Got a little waterfront in your backyard? Get your season off to a swimming start with these suggestions from Town & Country Gardens.
• When pond thaws, pumps and pre-filters should be cleaned and reconnected. The sooner you get your pumps and filters running the sooner your pond will start to get its ecosystem re-established and balanced.
• Remove as much sludge, leaves and debris from pond as possible. Don’t drain and scrub clean. This will kill beneficial bacteria and destroy the ecological balance in the pond.
• Bacteria should be added as soon as the ice begins to recede. Microbe Lift Spring Cleaner is excellent at jump starting your ecosystem in the spring and helping to break down accumulated organic waste.
• Test the pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Continue testing weekly until your system has been running for four to six weeks and has stabilized, then check biweekly.
• Don’t feed fish until water temperature reaches 50 degrees (Check temperature in the morning).
• Hardy plants that over-wintered at the bottom of the pond can be moved back up to their growing locations and proper depths.
• Divide and repot your water lilies and marginal plants as needed.
• Fertilize pond plants with AgSafe Aquatic Tabs for healthier, more vigorous plants.
• Clean and inspect biological filters and skimmers. Don’t use chlorinated water as this will kill beneficial bacteria. Check filter pads and replace as necessary.
Source: www.tcgardens.com. For more tips and products, check out the Town & Country locations in both Idaho Falls
(5800 S. Yellowstone Hwy.) and Pocatello (1300 East Oak). You can reach the Idaho Falls location at 522-5247.