Heater
Keep an eye on the weather and if you want to maintain your pond in good health then invest in a water heater that ensures bad gases aren’t trapped under ice and your pond life can get adequate levels of oxygen. How much you have to do at this time of year will generally depend on the size of your pond. For larger installations you may well find that the water is less likely to freeze over unless there is a severe cold snap whilst smaller ones will need closer monitoring. If you can’t afford a heater and want to make sure that you aren’t surprised by a sudden cold snap, simply floating a ball on the surface can delay the formation of ice.
Waterfalls
If you have a waterfall incorporated into your pond feature, it may be a good idea to turn it off for February as if this freezes it can put a lot of pressure on the pump mechanism.
Fish in February
In cold weather your fish will normally settle near the bottom of the pond and continue to hibernate so you should be leaving them alone entirely and not feeding them at all (as this can cause harmful effects such as the build-up of bacteria in their guts).
End of the Month
As you approach the end of February and head into March you may well see a rise in temperatures and now is a good time to test the water quality and take the necessary action if remedial work needs to be undertaken.
A Good Time to Plan a Pond
If you don’t already have one, February is also a great time to begin thinking about having a garden pond installed. All the design and installation work can be done in time for the start of spring and they’re a great garden feature for attracting various wildlife into the garden.
Copyright © Wessex Aquascapes 2024. All Rights Reserved
