The leaves are slowly starting to take on orange hues and fall to the ground creating carpets of yellow, orange and browns. Autumn has its own special beauty as it draws the growing season to an end- a time to relax after a busy growing season! Before winter arrives, however there are a few essential pond maintenance tasks that need doing to both your garden and pond as discussed here. Investing time to maintain your garden pond will benefit its inhabitants.

Autumn garden tasks

1. Tidy the edges to borders of flower beds – trim the grass, dead-head flowering plants (especially roses), remove weeds and cut back dead branches or stems. For those who love a tidy looking garden, the neat edges to flowerbeds and paving will distract from the grass being a little longer than it would be in spring and summer
2. Plant bulbs for a vibrant display of colour in spring. Plant daffodils between September and October, tulips in November
3. Give your lawn it’s last mow and spread an autumn fertiliser to add nutrients while also stopping the growth of weeds and moss. This is also a good time to lay new lawn while ground warm but not too wet
4. Dig compost or well rotted manure into your flowerbeds to keep plant roots warm over winter
5. Plant or transplant evergreens, shrubs, roses or hedging while the soil is still warm and is moist enough for easy digging. September to November is considered ideal for tree planting because roots can become established before the ground freezes over
6. Move frost sensitive potted plants and tender perennials indoors or store in a greenhouse, garage or conservatory – it only takes one night of frost to damage more sensitive types of garden plants. If you don’t have a sheltered place to keep vulnerable plants over the winter months, make sure you cover them with garden fleece or bubble wrap to protect from frost and freezing temperatures. Water less to bring on a state of semi dormancy. Digging in an ample amount of compost mulch or leaf mould should protect other more hardy plants which stay outdoors over winter
7. Clean garden equipment by removing all traces of rust. Store in a dry place to avoid corrosion
8. Prune back deciduous hedges
9. Rake-up leaves as often as you can. Leaves left on the lawn will block sunlight reaching the blades of grass, which may result in brown patches and moss growth. Make leaf mould from the fallen leaves. This will make a soil improver or nutrient rich mulch in which to grow seedlings. Leaf mould can be make by creating a separate leaf heap. The fibrous leaf mould retains moisture and enhances soil drainage. A leaf heap can be constructed using chicken wire and log posts allowing air to circulate. A leaf heap should take a year to rot down
10. Clean and cover or store garden furniture. Leaving it uncovered could encourage a green mould growing on it which then means having to do a tougher cleaning job before using the furniture again when the weather warms

Pond maintenance tasks

• Neaten overhanging plants by pruning back to reduce foliage falling into your pond
• Use a skimmer to remove debris before sinking to bottom of pond
• Reduce amount of food you feed you fish as they become less active as temperature drops
• Remove any sludge build-up from the bottom of your pond – without disturbing hibernating pond inhabitants

Autumn is also the perfect time of the year to build a garden pond in your garden. Wildlife will love you for this addition to your outdoor space.

And, with every job having the right tools to hand helps get things done more effectively and efficiently from keeping flowerbeds weed free to skimming off the leaves from your pond and adding them to your composter. Autumn garden and pond maintenance are essential to the health of both plants and inhabitants of a garden pond.

June 2023 has gone down in history as the warmest on record. For those who were lucky enough to spend those sunny, dry days on the beach will cherish the fun memories the month provided. But for garden enthusiasts and wildlife, the heat and lack of rain had devastating effects. The changes in climate are also having a distinct impact on our ponds, lakes and reservoirs ( greatly affecting farmers too!). We need to be mindful of these long dry periods and steps we can take to help our ponds continue to thrive. It is also intense periods of rain that can also have profound effects.

We always advocate lining man-made water features with rubber pond liners because they are resistant to UV rays and don’t go brittle nor crack during adverse weather conditions. The superior quality of Epalyn and Butyl pond liners are guaranteed to keep your pond water-tight provided they are installed above a geotextile liner to prevent sharp stones tearing the liner.

Let’s look at other steps we need to consider to protect ponds and wildlife during periods of extreme weather.

Garden ponds help combat climate change

According to Mike Jeffries, Associate Professor in Ecology at Northumbria University, garden ponds are more than just an attractive feature, they also play an important role in helping combat climate change. We already know that ponds increase garden biodiversity and help prevent flooding by slowing down the flow of water in heavy rains. But did you know that ponds also store carbon? A recent study suggests that in the sediment accumulated at the bottom of ponds, there’s potential to hold more carbon per square metre per year, than equivalent areas of grassland and woodland. Ponds are the most common and widespread habitat for all plants and animals.

