If you have a pond, look through the spring chores listed below...proper spring maintenance is not difficult or extremely time consuming, but very important to the health of your ecosystem.

If you don't have a pond and waterfall, give some serious thought to making this your project for the season. I guarantee that the hours of enjoyment you receive will pay for your time and expense many times over.
Learn more about water gardening here:

(1). Manually remove as much decaying organic material as possible from the bottom of the pond, using a long-handled skimmer.

(2). Test the pond water for pH, ammonia and nitrites.

(3). Before the water temperature reaches 55 degrees, drain and clean the pond and filtering system(s). It's important to perform this once/yr. maintenance before biological activity begins (at 55 degrees)...here's more info on this simple, but very important procedure:

(4). If your water supply is chlorinated, be sure to use a de-chlorinator product when refilling the pond.

(5). After spring cleanout, start applications of natural water quality products. The two essential products I use here are Microbe-Lift Barley Pellets to control string algae and Microbe-Lift Spring/Summer Cleaner to insure crystal clear water. Both are available at The Landscape Market:

(6). Most fish experts recommend feeding fish very sparingly when the water temperature reaches 55 degrees. Feed every 3-4 days and only what they can eat in 5 minutes. When water temperature reaches 60 degrees, feed 2 - 3 times daily.

(7). Divide hardy marginal plants and replant.

(8). Most important - sit by your water feature and enjoy the spring sunshine!

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