Garden pond care in autumn and winter

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Garden pond care in autumn and winter

Garden ponds don’t have to be hard work to maintain, and undertaking these three tasks in early autumn will ensure that your pond stays healthy, clear and attractive to wildlife.

Clear out autumn leaves

Clear your pond of fallen leaves to avoid problems later in the year. Leaf matter does rot down, but in large amounts, it can change the ecological balance of your water and negatively impact both aquatic plants and wildlife. Use a plastic rake to bring leaves to the edges and scoop out as many leaves as possible. If you can, do this weekly until the trees have shed all their leaves.

Cut back overhanging branches

Ponds needs sunlight to allow water plants to photosynthesise and create oxygen, which in turn benefits resident fish and other wildlife. As the days get shorter, less vital sunlight reaches your pond. Cut back overhanging tree branches and as much foliage as you can to ensure maximum exposure. If you have plants like water lilies, these may need pruning too, along with any tall specimens around the margin.

Protect your fish from predators

Colder weather often means hungrier, more determined predators, and fish can easily fall prey to herons and even owls. The best action you can take is to provide shelter for your fish. A submerged length of drainpipe creates the ideal hiding place, and a loose pile of stones at the bottom of the pond works well too. Decoy bird statues are helpful, but they need to be moved now and then to ensure they stay effective.

Finally, place a couple of Outback reclining chairs and blankets nearby, so you can continue to enjoy your pond throughout the autumn and winter months.

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