05/23/2026
Let’s talk about…pond maintenance.
Spring pond maintenance is necessary to have a healthy pond and although it involves some effort, the results are worth it. Pond water often turns green with “single cell” algae in the spring as the water temperature rises and that usually goes away once you get plant coverage (60% - 80%) on the surface of your pond, but skipping out on a good spring clean can lead to more serious water quality problems that can negatively impact your pond. To help control a potential algae bloom and avoid getting string algae it’s good to clean early in the spring…ideally while the water is below 13° C to avoid disrupting the ecosystem in your pond. Key steps include removing sludge, cleaning pumps and filters, trimming plants, and introducing beneficial bacteria to prevent algae blooms.
* Remove Debris: Use a pond net to remove leaves and twigs before they decay and create sludge. It’s a good idea to have a big bucket of your pond water nearby to save any tadpoles, snails or fish you accidentally scoop up while cleaning, then place them back in the pond when you are done.
* Clean/Replace Filters: Clean the pump and filter media, and replace UV bulbs if necessary, as they are likely worn out from winter.
* Handle Algae: Remove excess string algae manually or with treatments like barley extract, barley pellets or Pond Balance.
* Manage Water Quality: Add cold-water beneficial bacteria to start breaking down waste. Use a water treatment to remove toxins like chlorine if you top off the pond.
* Check for Leaks: Inspect the liner for damage, as spring is the ideal time to fix leaks.
* Plant Maintenance: Trim dead foliage from aquatic plants and divide or repot overgrown ones before placing them
* Start adding beneficial bacteria treatments regularly throughout the season. It competes with the algae for available nutrients, starving the algae of its food source. Choose Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria for early spring and then switch to regular Beneficial Bacteria during summer after the pond water temperature stays at 50 degrees or warmer. To make things really easy, choose an Automatic Dosing System to do the work for you!
* Add plants to control algae. Since plants directly compete with algae for nutrients, they are a critical addition to the pond. The sooner you can get them planted, the better (providing the threat of frost is gone). Using a wide variety of plants will not only add to the natural look of the pond, but will reduce algae growth as well. Add waterlilies, marginal plants, and floaters such as water lettuce or water hyacinth.
* DO NOT overfeed your fish. Fish food that is not eaten will add more nutrients to the pond, helping feed the algae. Not to mention, the more your fish eat, the more they p**p and that adds nutrients to the pond, as well.
Hope these tips help and as always, if you have any questions about your pond don’t hesitate to call or visit us, we are here to help!
