Now is the time of year that you need to keep a close eye on your pond if you want to make sure that a balanced eco-system is maintained throughout the winter. Autumn time is the most prevalent time of year that leaves from surrounding trees and plants will fall into your pond. Leaves that are left in your pond will eventually decompose making the water murky and eventually silting up your pond, they will also alter the nitrate balance in the pond hence changing the chemical balance of your water.

The best way to deal with the leaves in your pond is to try to stop them falling into the pond altogether. When leaf fall is at its worst, you could try to place some netting over the surface water. The net can just be placed on the water surface and be supported by poles or kept in place by a few strategically placed stones or bricks at the water’s edge. You can the easily remove the net once a week and add the excess leaves to your compost heap.

Another method that is not quite as good, but also provides the duel purpose of having a barrier around the pond, is to create a low level fence around the pond with chicken wire fastened around the base. Most of the leaves will be blown into the fence instead of into the pond.

If you don’t want to employ either of these methods then you will have to resign yourself to the fact that most likely you will have to use a rake or net and clear the pond as often as possible.

Building a pond can become a full time project. Many people use it as a form of therapy; if the children are getting a little too much, get the wellies on and start clearing the pond.

And one particular pleasure that pond owners get from their water garden is from choosing plants to add to the look of the pond.

Plants can really make a difference to garden ponds. They make the pond look far more natural and they can be used as a way of emphasising water features or any wildlife you keep in the pond.

They do of course, have their more practical uses, in that they produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and they also shade any fish that you keep and reduce any unwanted light.

Plants help to reduce algae and they also attract wildlife to your pond, which can be particularly great for keeping the children entertained as well as teaching them a little bit about nature.

When installing your plants, ensure that you use aquatic compost as this does not pollute the water with quick releasing fertiliser. You may also make use of aquatic baskets which are designed with mesh so that the soil does not simply float away.

Soon, you will have your very own haven. And somewhere peaceful to escape when the children get a little too much.

As with any other feature in your garden, a pond has to be well maintained in order to ensure that it continues to look as it should.

Aside from looking after any plant life around the pond, you also need to ensure that the water is kept clear. This is particularly important if you keep fish.

The first few weeks are crucial for garden ponds. The pond life has to establish itself and that means that until this has happened, plants and micro-organisms cannot cope with toxic substances.

What can sometimes happen, in the early stages of a pond, is that the pond ‘dies’ and sadly, this is the end for your fish too.

So, it is good to know what to do in this situation. Firstly, you need to establish whether nitrite was the cause of this. If nitrite is present, as well as ammonia, then this tells you that the vital biological processes have not developed properly. Carrying out a nitrite test will be able to tell you whether your pond is ready for fish.

You can then use a ‘starter bacteria’ in your pond to speed up the biological processes so that the level of nitrite is no longer dangerous. Once the nitrite level is safe and the PH level has been checked, fish can be safely added to your garden pond.

Deciding to build garden ponds is a big decision. Having a water feature in your garden will completely transform it.

But before you begin to plan building your pond, you must ensure that you make some vital decisions. After all, you don’t want to get half way through the back breaking work only to discover that you’re digging in the wrong place.

If you are digging a pond because you are hoping to create a tranquil area in your garden where you can sit back with a cold drink and relax, then you are a little less restricted. However, if you are hoping to attract wildlife, then the location, size and shape all need to be considered carefully.

Wildlife garden ponds can be great if you’ve got small children. They can be an excellent way for them to learn about nature and animals. So if you are looking to build a wildlife pond, it is best to choose a warm, sunny area and ensure that you dig it so that it has gently sloping edges so that wildlife are attracted to the shallow waters.

Once completed, it won’t be long before your pond is attracting birds, frogs and dragonflies.

Although they can really add beauty to your garden and can provide a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the outdoors, garden ponds can also be hard work. But look after your pond properly and the rewards can be endless.

The most common problem faced by garden pond owners is that of weed and algae. Blanket weed attaches itself to solid objects within the pond and forms green strands which can cause problems for fish and can also look unsightly.

There are many different factors which contribute to the build up of blanket weed, ranging from the amount of sun exposure, water chemistry, filtration and the fish.

There are also many different treatments you can use to tackle this problem weed but the best one is the plant friendly treatment which is safe and effective. These work by altering the water chemistry so that the environment is not suitable for blanket weed. But any other plants that are growing in the pond will not be destroyed.

Another option is the electronic weed control units. These work by wrapping two or more antenna wires around the outside of a section of the pond’s pipe work and they produce a frequently altering signal which alters the water chemistry. These units should not do any damage to plants and fish in the pond.

Just like the rest of your garden, garden ponds require a lot of care and attention. They need to be maintained and checked regularly to ensure that you can continue to get pleasure out of them.

The main thing to keep an eye on is the water level. If you notice the water level dropping, it may be because you have a leak. This will need to be repaired as soon as possible, particularly if you have fish in your pond.

If you do have fish, ensure that you check them every day. Check that they all look healthy and that they are eating the right amount.

But there is a lot more to pond maintenance than this. You will also need to remove debris, leaves and weeds from you pond on a regular basis and clean your pond filters and pond pumps. This becomes even more important in the summer months when increased temperatures result in more weed and algae.

It is also advisable to give your pond a water change of around 10 – 20 per cent once a month and make sure that you add a dechlorinating liquid.

There is more to having a garden pond than simply digging it out and filling it with water. To get the most out of your water garden, make sure you look after your garden pond properly.