Basic Pond Planting Guidelines

• Cover 2/3 of water surface with plant material.
• 1 bunch of oxygenating plants for every 2-3 sq.ft. of exposed surface area.
• Recommend 1″ of fish/sq.ft. of surface area, allowing for growth and reproduction.

Waterlilies

• Require 4-6 hours of sunlight a day.
• Enjoy calm water; do not plant near waterfalls or nozzle effects.
• Average waterlily should have 8″ of water above the crown of plant.
• Fertilize once a month, from May to September, 8 tabs/1/2bushel.
• Available in hardy and tropical varieties
• Tropical lilies provide different colour choices, scents & nightblooming qualities.
• On average 8-10 sq.ft. coverage of pool surface area
• May require dividing in 3 years

Bog Plants or Shallow Water Plants

• Many varieties available that generally grow in 8″-10″ of water.
• Provide a softening effect to the pond edge and add seasonal colours.
• Available in hardy and tropical varieties.

Floating Plants

• Provide fast surface coverage, helping to prevent algae by shading and utilizing nutrients.
• Grow rapidly and offer fish protection and spawning area.
• No soil or pot required.

Oxygenating Plants

• Help to control algae naturally.
• Keeps water pure and clear.
• Required in all garden ponds.
• Grow under water
• Plant in 8″ pots on bottom of pool in between the water lilies.

Spring

• Take off any winter or fall protection.
• Clean out any debris, ie. scooping out leaves and dirt from the bottom
• Fertilize plants in May
• Reposition plants stored indoors into the pond at the end of April

Summer

• Add any oxygenating plants that maybe required after a harsh winter
• Regular filter cleaning(expect once a week)
• Remove any spent blooms or leaves daily
• Top up pond periodically with fresh water
• Fertilize plants monthly

Fall

• Stop fertilizing treatments after September and stop feeding fish once the water is below 50 degrees F.
• Cover pool with netting to prevent as many leaves as possible from entering pond
• Cut off all yellow and dead plant material as it appears

Winter

• Pools less than 18″ in depth should have all waterlilies removed for the winter. The lilies can be stored indoors in a cool place wrapped in burlap to keep the plants consistently moist all winter. Do not store in water or the plants could rot.
• Most hardy bogs can be left in the pond on the shelf for the winter (think of them as perennials, much like a tiger lily). If the pool will be empty for the winter then remove the bog plants and bury in soil in a flower bed(keeping them in the pot).
• To ensure the survival of plants and fish over the winter a patch of ice can be left open using heat sticks
• Another method of keeping the fish alive is provide them air using an air pump. This provides the fish with needed oxygen and will keep a patch of ice open for most of the winter months.
• We do not suggest covering the pond for the winter but if this is something you wish to do then only cover the pool with natural wood (not pressure treated) and/or straw. The material should be placed over the pond at the end of November and removed in March.
• Be patient and plan for next year’s project while your pond is hibernating