Summer pond maintenance tips

If you have a pond in your yard, now is the time to start thinking about how to care for it this summer. The following is a brief checklist of the things you'll want to make sure are in order so you can enjoy your pond all summer long.

1. Fertilize any plants in your pond. As a rule of thumb, lilies and lotus should be fertilized every 3-4 weeks, and marginals every 5-7 weeks.
2. Remove dead foliage from your pond. When the plant leaves turn yellow and brown with age, this is the best time to cut them off. Doing so reduces debris buildup in your pond and provides more room for new growth. Besides, this clean up helps improve the overall appearance of your pond.
3. Feed your fish well but be careful not to over-feed. Feed no more than the fish will eat in 5 minutes. Feed 1-3 times per day.
4. Clean your pond's filter as needed, making sure not to over-clean. You do not want to strip your pond of the excellent biome that's been created.
5. Maximize your aeration. Generally speaking, warm water holds less oxygen, yet the fish use more oxygen in warm water, thereby creating a huge necessity for added aeration by using an air pump or an additional pump. Make sure you have this running continuously, so your fish remain healthy. 

Enjoy!

Graham Landscape & Design has been designing and installing ponds in landscapes throughout the Willamette Valley since 2010. Give us a call today at 541-729-8029 if you're interested in a pond or other water feature for your yard.