Winterizing a pond for winter is really no big deal, however there are a few things you should do to get your pond ready for the cold winter months.
One of the first things you should do before the snow starts flying is to be sure to get as many of the leaves and other debris out of your pond. Having these kinds of things in your pond will decay and cause gases in your pond once it freezes over, this is not good.
You shouldn’t feed your fish once the water temperature reaches 50 degrees. Your fish will naturally go to the bottom of your pond and basically just “chill out” for the winter. They get very still as if they’re in suspended animation.
Some people wonder if they should get some kind of de icer for their pond, well it’s not really necessary as long as you can keep a small hole in the top somehow to allow the gases to escape. My wife usually just pours a pot of boiling water next to the edge to create a hole. I would suggest that you not pound on the ice and freak your fish out, just create a small hole.
When winterizing a pond, you shouldn’t leave any pond pumps or filters going, just take them out and store them away till spring arrives.
Below is a picture of our pond as it is starting to freeze over. Yea, now is the time of year that it’s pretty plain looking.
Our backyard pond as it starts to freeze over.
A good thing to have for your pond during the winter is a small air stone which will help keep an opening in your pond. Other than that there really isn’t a whole lot you need to do for winterizing a pond. Spring will be here before you know it. Bob