One of the simplest things that you can do to your pond at this time of year that will take seconds is to add a ball to the pond surface.

It is the time of year when we start to prepare for the winter freeze. This does not however mean that the pond owner’s life becomes one of just staring through the window at the pond waiting for warmer weather.
If you haven’t already cleared the leaf fall from trees around the pond now is the time. You don’t want to alter the balance of nutrients in your pond by letting all the leaves in your garden blow into the pond during windy weather. Depending on the size of your garden this may take some time but it is definitely a worthwhile task. Remember to remove dead or dying foliage from around the pond’s edge as well. Any clearing now will make your life much easier come spring.

You should be slowing down the feeding of your fish around now. Fish are cold blooded so will be less active in the winter and will consequently not need to be fed as much. If your pond is likely to freeze, add a ball to the pond’s surface, this will stop it freezing and thus allow the pond to be fully oxygenated. If the pond does freeze it can damage the pond liner due to expansion and dangerous gases can build up underneath the ice surface. In such instances heat a pan and use this to melt the ice surface, don’t be tempted to add hot water to the pond to melt the ice or hit the ice with a hammer.