For some people, a garden is a place where life goes slowly. They can rest, focus on nature, and forget about daily hassles. For others, the garden is seen as an exhausting chore that takes lots of time, nerves, and an infinite source of omnipresent dirt.
As we all know, weather conditions have the most significant impact on the gardens. Both small and big. If you want to have your garden in perfect shape, you have to spend some money and time on it. Especially after winter, when nature is slowly getting back to life. Even though picking up the leaves or pulling up the weeds are important issues during the process of restoring the garden, if you have a pond, do not forget about it. Without care, ponds may transform into an eyesore with overgrown plants, and a swamp with unhealthy-looking water.
If you want to have a glorious spring pond opening, it is worth considering following a few steps to restore it correctly. Just think about crystal clear water and colorful fish swimming in it. The actions you will take for your pond lead to how healthy the fish will be, how long the pond will last as a pond, and not a puddle, and how much you will enjoy it! What is essential, if you seal the pond correctly in the winter, the amount of spring restoration work will be much smaller. And always remember about removing sludge before the warmer months.
Clean out the pond
The best way to restore your pond from the winter state is by full cleaning. You should remove all the sludge from the walls and bottom of the pond, change as much water as needed, pull out putrid plants, and wash well any accessories which are in the pond. When it comes to the bottom of the pond, you should be extremely gentle as you may risk disturbing hibernating frogs. While performing these tasks, it is worth considering using beneficial bacteria for ponds. They reduce sludge buildup, improve water clarity, and reduce oxygen demand. Remember, nature needs time to balance water.
Start water filtration
Aeration is crucial to maintain the perfect condition of the pond. The process allows the oxygen to flow through the water. It helps plants and fish to function well. You can use pond aerators or pumps. Their settings should be adjusted to the temperatures and weather conditions at the location of the pond.
Take care of the fish
Fish are a beautiful addition to the ponds, but keep in mind forget that they are living creatures. You should always remember to feed them but remember that overfeeding or starting feeding too early can cause a lot of problems. Be sure your fish are clear of any ulcers and they do not have cloudy eyes. Help your pond to develop a natural cycle. That will help to avoid n adding a lot of chemical substances which in the majority of cases are harmful to the wildlife, so be sure to find the golden mean.
Check the numbers
There are a lot of factors connected with the water’s parameters: temperature, pH, and kH. The temperature should be adjusted to the fish species living in your pond. On average, a little bit more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for both fish and biological filters. Remember that any aerators or small waterfalls will keep the water cool, so there is no need to check the temperature every day. The average value of pH is about 7.4. Of course, it depends on the type of fish and plants you have in your pond. The pH level will help you to set the ideal timing of adding or decreasing ammonia. The last factor is Kh. It shows the level of carbonate hardness. It should be as high as possible. If you can not maintain the required levels, it may be needed to change the small amount of water. In this situation, ensure that there is no dramatic difference of temperatures.
Add plants
Plants are the essential elements of the ecosystem. They produce oxygen and absorb excessive nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Remember that ponds with plants are often richer wildlife habitats. In summer, plants should cover over 60% of the water surface. While maintaining the pond, you should keep in mind that if it is suddenly neglected, plant growth will be not controlled and you’ll need to put much more effort later to restore the water body’s initial looks. You have to keep in mind that the fish and plants should be in the shady area. Be sure that the shadow from trees, bushes, or buildings protect the wildlife from the intense light.
Ponds are a lovely addition to any garden and can provide a rich habitat for a range of wildlife, so be sure that you take care of it properly!
