Outdoor Pond Care

Winter

• If you want to keep fish in the pond during the winter/snowy season, put de-icer in the pond so that methane gas does not build up and kill your fish. Take out the pond's pump and filter, and pick up any debris and deceased plants in the water. In addition, put a couple of tennis balls in the pond, as this relieves pressure on the pond when ice begins to form. Look at the level of water regularly during the winter season to ensure the pond is not leaking, and remove any snow that accumulates on your pond's surface because the snow blocks sunshine from reaching the fish.

Spring

• Put the pump and filter back in your outdoor pond, and remove the de-icer. Take out any dead leaves and decomposed organic matter in the pond, and look to see if the pond's netting, which keeps debris from accumulating in the pond, is in adequate shape. Also, if you removed the fish from the pond during the colder seasons, first check the level of water in your pond before you put the fish back in it. If you kept your fish outside in the pond during the winter, add water gradually so that the temperature will not change too dramatically for the fish. Clean out some of the decaying plant material that accumulated on the pond's floor as well.

Summer

• Check the quality of your pond pump and filter each week and clean it out as necessary, especially if algae is a problem in your pond. Continue to add water to the pond throughout the summer as the sun causes the water to evaporate. In addition, use an aerator to add oxygen to the pond, as algae in the pond absorbs oxygen from the water during the night. Periodically remove excess growth of floating plants such as water lettuce and duckweed, and prune dying plant material every month as well. Consider also using an algaecide in your pond if necessary, following the label directions.

Fall

• Take out waterfalls and other similar features that can be ruined by freezing temperatures. In addition, keep leaves out of the pond and cut back dead vegetation. When cold temperatures arrive, take your fish indoors if you want. Also, to reduce background levels of harmful bacteria and fungi in your pond in the fall, put the chemical compound potassium permanganate in your outdoor pond, following the manufacturer's instructions.