Content
- Spring at the garden pond
- The big cleaning up after the winter
- Dealing with fish
- First care measures
- Technical check and commissioning
- The big "reforestation"
- Cut back and split
- New planting
- What should it be?
- A classic among the pond plants: the water lily
- Not only for natural ponds: the cattail
More than just an eye-catcher: the garden pond is also a habitat for many animals and plants.
Spring at the garden pond
A well-kept pond is not only a visual ornament for the garden, but also a real asset to the flora and fauna. Over the winter months, however, pond owners do not have much more to do than to hope for the effectiveness of the protective measures taken.
The big cleaning up after the winter
Now, when the spring awakening is no longer just a faint foreboding, but really makes itself felt in nature, is again a lot more work - because the garden pond and planting requires proper care in order to unfold its splendor.
Dealing with fish
Even if the anticipation of the work around the pond is so great, a little patience is required despite all the enthusiasm. As long as the water temperature is not permanently above at least 10 degrees Celsius (better are constant 12 degrees Celsius), it remains to be seen. Those who get back into operation too soon and start cleaning or even switching on the pond pumps may risk damaging the pond inhabitants: The movement of the pond water, which is still cold, would merely cause mixing of the different temperature layers. As a result, the water cools down even more, which in turn can disturb the fish sensitive. After the hardships of winter they only have to get used to the warmer time of year, but just slowly.
The situation is similar with the feeding. If the water temperature is too low, the metabolism of the fish is reduced so much that the ingested food is not digested at all. As a result, the fish die. Therefore, even with constant double-digit plus degrees first easily digestible feed is announced so as not to overstrain the metabolism.
First care measures
The care of the pond begins in the spring with what it has stopped in the fall. After checking the border - which might well have suffered in the course of winter with heavy ice formation - is therefore the first to remove the autumnal remnants. With a landing net are therefore to remove first dead plant parts and leaves. This is not primarily the beautification, but the prevention.
Otherwise, the large proportion of plant nutrients threatens strong algae growth as soon as the temperatures rise permanently. This has a negative effect on the quality of water and oxygen, which affects the entire pond landscape. It may also be necessary to use a mud vacuum cleaner to clear the pond bottom of sunken autumn leaves.
During this work, the fish can be safely left in the pond. However, if there are more extensive design measures, a temporary relocation may make sense. This may be less stressful than having to attend planting or remodeling. The move can also be made a little more bearable by the backup pools are also filled with pond water. In this way, the conversion for the fish is less large.
Technical check and commissioning
Apart from the regular check of the water quality (this mainly concerns the pH-value and the nitrite-nitrate content), the next step is the commissioning of technical helpers. Pond pumps and filters should be thoroughly checked for cleanliness and functionality. Only then can they be re-installed in the pond. Especially pond pumps contribute in time to water circulation and thus to an enrichment of the water with oxygen.
Once re-commissioned filter systems should run around the clock, moreover. Otherwise the microorganisms that settle in the filter and clean the water will die.
The big "reforestation"
Of course, no pond is complete without appropriate planting. It is not only a decoration, but also contributes to the preservation of the entire biotope. Proper care is all the more important because of this dual function.
Cut back and split
The danger of algae growth can also be counteracted by the care of pond plants. Overgrown plants and dead plant parts should therefore be cut off and removed. At the same time, it provides a good basis for the growth of aquatic plants and creates space for weaker plants.
Of course, the sharing of the roots is much easier if plant baskets were used already when the garden pond was created. They are relatively easy to get out of the water and it only needs a targeted ground-breaking ceremony to divide the root area. In plants that are firmly rooted in the earth in a natural pond, for example, the company is much more complex. In such cases, there are two approaches: Either water is drained from the pond until the plants are easily accessible or the whole thing is tackled with the bare legwear, which does not require dewatering.
New planting
In May and June can be started with the introduction of the new pond plants, but even at later dates that is still possible. Underwater plants, for example, continue to grow throughout the winter and only really take damage after prolonged icing. However, not all plant species can be obtained at the same time or consistently - and even if specimens driven into the hot water tank are sometimes available as early as February, this does not say anything about the fitness under the much less favorable external conditions at that time.
In addition, the latest date for planting always depends on the period of time the plant needs to prepare for hibernation. However, the weather also plays a not insignificant role, but from September it is until the new season once over with new plants. Anyone who does not want to buy any new business, but still needs despite the split stock, may be able to bargain with other pond owners.
What should it be?
There is an abundance of pond and aquatic plants, but this should by no means lead to a selection procedure based on optical criteria. Look is certainly not everything, because the function for the pond is often much more important. In addition, of course, the conditions of the pond are taken into account: Steep slopes and pebble shores, for example, are not suitable for all types. Some, such as the water hyacinths, need high enough temperatures and a pond with direct sunlight to really thrive.
A classic among the pond plants: the water lily
Although they are generally widespread - not least because of the beautiful flowers that are now available in a variety of colors - water lilies have certain demands on their environment. Like the water hyacinths they need a minimum amount of heat and sunlight, five hours a day it should be. In addition, the pond depth is not insignificant, because the different water lily species are better or worse suitable for different water depths.
In addition, planting in baskets is recommended, because sometimes the water lilies tend to grow vigorously. With baskets that can be better curb and better control the overall impression of the pond. When putting it in the pond, rocking helps to prevent the baskets from swimming away. In this way, for example, it can be prevented that the plants slip off in too deep a range - that can in the worst case lead to dying. In return, however, planting too little depth can have a negative impact on growth.
Not only for natural ponds: the cattail
In the wild, they are found almost everywhere and due to the diversity of species also suitable for a variety of garden ponds. Cattails are attractive on the one hand because of the typical appearance and because they are comparatively easy to clean. The effort can be reduced even further if plant baskets are used right from the start. This dampens the otherwise quite pronounced growth, which could quickly displace the other existing plant species.
Two factors play a role in height expansion: on the one hand, some species are much larger than others, on the other hand, this can be somewhat regulated by the depth of the water. If cattails of two meters in height are too much, you can still grab the variety Typha minima. The rich 15 centimeters of water already deep, correspondingly smaller, it is in turn in the growth. A sunny to partially shaded location helps all species, an additional fertilization, however, is not necessary. The broad-leaved cattail Typha latifolia is in addition to its optical stimuli for the pond landscape also popular as a medicinal plant: Both leaves, flowers and roots can be used for medical purposes, the effect ranges from hemostatic to diuretic to general fortifying.
In addition, there are many options for underwater plants or marsh plants for the riparian zone. If the plants are newly planted, the marsh forget-me-nots or common lady's mantle after the main flower make sure that the "construction work" can no longer be recognized within a short time. At the latest in the summer the garden pond presents itself then in full splendor.