Prep ponds for winter

Deal with fish, freezes and dormant plants, says Ruth

- Ruth

1 Reduce feeding your fish as they get sluggish and eat less when temperatures drop. Any uneaten food will pollute the water.

Deter herons with netting or a decoy plastic bird.

2 Cut back plants so dead and dying material doesn’t rot in the water. Marginals should be cut back to just above the water level; if cut below they will waterlog and die.

3 Melt ice with a pan of hot water or float a ball in the pond to stop it freezing in the first place. Never try to break ice as it can shock fish to death.

4 Kep your pump going to move the water, help prevent ice and boost oxygen levels. Oxygenating plants (Hornwort, etc.) help keep water fresh.

Water features