Caring for Your New Water Garden cont.
Algae Control
There are two basic types of algae that can occur in most garden ponds. Single cell, free-floating
algae is the most common cause of green water in water gardens. Your water garden
may go through a "green pea soup" phase before your pond plants become well established. This is
normal, harmless to fish and plants and will clear up as your pond plants grow and absorb the
nutrients the algae needs to survive. Do not drain your water garden and put in fresh water, it will
just repeat the same green water phase until a balance is reached! Once balanced your pond should remain clear enough
to see near the bottom of the water garden at least 10-11 months of the year.
To speed clearing of the water add more competition for the algae (more submerged or floating plants), reduce the
number or quantity of pond fish (fish waste is a natural fertilizer for algae) and remove any plant
and leaf debris that has collected in the water garden. Limiting fish feeding to once or twice a week
(if at all) will also help since the fish will forage more thoroughly for other food sources that may otherwise add
to the debris in your pond. Make sure any food that is not eaten in 10 minutes is removed. Weekly applications of
beneficial bacteria such as Super-Bugs or Green-be-Gone can be very effective. We do not recommend the use of any
commercial algaecides since they are often detrimental to the eco-balance of your pond. Remember the two most common
causes of green water in any garden pond are: #1) too many fish being fed too often; #2) lack of
leaf control in the fall! See the article "10 Steps to Clear Water" for more details.
The second type of algae you may see is commonly called string algae and grows along the side of the pond, usually
attached to rocks, pots, or the liner itself. The thin green layer you will see form on rocks and the sides of your
water garden below water is normal, desirable and a sign of a healthy pond. If string algae becomes
excessive, stop feeding your pond fish and follow the other steps outlined above. It can also be
manually removed with a small leaf rake etc., or the addition of some snails such as Trapdoor or
Black Ramshorn may be helpful. String algae is most prevalent in the spring and fall during cool weather but
normally subsides in the summer. (If string algae continues to be a problem, there are a couple of relatively
new products on the market that can help without the risk of hurting your fish or plants. Stop by or give us a call
for details.)
Finally, keep in mind that algae is a people problem- the pond fish don't care! After all, how many
garden ponds do you see in Ohio with crystal clear water? We're just trying to tweak mother nature
just a little so we can see all the beautiful residents of our little piece of watery paradise!
Winter Care
Most hardy pond plants can be trimmed to about 3-6" after November 1st and placed in the deep section
of the water garden. Aquatic grasses, reeds, cattails, rushes and similar grass-like plants should be
only trimmed back to about 18" and placed in shallow water so that their stems rise above the surface of the water.
These plants "breathe" through their stems in the winter. Water iris should not be moved to deep water since they can
suffocate in water more than a few inches above the pot. (Ask for our handout, "Seasonal Care of Water Plants"
for more detailed information about specific varieties.)
There are several options for "winterizing" your pond fish. As mentioned earlier all feeding of the
fish should stop after the water temp falls below 43-50 degrees- usually about late October. Your fish do require
having access to fresh air during long periods of frozen ice in the winter. One way to accomplish this is simply to
do nothing!. Just let your waterfall continue to run as it has all season and the moving water will not freeze and
provide the needed air exchange. Even in severe cold, ice will form over the moving water, but the flow will not stop.
The main concern would be a temporary power outage that might allow water to freeze in the line blocking the water
flow even when power resumes. For this reason, if you expect to be away from your water garden for
extended periods over the winter we would suggest one of the following alternative methods.
Caring for Your New Water Garden cont.
[4]
| 
