I love Labor day, but when Labor day arrives, I realize that the “closing of my pond” is just around the corner.

Or more accurately .. just around the Indian Summer. (We normally get an Indian summer here in Michigan)

Labor Day has come and gone.

Special autumn pond care is necessary when the plants and fish begin going dormant in cooler weather. When temperatures start dropping ponds require that we slow down or stop many things we did daily or weekly during the hot summer months.

• When the average water temperature is below 50°F, or before the first freeze, place hardy pond plants deeper in your pond and bring subtropical and tropical plants indoors. These subtropical and tropical plants will need heated water (at least 70°F) to get through the winter successfully. Do not fertilize these plants during the winter.
• Falling leaves from nearby trees and bushes, as well as leaves from your pond plants, can quickly build up on the bottom of your pond. Decaying vegetation can increase levels of dissolved organic compounds (DOCs) and rob water of oxygen. Lower levels of oxygen can stress your fish. Remember, your fish are already struggling to deal with fall temperature swings. During late summer and early fall it is important to remove as much material from the bottom of your pond as possible.
• First, prune your marginal pond plants, and remove floating plants before they decay. Next, Skim, Vacuum and use a pond net to remove the rest.
• Drape a pond net over your pond to prevent the majority of leaves and twigs from getting into the water in the first place. Your pruning, skimming, and dip net or vacuuming efforts will take care of the rest.

Happy Ponding and we’ll be back with more fall maintenance tips this weekend!

• It is natural, nontoxic and non-caustic. (The definition of caustic is: Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing.) By definition, non-caustic is good for your pond.
• It is harmless to humans, animals, fish, and plants.
• It helps to jump-start your pond to a healthier environment in the spring.
• It reduces the buildup of dead leaves and residual organic sediment.
• It is easy-to-handle and we offer pre-measured packets.

Basic Application Rates
Size of pond in gallons

81 – 200 Gallon Ponds
1st Week 1 bag
2nd Week 1 bag
3rd Week 1 bag
4th Week 1 bag

501 – 1,000 Gallon Ponds
1st Week 2 bags
2nd Week 1 bag
3rd Week 2 bags
4th Week 1 bag

1,001 – 5,000 Gallon Ponds
1st Week 2 bags
2nd Week 2 bags
3rd Week 2 bags
4th Week 2 bags

*To calculate number of gallons in the pond, multiply Length (in feet) x Width (in feet) x Depth x 7.5.

Microbe-Lift Spring/Summer Cleaner is a Natural Pond & Lagoon Cleaner specifically designed as a seasonal approach to the proper organic balance in ponds.

Bioaugmentation is the process of using calculated amounts of correct bacteria to biodegrade the various elements in pond water that create poor water quality problems. All bio-augmentation products work best in well aerated ponds – so make sure that before you treat your pond, that it is well aerated. Topic for our next article!!

Happy Easter!