Prepare Your Pond for Winter: Complete Guide for Fish and Plant Safety

A pond is a valuable addition in any garden, both as an attractive focal point and a magnet for wildlife. Just like any garden area, occasional pond maintenance is necessary to keep it in good condition and looking stunning. Winter is almost here, and it's time to start thinking about winter pond care for the winter months. This is significant for gardeners living in cold northern climates where freezing temperatures and frozen ponds are common. Winter can be a tough time for pond fish and wildlife. Make sure you help them get through the winter months, from installing a pond heater to cleaning the pond.

In this guide, we share pond winterization tips to help you fully prepare your pond for winter and ensure your fish are healthy and ready to greet you again in spring.

Why You Need to Winterize Your Pond

Ponds need to be prepared for the cold season. If not, your pond may freeze over, leading to fish death, algae accumulation, and damaged plants. Cleaning the pond before winter, maintaining pond equipment, and protecting pond fish reduce the chances of this happening and ensure that your pond remains healthy until warmer months.

Before starting pond winterization, you must check that all pond equipment is working properly, such as filters, pumps, and pipes. If anything is broken or damaged, replace or repair it before winter sets in.

Prepare Your Pond for Cold Season

1. Lower the Water Level

It rains more in fall and winter, but with cooler temperatures, your pond water evaporates less. You'll need to clean filters less often and change your water less frequently. As a result, your pond may overfill due to excess rainwater.

If your filter has a backwash feature, use it to pump some water out of the pond. Before winter, remove enough water to bring the pond's water line back to about 4 inches from the top. This would be enough to prevent overflow but keep checking the pond weekly.

2. Remove Leaves and Debris Before Winter

A buildup of leaves, twigs, and other debris looks unsightly on your pond's surface, and it also sinks, sticking to the pond pump cage. Therefore, it is recommended to use a fish netting or pond skimmer net to remove any fallen leaves daily.

Remove all the debris from the pond's surface. Decomposing organic matter can release toxic gases leading to poor water quality. Also, trim aquatic plants and remove any dead leaves. This helps to avoid the accumulation of algae in the pond. If you leave this debris at the bottom of the pond, it will decay during the winter, and you'll have a bigger mess to deal with in the spring.

Read More: How to Get Rid of Algae in a Pond

3. Install a Pond Netting

A pond net will prevent berries, leaves, and twigs from falling into the water. They also protect your fish from predation, because Herons become hungry in cold weather and search for an easy meal.

Putting a pond cover net over your water feature before leaves begin to fall from trees is the simplest way to manage leaf control. Once all the leaves have fallen in autumn, you can roll up the net, dump the leaves, and put the net away until next time.

If you did not install pond netting, your pond will likely have a buildup of leaves and debris that needs to be cleared. A long-handled pond net simplifies removing debris from the bottom of the pond.

4. Change Fish Diet

A well-balanced diet produces healthy, happy fish. You must ensure your fish are in good health before they go into hibernation over the winter. Pond fish can't digest high protein levels in lower temperatures, so you should change their diet from a spring/summer one to a fall/winter one.

Moreover, you should also limit the amount of food you feed your fish, because they'll be less active during the winter and need less food. When the water temperatures drop below 4 °C, stop feeding your fish altogether.

5. Clean Filters, Media, and Pump

Before winter comes in, thoroughly clean your pond filters and media. Start by removing the filter media from the filter box and washing it with fresh water. This will remove any debris or buildup. Never clean your pond filter with tap water, as it kills beneficial bacteria. Instead, rinse the filter media in a bucket of pond water to remove organic waste.

Read More: How to Clean a Pond

6. Add Pond Heater

There are several ways to prevent ice from forming on your pond and keep your fish safe. The best option is to invest in a pond heater, as they are more energy efficient. Pond heaters, which consist of a heating element and thermostat, should be installed in-line in a pond filtration system. You can set the desired temperature, and the heater will maintain it year-round, especially in winter.

Additionally, heated winter pond water can help your fish stay active, improve their ability to resist diseases, and boost their immune system. It can also help your fish grow during long periods of chilly water.

7. Monitor Your Pond

The last yet important tip is to keep an eye on your pond throughout the winter season to ensure everything is going smoothly and check the water quality regularly. If temperatures in your area fall below freezing, use a reliable pond thermometer to check the exact water temperature.

A pond thermometer will quickly tell you the water temperature, which is often different from the surrounding air temperature. This way, you can make changes before it's too late.

What if You Leave Your Pond Running in Winter

Running your pond during the winter will create beautiful ice formations for you to enjoy the view throughout the frosty season. However, some care will be required this time of year, such as topping off the pond due to evaporation. You will also need to make sure that ice formations don't form dams that result in unnecessary water loss.

During severe cold spells, the surface of your pond may completely freeze over. So, maintain a hole in the ice with an aerator or in-pond pump. You might also need to use a pond de-icer in extreme cold weather, but usually an aerator will be sufficient.

What if You Want to Shut Down Your Pond

Many homeowners in northern regions choose to shut down their ponds for the winter. If you also decide on this option, take these important steps to protect it from the cold.

• Remove the pump and filter systems from the pond and store them in a warm place like a garage or basement. Proper protection from the cold extends your pump's lifespan.
• Drain the water from your pond and plumbing system. If you have pond fish, transfer them to an indoor tank. Draining prevents standing water from freezing and expanding, which can damage the pipes that connect your filtration system.
• Cover the pond with a netting or sheet to keep debris and fallen leaves out.
• Disconnect all electrical connections, and the pipes should be securely capped off.
• If you have any live aquatic plants, transfer them to a container and keep them indoors.
• Add a layer of antifreeze to the pond's bottom and fill with a few inches of water.

The Bottom Line

If you take a little time to prepare your garden pond for the upcoming winter months, it will help your beloved fish survive the winter slumber and make your spring maintenance easier. Given the many benefits your pond provides to you and the wildlife that frequent your yard, it is important to prepare it appropriately for winter by following proper maintenance and protection procedures. These pond winterization tips will allow you to enjoy your pond throughout the colder months and position you for a healthy, vibrant pond come spring.