We have lost over 50% of our ponds in the last century, in favour of neat lawns and paving. Ponds matter and are one of the most important things you can do for wildlife. They are easy to create and their value is now firmly understood. No longer overlooked, the importance of ponds in the carbon cycle and in fighting climate change is becoming apparent.

Steps to help pond during hot weather climate conditions

Hot, dry conditions can bring many challenges to ponds particularly to those home to Koi or goldfish. However, there are things we can do to minimise any negative impact.

• Monitor the temperature of the water and take action if it goes above 27 degrees Celsius (15 to 25 degrees C is optimal).
• Warmer the water becomes, the lower the oxygen levels. Watch out for fish swimming to the surface and gasping for breath leading to stress.
• Shade blocks UV rays from warming the water. Planting broad leaved plants such as water lilies and, or installing a temporary shade cover over your pond will help maintain a healthy temperature.
• Aquatic plants release oxygen during photosynthesis. This process offers an eco-friendly way to aerate the water. Plants not only take-up carbon-dioxide and release oxygen but also absorb excess nutrients that would otherwise increase risk of algae growth thereby improving water quality.
• Add a water feature to keep water moving and to create bubbles allowing a natural diffusion of oxygen into the water.
• Don’t over feed fish to reduce waste. Uneaten food will start to decompose over time and affect natural nutrient balance in the water. The result could lead to algae blooms.
• Remove debris before it decomposes.
• Make sure pond is deep enough to retain a bottom layer of cold water.

Your pond during periods of heavy rainfall

Reduce rainwater run-off into your pond by minimising man-made impervious surfaces. Plants absorb water so grow sufficient to cover your flower-beds including native plants which have extensive root systems to absorb rainwater before it becomes ‘run-off. Reduce the slope of your garden and add a gravel area around the edge of your pond to drain excess water. If your pond is at risk of flooding, scoop out excess water.

According to the RHS, managing our garden and ponds will help offer a buffer for wildlife in a changing climate. Ponds provide a life line to wildlife such as dragonflies, damselflies and amphibians.

Building a pond is an exciting project for any keen gardener or fish enthusiast. Two important initial decisions to be made are deciding on the shape and size of pond to fit an appropriate location in your garden. Once you have mapped out your pond on the ground and started excavating, the next step is deciding what pond liner will offer your pond the best water containment.

Pond lining options are bespoke box-welded pond liners, flexible sheet liners or a rigid preformed liner. Each has it’s pros and cons. A box-welded pond liner is fabricated in a factory to the exact pond dimensions of formal vertically sided pond designs. If you plan on building a small pond on a budget then a PVC pond liner will do the job. A rigid preformed pond liner limits creative designs and scope to add on to your initial pond build. Rubber pond liners such as Butyl and Epalyn offer longevity, flexibility and excellent durability.

Sold under many different brand names, EPDM is a pond liner with very high quality specifications. Liners Online sell EPDM under the name, Epalyn and is available in three different thicknesses; 0.75mm, 0.85mm and 1.0mm.

Epalyn is slightly more flexible than Butyl rubber pond liners which have dominated the market for many years. It moulds into the contours of ponds of any shape or size. Synthetic rubber pond liners are environmentally friendly and won’t affect pond life.

Features of Epalyn pond liner

• Fabricated in the factory or sheets welded together on site
• Highly flexible moulding readily to the contours of pond shape
• Very durable and resistant to UV radiation so won’t crack or go brittle
• Withstands adverse weather conditions : -40 to +150 degrees Celsius
• Doesn’t leach out any chemicals so safe for fish or any visiting wildlife
• Puncture resistant

With all the outstanding features of Epalyn synthetic rubber liner, you can even grab a summer offer on the price.

Ponds, bees and trees form a key part of our ecosystem. They form an important role in helping nature thrive. We make a difference to local wildlife by building a pond, planting a tree (or sponsoring one) and growing native plants rich with pollen or nectar.

