Spring will hit the northeast soon and many of our customers are gearing up for the spring landscaping rush. A lot of our commercial customers also maintain their customer’s water gardens and ponds. Spring is a perfect time to start preparing those ponds for warmer weather. You can start your spring pond maintenance when the weather stays consistently above forty degrees. Spring pond maintenance can be quite easy, but it depends on the size of your pond. Smaller ponds such as water gardens will be easier to maintain than larger ponds on places like golf courses. No matter the size of the pond you are working on, read on to learn some tips on spring pond maintenance.
Tips on Spring Pond Maintenance
Step 1
Start by cleaning up your pond. Rake and dispose of leaves around the pond and if there are leaves that have fallen into the pond, use a net to clean them out. You should also try to clean out string algae and the best tool to do this is a pond vacuum. Taking care of the algae in the spring can prevent large algae blooms in the summer. Check the pond for other debris such as sticks and trash. If you find that there is a lot of waste in the pond, try putting a net over it when you winterize it.
Step 2
After giving your pond a good spring cleaning, it is time to check the pond’s equipment. Whether your pond has an electric or solar-powered filtration system, spring is an optimal time to make sure it is all working well. After determining that the equipment is working well, take the opportunity to clean it well. Use a brush to clean away debris and algae. Clean filtration equipment will be more effective in keeping the water clean. After checking the filtration equipment, it is a good idea to also check any other pumps, fountains, or aeration equipment to make sure it is in good working order after the long winter.
Step 3
After the cleaning and maintenance are complete, you’ll need to condition the pond. Treating the pond with a conditioner makes cleaning and maintenance easier throughout the summer. Many pond conditioners contain beneficial bacteria and enzymes that will reduce the muck and sludge that may grow when the water warms up in summer. Some pond conditioners also contain animal and plant-friendly dye that can enhance the blue/green color of the pond.