Regular maintenance can prevent many problems before they occur. Follow these simples steps to extend the life of your fish and plants, and make taking care of your pond easy and fun.

Spring:
One thorough cleaning, after last frost. (see Spring Cleaning.)

• Divide, repot and fertilize all plants as necessary.
• Clean the pump and filter (one time, during cleaning.)
• Add bacteria after cleaning to re-seed the filter.
• Remove excess fish (Please give away to friends or the local pet store.)
• Begin feeding fish (if desired) when the pond temperature averages 45° F.

Summer:
Check pond weekly.

• Trim back dead plant matter and/or control plant overgrowth.
• Top off the pond as evaporation occurs.
• Fertilize plants again as necessary.
• Unclog pump and/or pump sock occasionally.
• Pull stringy algae from waterfall.

Fall:
One quick cleaning (see Fall Cleaning.):

• Remove most debris, do not rinse the filter.
• Cut back the plants as they turn brown.
• Stop feeding and fertilizing when the temperature drops to 45°F on average.
• Put netting over the pond while the leaves fall.

Winter:
Check these items as necessary (see Winterization):

1. Remove the netting when the leaves are done falling.
2. Install a pond de-icer to maintain gas exchange in the pond.
3. Turn off the waterfall if freezing occurs.