A garden pond, preferably one designed to attract wildlife offers great value to local ecosystems. They will attract pond skaters, water beetles, dragonflies, damselflies and birds (if there is somewhere for them to land and drink). Ponds designed specifically for wildlife will also, in time, attract frogs and possibly newts too. If you would prefer an ornamental fish pond, it may not attract as many wildlife species but it will still offer a valued resource to many.

Autumn is the ideal time to build a pond when the ground is soft. But, even early spring is a good time to dig a pond before the ground warms and dries-out. Dimensions of at least 2m x 2m are considered to be optimal, but wildlife isn’t fussy when looking for a source of water. A pond depth of at least 60 cm will greatly reduce the chances of the water freezing over in winter.

When siting your pond aim to build it on flat ground (to avoid rain water flowing downhill and flooding your pond) in a sunny part of your garden.

Lining a pond with a good quality pond liner is advisable. It will prevent water lose through seepage, withstand UV radiation and less likely to tear.

Add oxygenating plants to reduce algae build-up and to keep water from stagnating. Planting long-stemmed plants such as Irises will provide a safe place for insects such as dragonflies to land and to exit from the water.

Steps to slow the decline in bird populations

According to an article by Scientist and Researcher, Ken Rosenberg published in the Journal of Science, we have lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years. His research focuses on helping to stop the alarming decline in birds. His theory is that “it is much easier and less costly to be proactive and work on this while birds are still coming.”

We can help birds by:

• Limiting or irradicating the use of pesticides
• Limit our use of plastics and dispose of any plastic responsibly – to avoid birds getting tangled in them
• Put up a bird feeder in a safe place and regularly put out energy rich food
• Plant fruit bearing trees (if you have the space)
• Support bird charities like the RSPB and their valuable research

Birds are a huge asset to farmers because they eat insects thereby keeping crop destroying insect population numbers under control. Birds also play an important role in helping with pollination.

We can help bees by growing plants that produce nectar rich flowers. by growing a range of plants there is the possibility of extending the availability of nectar from spring through to autumn. Plants such as Primrose, Buddleia, Lavender and Marigolds are just a few examples of bee loving plants.

Bees need trees. They provide a source of nectar and offer an essential habitat. Bees use the resin on the trunks of trees to build their nests. Cavities in the bark of trees provides shelter to bees and other insects.

Trees are essential habitats and air-filters

Trees clean the air we breathe. They soak-up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to oxygen via photosynthesis. Essentially they are the most effective air filters. They also provide a valuable habit for wildlife. Birds nest in trees, bats roost in trunks and insects seek shelter under bark. The resin of trees is used by some bee species to build their nests.

Climate change and extreme weather are driving the decline in bees, birds, butterflies and much of wildlife. We can slow the decline by using whatever outdoor space we have to create a haven for wildlife.

The days are getting notably longer and there are signs that warmer weather is on its way. Spring marks a season of new beginnings. A time of year when beautiful, vibrant colours ascend from the ground. It’s a season that brings with it a feeling of happiness and we begin to feel so much more energized as we head outdoors. Gardens come alive and for those lucky enough to live in the country-side, there is the bleeping sounds of lambing season. We love it!

As the temperatures start to warm, creatures who hibernate begin to awaken and so too does life in a garden pond. There are things pond owners can do to make this period as stress free for wildlife as possible. When the temperature of pond water is consistently at or above 10 degrees C, it is time to take important steps to prepare both garden and pond for Summer so that we can enjoy the sheer beauty they offer.

In the early spring, a ponds ecosystem is in a fragile state with growing demands on oxygen supplies as fish become more active and the water gets warmer. To help your pond for Spring, here are a few important steps to make sure your pond gets a healthy start.

Spring garden pond maintenance:

1. Start feeding your fish again.
2. Skim dead leaves and debris off surface of pond
3. Carefully remove this sludge from bottom of pond. Organic matter left in the pond will start to break down as bacteria become more active. Decomposition will cause pH levels to drop and increase nutrient levels in the water – which algae thrive on. You can use a skimmer net or pond vacuum to remove debris from the bottom of the pond. Whatever method you use, be careful not to remove or interfere with frogspawn. If you need to scrap debris off the bottom you also need to be careful not to damage the pond liner.
4. Water evaporates on windy and when the temperatures are high. It is important that you maintain the water levels by topping-up with water – preferably filtered from a rainwater butt as tap water carries higher levels of nutrients, which may affect the ecosystem.
5. Carefully remove your pond pump to check that it is in good working condition and remove any debris that may have got into the pumps mechanics.
6. If your pond is looking sparse, this is a good time to add a few aquatic plants. The aim should be for plant foliage to cover a third of the water surface. Plant a combination of floating aquatics, submerged oxygenating plants and water lilies, along with marginal plants grown in the shallow water around the edges.

