Winterizing your Water Garden!

It is the time to put your pond to sleep. Keep leaves and debris out of the water.  Do not empty pond water completely, as it can crack or warp the pre-formed pond liner.

Pumps and Electrical Equipment - Remove pumps when ice starts to form on edges of the pond. 

Fish - Stop feeding fish when water temperature drops to 50-55 degrees.  The pond must be at least 24" deep to winter over fish. The pond must not freeze over completely. Heater/De-Icer's are one way to keep water from freezing over solid.

Hardy Water Lilies - Water Lilies need at least 18" deep water to over winter successfully.  As the foliage yellow at the end of the season, remove the old leaves so they do not decompose in the pond.  Place them in the deepest part of your pond.

Perennial Marginals and Bog Plants - Perennial Marginals can be over wintered in water at least 18" deep.  After frost has killed the foliage, set plants in the deepest part of your pond. Do not cut back the stems of Cattails, Rushes, Reeds, or other plants with hollow stems, cut these plants back in the spring.

Floaters - Water Hyacinths and Water Lettuce should be treated as annuals, they are very difficult to over winter.  Remove them as soon as frost has hit them.
 

Deneweth's Garden Center 16125 22 Mile Rd., Macomb Michigan (MI) 48044 586-247-5533