During the winter fish and plants require different care to be kept in top condition.
When the winter months approach, every pond owner should be conscious of several straightforward things to do in order to prepare their ponds for the colder months.
Feeding your fish during the winter
When the water temperature falls below 50 degrees, or whenever the fish start to lose interest in food, feeding should be eliminated. Goldfish and Koi do not need to eat during the winter. It can actually be detrimental to feed them.
Fish depend on enzymes and bacteria to aid in the digestion of food. These enzymes and bacteria thrive in warmer months, but start to diminish drastically when the water temperatures fall. Without these “digestive aids”, undigested foods can lead to blockages and they can even promote bacterial infections.
Wheat Germ foods are formulated for easy digestion, yet they too should be discontinued when the water temperatures fall below 50 degrees.
It’s a Gas-Gas-Gas
A very important component in keeping the fish healthy over the winter is to provide adequate gas exchange in the pond. Since all ponds contain some form of debris like leaves and plants, not to mention fish wastes, these items start to decay and can cause a build up of toxic gases in your pond. Adequate ventilation is essential to help release these silent – but deadly killers.
In with the good, out with the bad
Adequate ventilation also means allowing a way for vital oxygen to enter the water for the fish. This can be done simply by preventing the surface of the water from freezing over completely. Two methods that can be employed are a pond deicer and/or an air pump to provide adequate oxygen.
Plant yourself right
Some plants do not winter well and must be thrown out. These include any of the floating plants like water hyacinths, water lettuce, floating fern, and any other non-potted floating plants.
Most potted plants do well over the winter, provided they are properly prepared. When winter approaches take the time to trim the plants down as much as possible. As a good guide trim any part of the plant that grows up above the rim of the pot. This part of the plant will only die and decay in the pond in the winter, so it is best just to cut it off. The roots, which are well insulated in the dirt, should survive the winter just fine if kept below the frost level of the pond. To further insure their survival the roots should not be exposed to extreme cold conditions, they will die and have to be replaced, so they should be at least 18-inches below the surface of the water.
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