Naturalized water gardens that may include a waterfall, stream and/or pond, add such an incredible creative touch to your landscaping. Working in harmony with nature they offer a sanctuary for your senses. Astonishingly, they require little maintenance. Periodic cleaning out the skimmer of leaves and adding beneficial bacteria is essentially the extent of regular care. It is important to maintain clear, clean water and to do this without the use of unsightly and costly filtration systems and chemicals. Water gardens should be naturally self-regulating ecosystems requiring significantly less maintenance than if the area were planted in grass. However, like most everything you need to prepare your special sanctuary for the winter.
The cool weather of autumn brings on noticeable changes in a water garden. As long as fish feed, they will continue to produce waste. Dying aquatic vegetation that is not removed from the pond adds to the organic load. The fact that aquatic plants are entering dormancy allows for increased nitrate availability. This means an increased growth of filamentous, string algae, that slimy stuff. No need to be alarmed. The ecosystem is still healthy. This is considered normal transition. Where the sunlight penetration is high on your water garden in shallow streams and pools, the algae will increase the most. This is to be expected. Cold doesn’t bother the algae.
You can gain some control over excessive amounts of algae by keeping leaves, dying vegetation and any other matter out of the pond. Remember that simple good housekeeping goes a long way.
Cut down all marginal plants to within an inch or so above water level once browned out. The exception being cattail, sweet flag, corkscrew rush, and even iris. These plants that if left in place, lend beauty and structure to the winter landscape of a water garden. Pinch off hardy lilies and other deep-water plants to one inch above the tip. If necessary, replace the soil and gravel here.
If you live in a climate where ponds freeze, move plants to deeper water. Place tender floating plants like water hyacinth in a three-inch tray filled with water and move them to a frost-free shed or greenhouse for the winter.
When temperatures drop fish spend most of their time hanging around on the bottom of the pond. Once water temps hit a consistent 55 degrees, stop feeding your fish altogether and discontinue bacteria treatments. Turning off the waterfall overnight when big drops in nighttime temperature happen before the winter starts is a good idea too. Anything greater than a five-degree temperature change on a daily basis is hard on fish. It is best to try to keep the pond water temperatures as stable as possible.
When the pond freezes, keep a small area ice-free to help fish survival by creating a spot for harmful gasses to escape. Finally, turn off the filters, clean them and store them inside for the winter. When spring comes, your water feature will be ready again to start being a special added pleasure to your landscape.
