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Follow these steps when it's time to get your pond ready
for the Spring and Summer seasons:
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Remove any netting used to cover your pond during the winter in March or early April.
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If your bog plants have been set in the deep section of your pond during the winter, now set them in place on the bog shelves for spring and summer. At this time, you should see new green shoots growing. This is the time to start fertilizing your plants.
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Remove sediment from the bottom of the pond with either a wet or dry vac or a fish net. If the sediment is too thick, draining the pond might be necessary.
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When the water temperature starts warming, your fish will become more active and you can then start coaxing them to eat floating fish food. Remember to measure water temperature half way down and the thermometer should read at least upper 40’s.
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Bring your pond pump from storage, and place it in the pond for spring and summer use.
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Raise waterline to the top of the pond if there has been evaporation over the winter. If adding less than 6” of water to pond, de-chlorination is not necessary. If there is more than 6”, add a de-chlorinator.
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Clean any pre-filters and biological filters thoroughly.
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Spring is a great time to add some fish medications as a preventative step because the immune system of fish is often weaker in the spring.
Spring is the time of year to prepare your pond plants for their summer splendor!
In the early part of the year as the weather warms and ice melts from the pond, early flowering pond plants should be moved to their proper depth in the water. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), water iris, water-forget-me-not, lobelia (and others) all need to be near the surface of the water so that they start their spring growth and have adequate opportunity to set bud bloom late in the year.
Make sure to clean plants of old growth so that the pond will stay clear. Fertilize hardy water plants when the pond temperature reaches about 50 degrees F, using 1-2 pond tabs for every gallon of soil. You can divide many water plants in the spring, before they start to actively grow, especially water lilies. Repotting is also appropriate at this time of year for many marginal plants.
Summer is when you sit by the pond, relaxing in its peaceful beauty.
As your pond plants grow and prosper through the summer, they need little care other than monthly feeding with plant fertilizer. Clean the plants of spent flowers and dying foliage, just to keep them neat and trim. Summer is also a good time of year to divide water iris, after they have finished flowering for the year.
Your lotus especially will command center stage with lush leaves and large, showy flowers in mid summer. Also, Pickerel Rush and other late starters such as ‘Bloomin Baby’ Arrowhead will come alive.
Water lilies will be at their peak bloom and you can enjoy varieties that range in color from deep red, bright pink, peach, yellow, white and changeables.
Summer is also a time when oxygen levels in the water can lower, so adding additional aeration can benefit your fish as well as help to control algae.
Equipment and Other Items You Will Need:
Long handled hand net.
Hose and water source to add water due to evaporation.
Pond vacuum for cleaning. Best to clean in spring; less stressful on the fish.
Protective cage to protect pump intake.
Tub for holding fish (for treatment and/or to quarantine).
Aerator or spare pump for water oxygenation.
Water treatments -dechlorinator, pond dye (if desired), etc.
Beneficial bacteria for green water algae control.
Algaecides for string algae control.
Lily Pruner -especially helpful in large water gardens.
Fish Food.
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