I should have written this article last month, it is almost a little late now, winter is almost here and the first frost night can happen any day. First, for all of you with fish in your ponds, I hope you have stopped feeding by now. Goldfish and Koi, the fish we normally keep in our ponds go semi- dormant even in our mild winters and live of their own fat and just nipple on the moss and algae, which is normally found in ponds. On warm winter days they might come to the surface and act as if they want to be fed. Don't give in to the temptation, the food will not be digested and will rot in their bowls and can kill them. In fall when the water temperature drops it is good to stop feeding high protein foods and only feed wheat germs. There is special fall and spring food available, but cheerios cereal is good too. Stop feeding when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees. In spring when the water warms up you can start feeding wheat germ foods till the water temperature reaches above 55 degrees.

Most water plants die down with the first frost. Water lily leaves that have died should be cut off and not be allowed to decompose in the water. That goes for all leaves that have fallen into your water garden. Marginal plants should not be cut down till spring, just as you would do in the garden. Decomposing leaves give up ammonia. Ammonia kills fish. Keeping a clean water garden always pays. Do not disconnect your pump and filters. There is a bacteria available from Microlift that is active in winter. Pumps should be lifted from the bottom of the pond and set on a higher level. That prevents colder water to reach the bottom. Tropical water lilies should be taken out the water when temperatures fall below 65 degrees to over winter in the house. The same applies for tropical plants and floaters like water hyathints and water lettuces.