Carter’s Garden Blog

For you DIY-ers out there, we also sell any supplies pond owners will need; to do their clean-outs their selves. Below you will find a Pond Clean-out Check List to help you along. If you’re not sure what size filters you need, we can help you. Just come by or call! Also like us on Facebook & follow Mark’s page for great details and tips.

‘SPRING’ POND CLEAN-OUT CHECK LIST  

1. Fish Net – Before you drain your pond for the spring clean-out, you’ll need to catch and relocate your fish into a holding tank with a bubbler. Preferably in the shade. Buying a good quality fish net will help you do this without injuring your fish during the catch and release.

2. Planting Pots – Spring clean-out is a great time to thin and divide plants that have grown out of bounds or crowded a pot. Make sure you have some aquatic plant pots handy so you can re-pot and share your new plants with other water gardeners or expand them to other areas of your pond.

3.Extra Gravel – After the freeze and thaw of winter, you’ll inevitably find rocks and gravel that have shifted, exposing bare liner. With an extra bag or two of gravel, you can cover exposed liner in a jiffy.

4. Lily Tabs – Take advantage of the water-free accessibility of water lilies, lotus, and other plants that may need to be fertilized, by having a container of lily tabs on hand when you’re doing your pond clean-out.

5. Container for Plant Debris – Grab an old plastic plant pot or bucket so you can easily dispose of any debris that you gather from the pond bottom or from dead plant matter.

6. Rubber Gloves and Boots – Spring clean-outs can be cold, wet, and messy. Arming yourself with boots and gloves will go a long way toward making this chore much less unpleasant.

7. Fish Container and Bubbler Pump – A large tub will be needed so you can have a roomy place to keep your fish during the clean-out. A Bubbler Pump will help keep oxygen levels up for your fish and reduce stress.

8. Net to Cover the Fish Container – Fish, especially large Koi, jump, and they may very well jump right out of the container that you have set up for them. Be sure to cover it with a net that is pulled tight across the container to prevent them from jumping.

9. Pump and Discharge Pipe – To drain the water out of the pond, you will need a pump and some discharge pipe. It’s OK to use your pond pump, but even better if you have an extra pump to lessen the wear and tare on your pond pump. About 2,000 GPH, depending on the size of your pond, will do the trick.

10. High Pressure Nozzle – Use a pressure nozzle on your garden hose to dislodge debris and algae from the rocks.

11. De-Toxifier – you should always use De-Toxifier to Filter and Purify the water going into the newly filled pond before you put the fish back in.

12. Expanding Foam – Expanding foam may need a bit of a touch up in some areas. Be prepared with a can of it just in case.

13. New Filter Mats – Filter mats should be replaced approximately every 3 years. If you think it might be time, be prepared by purchasing replacements prior to your clean-out.

14. Pruners – Part of a spring clean-out is pruning back dead plant material from the previous season. Make sure you have a good pair of pruners or scissors to get the job done.

15. Plastic Rake – You can rake the leaves right out of your pond with a small plastic (child’s) rake. The plastic lessens the chance of damaging the liner and the small size makes it easier to maneuver in tight spots better than an adult size rake.

16. Beneficial Bacteria – Always follow up your pond clean-out with Beneficial Bacteria.