Winter Care Pond Tips

Mild Climates

If you do not expect any frost, just leave everything in the pond and up to nature. The plants will appear to die back and go dormant (plant Water Hawthorne for winter blooms) and they will re-emerge next spring.

Cold Climates

If you do not expect to have more than 6" of ice on your pond, you can leave the plants in the pond PROVIDED THE ROOTS WILL BE BELOW THE ICE LINE. Tropical water lilies should be removed and stored. You can also make a temporary fiberglass cover for the pond and/or use a pond de-icer.

Very Cold Climates

If you expect to have more than 6" of ice or that the pond will freeze completely, then you should remove all of the plants for the winter.

Storing Pond Plants

Remove plant, pot and all, and place in large clear plastic trash bags. Then, double bag, seal and label. Store in a dark location at 50 - 60 degrees.

Storing Tropical Water Lilies

Remove the plant from its pot, wash and place in a pail of water. Change the water daily and allow the bulb to harden. Remove the excess roots and foliage. Store the bulbs only in a small bag of moist sand. Double bag the bulbs, seal and label. Store in a dark location at 50 - 60 degrees.

Building a Fiberglass Cover

Build a frame of 2x4s to support the sheets of fiberglass. Make sure the cover stays on at night, even if the weather warms temporarily. Use a pond de-icer to keep the water at an even temperature. Plants protected by a cover over the winter and warmed with a de-icer will come to life earlier and faster in the spring.