Fall Pond Maintenance|Rochester New York|NY|Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls
When fall rolls around in our part of the world here in Rochester (NY) New York , the change of seasons is apparent by the beautiful, multi-colored leaves and the cool change in temperatures will remind us to start the fall pond maintenance. It may be your favorite time of year, but
how will the cooler temperature and falling leaves affect your aquatic paradise?
Can ponds and trees live together peacefully in the fall?
With a couple precautions and a little fall pond maintenance, they can!
how will the cooler temperature and falling leaves affect your aquatic paradise?
Can ponds and trees live together peacefully in the fall?
With a couple precautions and a little fall pond maintenance, they can!
Debris cleanup from the fall may be inevitable especially in Rochester NY, but you’ll need to pay special attention if you’re pond or pondless waterfall has heavy tree cover. A skimmer filter may not be able to keep up with catching all the leaves before they drop to the pond’s bottom and decompose.
Removing leaves and sticks with a net will make for an easier spring clean-out next year.
Debris left to rot in the pond will eventually decompose, producing gases that may be harmful to your fish.
Removing leaves and sticks with a net will make for an easier spring clean-out next year.
Debris left to rot in the pond will eventually decompose, producing gases that may be harmful to your fish.
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In this case, using a large pond net stretched over the pond can be helpful because it will catch the leaves before they even hit the water. Plus, you can use a leaf blower to clear the area, meaning less work for you
Regardless of whether you have a lot of trees or a minimal amount leaves falling, autumn is still a time when you’ll need to empty the debris net or bag of your pond skimmer more often than you were in the summer – usually on a daily basis.
It’s also a great time to tend to your plants. It’s sad to see them go, but you definitely don’t want their debris falling to the pond bottom.
Regardless of whether you have a lot of trees or a minimal amount leaves falling, autumn is still a time when you’ll need to empty the debris net or bag of your pond skimmer more often than you were in the summer – usually on a daily basis.
It’s also a great time to tend to your plants. It’s sad to see them go, but you definitely don’t want their debris falling to the pond bottom.
Here is a breakdown of how to care for each of your plants as the fall season unfolds.
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Hardy Marginals
As with terrestrial, perennial plants, dropping temperatures signal your hardy aquatic plants to prepare for their winter dormancy. At this time, you should stop fertilizing them as you see leaves begin to yellow and brown.
It’s ok to leave these plants where they are in your pond to weather the cold of winter, just be sure to trim the dying foliage of your marginal plants down to 2” above the water level.
As with terrestrial, perennial plants, dropping temperatures signal your hardy aquatic plants to prepare for their winter dormancy. At this time, you should stop fertilizing them as you see leaves begin to yellow and brown.
It’s ok to leave these plants where they are in your pond to weather the cold of winter, just be sure to trim the dying foliage of your marginal plants down to 2” above the water level.
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Tropical Marginals
In warm climates, tropical marginals will keep growing and will require fertilizer as usual. Water gardeners who live in Zones colder than 8 or 9 will need to treat these plants as they would any garden annual by replacing them each season.
A fun alternative to this is to treat them as tropical houseplants and bring them in for the winter. Most tropical marginals will do well potted in heavy garden soil in a sealed clay pot with no drainage holes. When kept wet, the plants do well in a sunny window or sunroom.
In warm climates, tropical marginals will keep growing and will require fertilizer as usual. Water gardeners who live in Zones colder than 8 or 9 will need to treat these plants as they would any garden annual by replacing them each season.
A fun alternative to this is to treat them as tropical houseplants and bring them in for the winter. Most tropical marginals will do well potted in heavy garden soil in a sealed clay pot with no drainage holes. When kept wet, the plants do well in a sunny window or sunroom.
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Waterlilies
Waterlilies will also begin to show their dislike for the cold with yellowing leaves and fewer flowers. When this happens, the leaf and flower stems of hardy water lilies should be cut back to about 2 to 3” above the base of the plant.
In warm climates, tropical waterlilies are happy in the pond year round, as long as the water temperature stays above 60°F. In areas where freezing is likely, plants should be overwintered indoors. This can be a difficult task; therefore many gardeners choose to simply buy a new plant each season.
Waterlilies will also begin to show their dislike for the cold with yellowing leaves and fewer flowers. When this happens, the leaf and flower stems of hardy water lilies should be cut back to about 2 to 3” above the base of the plant.
In warm climates, tropical waterlilies are happy in the pond year round, as long as the water temperature stays above 60°F. In areas where freezing is likely, plants should be overwintered indoors. This can be a difficult task; therefore many gardeners choose to simply buy a new plant each season.
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Lotus
As with the marginals in your pond, the foliage of your lotus plants will need to be trimmed back after they have died back and turned brown. It’s important not to cut the leaves while they are still green because the freshly cut, hollow stems are susceptible to disease which can spread to the plant’s tuber, possibly killing the plant.
Lotus tubers will not withstand freezing, so any plants that are growing in the shallow areas of your pond should be moved to the bottom, away from freezing water. Caring for your aquatic plants in the fall will mean less work and healthier plants come spring.
In late fall, when your leaves have stopped dropping, it is also time when your winter preparation should be starting. Properly winterizing a pond at this time of year will make it easier for your spring clean-out.
As with the marginals in your pond, the foliage of your lotus plants will need to be trimmed back after they have died back and turned brown. It’s important not to cut the leaves while they are still green because the freshly cut, hollow stems are susceptible to disease which can spread to the plant’s tuber, possibly killing the plant.
Lotus tubers will not withstand freezing, so any plants that are growing in the shallow areas of your pond should be moved to the bottom, away from freezing water. Caring for your aquatic plants in the fall will mean less work and healthier plants come spring.
In late fall, when your leaves have stopped dropping, it is also time when your winter preparation should be starting. Properly winterizing a pond at this time of year will make it easier for your spring clean-out.
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