There is nothing more pleasing than a well-maintained water feature. A garden pond offers sound, movement, reflections, and a place to grow aquatic plants. But ignore your pond and it will become a muddy, weed-infested ‘eye-sore’.

Contact Us or visit our website to order any of our pond or garden related products.

Pond maintenance is important throughout the year with each month having its list of actions that will need attention. Ongoing maintenance will ensure the water in your pond and it’s inhabitants continue to thrive from season to season.

For many of us, April has had unpredictable weather patterns which have seen snow, frost and high winds with a few warm sunny days too. With average temperatures around or marginally below the average for April, you will be forgiven for not being on top of your gardening and pond maintenance. But, we hope that the Easter week-end will bring warmer weather and inspire you to get both ‘Summer’ ready.

Now that the weather is warming up, it is the perfect time to introduce new plants to your pond. If you have a more established pond, it is important to thin out existing oxygenating and marginal pond plants (when they become too invasive and out grown their growing baskets). Cutting back aquatic plants will allow enough sunlight in to warm pond water and allow photosynthesis of submerged plants.

If you notice any signs of stringy blanket weed when tending to your pond, remove all traces as soon as possible. Dealing with Duckweed or Blanket weed as soon as possible reduces the chances of pond life being chocked by these oxygen sapping unwelcome plants.

Doing a few pond maintenance tasks each month will go towards a ensuring a thriving pond and a spectacle to enjoy during the warmer months of the year.

The number of ponds that have been built during these unprecedented times is just so exciting. Ponds not only add aesthetic value to your garden, but they are of great importance to wildlife. Most importantly, though is the reward of accomplishing a successful pond build and successfully adding fish to a healthy ecosystem. After which, you can sit back and enjoy all that your pond has to offer.

If you have built your pond for the purpose of homing fish, there are things to consider first. The best advise is to exercise a little patience, the result of which will be happy goldfish or Koi and a thriving pond.

Spring is the ideal time to introduce fish to your garden pond.

Steps to take before adding fish

• Establish a safe aquatic environment first. A healthy ecosystem is critical to the survival of your fish.
• Add a filter and pond pump to your water feature
• Check pH which needs to be maintained between a range of 7.2 to a maximum of 7.8
• Make sure the water temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit before introducing your goldfish or Koi
• Take care when transporting fish from place of purchase to pond location. Avoid direct sunlight onto the bag/s carrying your new pets

Introducing fish to a garden pond needs to be a slow process to avoid stress. A temperature variation between pond water and the water inside the bag they have been transported in needs to minimised. The best way to achieve this is to slowly add small amounts of pond water to the bag. Or, float the bag on the surface of pond for a half hour to an hour so fish can slowly acclimatise. Either method works provided you avoid fish being exposed to direct sunlight.

Size of pond matters too, especially if you are going to home Koi. They typically need at least 1000 gallons of water and depth of pond needs to be no less than 3 feet deep. It is also wise to net your pond to deter unwanted predators visiting your pond for a ‘free meal’.

We hope these simple, but practical tips are useful in a successful introduction of to your garden pond.

According to an article published on the UK Government website in January 2020, British households are responsible for 25% of total carbon emissions. This makes them one of the biggest contributors to UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. In the interest of this article we are going to look at a few practical tips on how we can make changes to the way we garden and care for our outdoor space in a more responsible way. Every little step we take will help reverse the changes to the state of the environment.

Garden in a manner that will cause little or no harm to nature and will help preserve it as best as possible.

Here are a few ideas to gardening in a ‘greener’ way:

1. Use natural methods to remove weeds from your lawn and flower beds. Avoiding the use of chemical weed killers will not only reduce adding packaging material to landfill or recycle bins, but it is kinder to micro-organisms and reduces the risk of rain run-off into your garden pond. Digging compost into flowerbeds or adding a layer of mulch will smother out weeds. Regularly digging weeds from lawn and garden beds before they seed also helps to keep those unwanted plants from taking over.
2. Practise organic gardening as much as possible.

