Clear & Pure Throughout Autumn & Winter
Autumn is the time to get ready for colder days. From harvesting to gardening, there’s plenty to do.
We are delighted to be able to offer all kinds of helpful systems for pond maintenance around your home and garden, ensuring that your pond’s surface will continue to gleam with a crystal-clear reflection.
A crystal-clear water surface
As autumn approaches, trees and shrubs will start to lose their leaves. When these fall into a pond, they can create a colourful surface on the water.
However, beautiful as they are on the surface, these leaves gradually sink to the bottom of the pond and form a layer of sludge.
With the right equipment, it’s easy to prevent this from happening: Pond skimmers remove leaves and small twigs from the surface of the water before they submerge.
We would recommend the addition of Sludge Remover which will aid in the natural digestion of sludge at the bottom of the pond. If added regularly throughout the season, it helps prevent any buildup of sludge leading into winter.
Treat your pond plants to an autumn trim
While your flowers and grass around the pond are enjoying the last of the summer sun and cooler temperatures are on the way,
it’s the ideal time to treat your pond plants to a trim ahead of the autumn and winter.
Brown stems and dead plant remains can be trimmed without getting your feet wet by using pond scissors.
The debris can then be collected using a grabber or a dipping net.
A detox for the bottom of your pond
A detox for the bottom of your pond
Below the surface of the water, the lively activity of the pond inhabitants begin to slow down.
As the seasons change, they will start to look for deeper and warmer areas close to the bottom of the pond.
We recommend thoroughly cleaning the bottom of the pond of mud and plant remains in advance of this.
A pond and pool vacuum cleaner makes this easy.
Keep your fish aerated
Winter is a fascinating time of year. A blanket of snow covers the garden and the frozen pond surface glistens in the winter sun.
However, when the water below is fully sealed off by a layer of ice, this prevents the oxygen exchange from occurring that pond organisms require.
By taking small precautions, even before winter sets in, fish and amphibians can enjoy the peaceful stillness of the season without any issues.
Feeding during Winter
Fish enter a period of resting called torpor when temperatures fall.
This lowers the fish’s metabolism, meaning they use very little energy in their bodies.
It is not only a case of reducing the amount of food offered during the winter – the ingredients inside the food need to be considered too.
Pond fish will still be feeding between 8-10°C. It is important to feed the right foods for optimum conditioning before they enter their rest period.
During this time (usually around October) it’s recommended to introduce wheatgerm foods.
Wheatgerm foods are easier to digest and are lower in protein, usually 20-21%, compared with conventional fish feed which can be anywhere up to 50% protein.
This is the ideal protein to fat ratio during winter months when the fish need less protein in their diet.
Garlic has also been found to repel parasites which don’t seem to like the taste! Garlic is also a natural appetite stimulant which should encourage your fish to feed.
See our selection of Pond Foods available in store and online!
