Q: Should I turn off the power to the pond before the temperature drops to the 20’s or lower?

A: Dear Francine,

There is no need to shut the pump off. The pond will be fine even at lower temperatures because moving water doesn’t freeze! You can extend your water garden season several months longer by continuing to run the pump. Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons for water gardening! Ice formations along edges and snow falling softly into the pond bring such peacefulness.

If you decide to run your pond a bit longer or through the winter, there are a few extra maintenance items you will need to do.

Late Fall & Early Winter Pond Care Maintenance:

1. Watch the water level because evaporation is greater. With cooler nights, warmish days, and warm ground temps, evaporation increases dramatically. Generally, auto-fill valves have been turned off when irrigation is turned off so you will need to check the water levels in your backyard pond manually. It could help to set a weekly alarm on your phone to remind you to check the water level.
2. Trim back plants or store them for next spring.
3. Add a heater if you plan to keep the pond running the entire winter. Make sure the cords are weather resistant and plugged into a GFCI approved power source.
4. Arrange for a “babysitter” to check the pond while you go on vacation during the winter.

Ponds with Fish- extra care notes:

1. Fish don’t need food! If your koi or goldfish are still in the pond, don’t feed them! Their digestive systems slow down in preparation for winter and food consumed just rots in their stomach.
2. Add a “return de-icer” pipe. This reroutes the water from the pump back into the pond, bypassing the underground tubing that typically pours water into a biofalls or waterfall. Circulation still occurs but reduces the “splash” and icing problems that can happen if your waterfall area is left on. You don’t need to add a de-icer if your backyard pond does not have fish.
3. Add an aerator and/or heater if you plan to keep the pond running the entire winter. Make sure the cords are weather resistant and plugged into a GFCI approved power source.
4. Occasionally, the ice may need to have a hole chopped in it if the fish stay outside all winter. (This happened in or 2 ft deep pond when the outside temperature in Minneapolis, MN was -20F a few years ago.)

You will notice an uptick in maintenance as the ground temperature dips lower than freezing. To reduce maintenance, we usually shut our pond off just before January 1.

If you have further maintenance questions, please email us at info@mnponds-com

Nov, 2024 by B.C.