Protect Ponds Against Snow As Temperature Drops

It’s that time of the year when the evenings close in and the air has a chill to it, telling us that winter is well on its way. With weather forecasters predicting frost and snow could be around the corner, it is wise to make sure your pond is protected before the snow and frost set in.

While we’ve had a relatively mild autumn so far, experts are estimating temperatures are set to drop. According to WXCharts, they will go down to 1C by Tuesday (November 16th) in the north of the country, reported the Mirror.

There will also be a ‘high possibility’ of snow in Scotland before spreading to the north-east of England, Netweather charts show.

Forecasters from the Met Office suggested this cold weather is set to last: “Later on in the month there will also be an increasing chance of some wintry conditions, mainly over the higher ground in the north, but with a slight risk to lower levels.”

Therefore, it is a good idea to weather-proof your home, garden and pond as soon as possible, as this could be as mild as it gets for a while.

In fact, Netweather states there will be a “very high chance of snow” across much of the UK by the end of November, with the worst affected regions being Scotland, northern England and the Midlands.

Though weather forecasts are no guarantee, the experts seem to agree that snow is heading our way, as WXCharts predicts up to ten inches are likely to fall in some northern areas by the end of the month.

So, what should you do if you have a pond to protect from the ice, snow and frost?

The simplest thing to do is cover the water to avoid leaves or other debris falling into it over the winter months and releasing potentially harmful chemicals. Fit a net over the top of the pond, though make sure you clear it of any foliage every so often, as this could begin to sink into the water.

If you live in a particularly cold area, you could consider a pond heater as this will prevent the water from completely freezing during the coldest months.

However, across the majority of the UK, you could prevent total freezing simply by aggravating the water with a pond skimmer regularly so ice crystals are unable to form. In the event of an especially cold day and a sheet of ice does cover the pond, try to keep a small area free of frost by poking a hole in it.

To prevent pond plants from dying over the winter months, make sure you remove dead foliage before it gets too cold. The majority of pond plants, however, will die back until they return in springtime, so do not worry too much. Should you want to save them, you can bring them inside.

Those that survive all year round, such as water lilies, need to be thoroughly pruned to enable them to grow strong when the spring arrives.

Take a look at our water lilies for sale to keep your pond looking beautiful this winter.