| Backyard ponds are a joy to have in your yard | | | | to make a hole. The hole allows methane to |
| or garden. A pond brings the water element into | | | | escape from the pond, preventing a dangerous |
| an outdoor design as a focal point, or just as a | | | | buildup in the water that can be lethal to fish. |
| small part of the overall design. Here are some | | | | Netting a Pond |
| tips and information on ponds and how to care | | | | To cover a small pond, you can make a wooden |
| for them. | | | | frame and nail stiff plastic or wire netting to it. For |
| Once a pond has been made and filled with water, | | | | medium to large ponds, sink a series of bamboo |
| leave it to settle for a week before you add any | | | | canes into the ground around the pond. Put |
| plants. Aquatic retail centers will be able to advise | | | | upturned pots over the top of the canes and |
| you on what and how many plants you need for | | | | drape loose netting over the top. The weight of |
| the size of pond, but it is usual to include some | | | | fallen leaves, especially when we, will cause the |
| oxygenating and floating plants, together with | | | | netting to sag, so pull it fairly taut. The edges |
| some marginal plants in planting baskets. Give the | | | | should touch the ground and be secured with |
| plants several weeks to start establishing | | | | bricks. Remove the leaves regularly, or the whole |
| themselves before you introduce any fish. It can | | | | structure could collapse. Remove the netting in |
| take several years for a pond to settle down | | | | early spring, check the net for holes and repair, if |
| fully. | | | | necessary, then store until the following year. |
| Caring for an established pond is mostly a case of | | | | Pond Cleaning |
| cutting back and removing faded or dying foliage | | | | Use a pump or siphon to remove as much water |
| promptly, and netting the pond in early fall to | | | | as you need to in order to stand in the pond |
| keep falling leaves out, In spring and summer, | | | | safely. Take out the pond pump, if used, then |
| keep a eye out for green water. If you have fish | | | | catch any fish and transfer them to a holding |
| in the pond or it includes any extra features, such | | | | tank of pond water. Remove any stones from |
| as fountains and lights, they will need to be cared | | | | the bottom of your waders before getting into |
| for as well. | | | | the pond, and tread carefully so as not to |
| As long as you keep debris out of the pond, a | | | | damage the liner. Then, take out any excess |
| full-scale cleanup is needed only once every few | | | | invasive floating plants. Us a plastic bucket to |
| years. Late spring is a good time to clean out a | | | | scoop up silt and place it on soil borders, Clean the |
| pond and to plant or report water plants in | | | | sides of the pond with a hose and brush, or with |
| baskets. In winter, float a plastic ball on the pond | | | | a pressure sprayer. Repair the pond if necessary. |
| to prevent it from freezing. If a pond freezes | | | | Refill the pond halfway. Replace the plants, pump, |
| over, gently pour boiling water over the surface | | | | and fish. Then finish refilling the pond. |