How to Maintain a Natural Pond

A natural pond can be extremely beautiful, but it can also be a huge mess if not taken care of. Proper maintenance of a natural pond is essential for the beauty and health of the pond, the plants and fish living in the pond. Maintaining a pond is easy if it is done on a regular basis. The task can seem overwhelming if it is your first time, but if you schedule regular cleanings the pond will soon be healthy and beautiful. This project is very messy, so be prepared to get dirty; this project will also take several hours to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Pond rake
• Old clothes
• Rubber gloves
• Wading boots
• Trash bags
• Pond conditioner
• PH test
• Limestone chips
• Calcium carbonate
• Shovel
• Hedge clippers
• Long rope

Instructions

1. Examine the pond to note any problems. Test the water for pH balance. The best pH for a pond is between 7.5 and 8. Fish thrive best at this level and most plants like a slightly alkaline pH level as well. Limestone chips can be added to the pond to raise the pH of the pond. If the pH in the pond is too high, or fluctuates, add calcium carbonate to the water to restore the levels back to normal.

2. Remove any dead or diseased plants. Shore line plants can be removed by hand or with a shovel or hedge clippers. A pond rake is the best way to remove debris and unwanted plants from the middle of the pond. Attach the rake to a rope and throw into the middle of the water. Slowly drag the rake back toward the shore. Remove any plant matter and throw into trash bags. Repeat until the surface of the pond is clear.

3. Attach a rock to the pond rake to pull weeks or debris from the bottom of the lake. Toss the rake in and allow it to sink to the bottom. Slowly drag the rake back towards the shore. Dispose of the debris as before.

4. Add pond conditioner to the pond to control unwanted plant and algae growth. The amount necessary will depend on the pond, but a general rule is to use 1 quart of conditioner per 1/4 acre of pond. Smaller ponds will naturally use less than a quart of conditioner.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the pond conditioner you buy is safe for your pond's other plants and fish.

References

• Nature's Pond: Maintainance
• Time to Clean the Pond
• Pond PH levels