Autumn/Fall and Winter Seasonal Pond Care

Introduction | Autumn and Winter Care

Ponds are for Fun

    My first winter with my pond was a learning experience.  I was not about to spend a lot of money for a water heater.  I decided instead to leave the pond fountain on all winter to keep a layer of ice from forming over my Pennsylvania pond.  I had read that if a pond freezes over for as little as 48 hours, all of the fish may die from the accumulation of poisonous gases.

    Winter was cold that year and the water from the fountain was slowly freezing into a dome.  I turned off the fountain for fear of the pump breaking if it froze solid while running.  About eight weeks went by as my fish were entombed beneath six inches of ice.  Although I didn't want to have to let the fish die, I knew I could replace them with six new fish at ten cents a piece.

    The spring thaw finally came late that year.  One day as I wandered over to the pond, I was surprised to see six healthy goldfish swimming around in the cold water.  The moral of the story is that ponds are supposed to be for fun and enjoyment as well as providing a nice habitat for wildlife wherever you live.  There is no need to spend a lot of money on your pond.  Sometimes the best maintenance is just sitting back and letting nature take its course.

Next >>>

Introduction | Autumn and Winter Care