Dear Pond Keeper,

            Another season is upon us and it’s time to get the water garden ready for spring.  April is the perfect month for getting the pond up and running and performing general maintenance.  Run pumps and filters as soon as the water warms and fish are actively swimming.  Begin feeding your fish in small quantities when water temperatures reach 45° F and gradually increase the amount of food as water temperatures warm.  Underwater oxygenating plants (Anacharis, Hornwort) may be added to the pond as early as mid-April.  These plants will help rid the water of excess nutrients eliminating unsightly “algae blooms”.  Do NOT drain your pond and scrub it squeaky clean if algae gets ahead of you this Spring.  Remember: Algae is a low-level plant life feeding on the excess nutrients available in the pond during the  Spring. As soon as your water plants begin to grow, the algae will diminish.  If algae becomes a real problem in your pond, ask us about using Barley Straw or beneficial bacteria (Microbe-lift, Ecofix and Pondzyme) which naturally “eat up” the excess nutrients feeding the algae.