We've covered water temperatures, so what else should we do early spring prior to adding pond plants? We would like to mention a few things you should check when opening your pond for the season.
Check your pond to make sure there are no tears or leaks in your pond liner. Check around the edges of your pond to make certain the ground has not settled, and your pond is not leaking around the perimeter. Check out all your tubing, connections, pond pumps and filters to make sure they are all secure and working properly. If you have left your pump run throughout the winter make sure it is working properly. And for those who have turned off their pumps, you should check and clean them thoroughly. Turn your pump back on once the water temperatures are consistently above freezing which is around 40-45 degrees.
Remove any debris that has accumulated in your pond during the fall and winter. For those of you that have a pond vac, now is the best time to use those to rid your pond of small unwanted particles. You can begin putting MicrobeLift Spring and Summer in your pond to help with the cleanup. MicrobeLift Spring and Summer contains cold weather bacteria cultures that will work in the cooler water temperatures of spring. This will start establishing good bacteria and help accelerate the break down of debris. The spring rains help to flush your ponds, so if possible drain some of the water out of your pond and let the rain rinse and fill it up.
Once everything has been checked out you can begin thinking about feeding your fish, if you have them, and dividing some of the pond plants that have out grown their planting containers. We will discuss this in our next addition to Here Comes Spring.
A good safe product to use in your pond that cleans the pond, liner and rocks of algae etc. is Green Clean. Green Clean Aquatic Algaecide works by oxidation and provides immediate control of string algae in ponds, fountains and other water features. Within minutes you'll notice visible results. It is safe and effective and is non-toxic to fish, aquatic plants and is biodegradable. Green Clean works on contact to control algae (especially string algae) and is activated by water and safe for all animals once it is diluted in pond water. It releases vital oxygen into the water as it biodegrades. You want to keep the powder away from where birds or small animals can ingest it. Again once diluted it is safe. One pound (2 cups) of Green Clean treats about 4000 gallons. It immediately begins fighting algae blooms. Green Clean is safe for Koi and other pond fish and aquatic plants. It is designed for ponds, lakes and other large bodies of water as well as for unpainted surfaces, such as docks and walkways. Fast acting Green Clean biodegrades completely and adds 13% oxygen to the water. A 2 lb. container of Green Clean will treat a 1,000 gallon pond for an entire season. Results after application can be seen in 24 - 48 hours. Green Clean has been tested and registered with the EPA.
Buy Green Clean here.
