Now that spring is finally here, it is a great time to set up your pond to enjoy for the spring and summer.  For those gardeners, who already have a pond, it is important to do some things before using your pond for the spring and summer to keep it running smoothly.  Here are some quick tips to follow when setting up your pond for the spring and summer:

1. The first step to take when opening up your pond is to make sure that your pond equipment is working properly and is in good working condition.  Inspect all of  your pond equipment and test it to make sure that it is running.  It is a good idea to clean all of the equipment and replace any filters.
2. If you are having problems with the wiring of the pond equipment, take precautions to make sure that you stay safe.  If you have a more complex problem, it is a good idea to hire an electrician to ensure your safety.
3. Once you have made sure that your pond equipment is working properly, fill in your pond with water and start arranging your edging material.  Make sure to hide your pond equipment behind rocks or plants to give your pond a more natural look.  Keep your pond looking fresh and interesting by changing the material or rearranging it every year.
4. After you have filled your pond with water and arranged the edging material, place plants around your pond to add more interest and use water plants to help oxygenate the water and make your pond more appealing.  There are a variety of floating plants that look beautiful and add interest to your pond.  Use a floating pond basket to help keep the plants contained.
5. Add fish to your pond.  If your fish have been living indoors or you don’t have fish, now is the time to add the fish to your pond.  Choose goldfish or koi to add more life to your pond.  You may want to start off with a few fish and then add more if you are successful.  The more fish you add to the pond, the more waste is created and a higher demand is placed on your pond filter.