Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2003
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/watergarden.html

Fall Water Gardening
September/October 2003
Scott Davies, West 13th Store Manager & KS Certified Nursery Professional

    With cooler fall weather upon us, there are a few changes to be made
in maintaining your water garden. Water temperatures begin to drop which
causes plant and fish growth to slow down. In addition, trees start
dropping their leaves and many of them end up in the pond. With these
conditions in mind, let's look at how to keep your pond clean, clear and
healthy.

    At this time of year, fish metabolism slows down due to cooler
water. Switch to Spring/Autumn Food by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for a
lower protein diet to reduce ammonia and murky water problems and to
give you more colorful fish. If you notice infections on the fish, a
salt bath may be just the cure. Pond Salt is not table salt. It is a
natural sea salt that can be added to the pond or given as a salt bath.
Pond Salt helps reduce stress in fish, improve gill function, as well as
eradicate external parasites.

    Cooler water temperatures also create a more favorable environment
for string algae to take off. String algae is a long fibrous moss-like
algae that can grow throughout the pond, especially in the cooler times
of the year. The beneficial bacteria that keeps much of it under control
during the summer begins to die off allowing the string algae to
blossom. A new product for us this year, S.A.B. (String Algae Buster),
is just the right stuff to prevent the string algae from taking off or
to get it under control. S.A.B. contains natural enzymes and bacteria
that are safe for fish and plants. These beneficial microbes rob the
string algae of nutrients it needs to grow and keeps the algae from
developing. Application rates are based on the size of the pond and made
on a regular schedule throughout fall, winter and spring.

    If falling leaves are a problem, try placing a garden net over the
pond. The netting, which comes in different sizes, catches most of the
leaves before they enter the water and prevents much of the sludge from
accumulating. It's still a good practice to apply MICROBE-LIFTš Autumn
Prep to the pond to reduce sludge build up during the fall and winter
months when dead leaves and other organic debris make their way into the
pond.

    Stop fertilizing water plants if you haven't done so already. This
allows plants to go dormant naturally for the winter.

    With a few simple changes this fall, you'll have healthy plants and
fish and your pond will be crystal clear throughout the fall and winter.
If you have questions about building or maintaining a water garden, stop
by any of our three locations.