Ponds take a few months to fully establish and build-up sufficient resilience to prevent it from being overwhelmed with algae. There are a few steps pond owners can take to help their new wildlife or fish pond thrive through the seasons. Maintaining good pond water quality is key.

A garden pond should ideally be at least 50cm deep and 1.5 meters wide to achieve a healthy balance.

A new pond needs to build up sufficient good bacteria and a balanced ecosystem so during this period it will require diligent maintenance.

The summer of 2021 has experienced some challenging weather conditions from extreme heat to torrential downpours. Through these adverse situations a new pond will need to be carefully managed to reduce the chances of poor water quality:

• Avoid rainwater run-off from your garden into your pond. This is of particular importance if the lawn has been fertilised or plants had added nutrients dug in to soil around their roots.
• Dead-head plants and remove fallen leaves before they sink to the bottom and start decomposing
• Scoop out the first signs of thread-like algae blooms
• Top-up a new pond with rainwater if possible (provided it is free of contaminants). Tap water is chlorinated so you want to avoid it killing off good bacteria. If your only option is tap water, it is advisable to stand in a bucket until warmed to ambient temperature before pouring into pond.
• Test water pH levels regularly to ensure pond doesn’t become too acidic or alkaline.

Importance of adding plants to wildlife pond

Aquatic plants help to maintain a balance between sun and shade as well as adding interest. They also play an important role in a pond’s ecosystem particularly in wildlife ponds. Aquatic plants offer a source of food and protection to frogs, newts, larvae and numerous small creatures that visit.

• Submerged plants offer shade and protection for aquatic larvae.
• Marginal plants provide an egg-laying habitat for newts and perches for dragonfly nymphs.
• Oxygenating plants help maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the water making it less murky. These plants also absorb impurities in the water.
• Floating plants covering up to two thirds of the surface, prevent the build up of bad algae and blanket weed.

Before going out to buy plants it is a good idea to research the mature size of plants relative to size of your water feature. Too little sunlight or, vice versa can affect water quality. Best to avoid invasive plants too.

The more time and effort you put into the first few months of your new pond, the more likely you are to be rewarded with a healthy water feature.

Choosing a pond liner can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look out for. Pond liners come in different types and thicknesses all designed with one primary purpose and that is to hold water. There are many liner materials on the market so in this article we will look at three popular choices available in the UK to help you in the decision process.

Consider the following pond liner features:

• Tear and puncture resistant to reduce the need for having to repair your pond liner
• Resistant to UV rays therefore guaranteeing a longer life expectancy
• High sheet flexibility so that it is easy to push into the corners and contours of your pond build
• Non-toxic to fish for those wanting to take-up koi or goldfish husbandry

Types of pond liners

The latest trend is to use a flexible pond liner versus a preformed pond. Sheet water containment materials offer design flexibility. It allows you to build a pond to any size, shape or depth. It also offers the means of expanding your pond build or adding a feature such as a stream.

The choice of pond liner tends to be either PVC or a synthetic rubber material. PVC has been around the longest and tended to be the traditional choice. It is the least expensive and it is easy to work with. PVC is a light weight material and conforms readily to the shape of a pond. However, PVC does leach chemicals into the water therefore is not the ideal choice for fish pond builds. It isn’t UV or ozone resistant so needs to be fully covered to avoid environmental damage which would reduce the liners life expectancy. Extreme weather conditions will also affect PVC causing tears and this material can’t be repaired if it punctures.

Rubber liners such as Butyl and EP (Liners Online EP is known as Epalyn) are both very pliable, offer high strength, resistant to UV and adverse weather conditions, non-toxic to fish, easy to repair and likely to last many years (25+ years).

For large ponds we recommend a flexible synthetic rubber pond liner of 1mm thickness. The thickness offers greater durability thereby ensuring it withstands the most demanding conditions.

Once you have decided on your preferred choice of flexible pond liner, you will need to measure your pond build and use the dimensions in a simple calculation. If you are still not sure how much pond liner to order, you can go to this Pond Liner Size Calculator page and input the widest length, deepest depth and widest width measurements, which will then determine the exact amount of liner to order.  We recommend doing the same to place an order for Geotextile protective underlay.

Happy pond building and we hope we have provided enough insight into making the best water containment choice for your large pond build.