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Do Cattails actually die in the winter or can I do something to prevent them from coming back? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on October 27, 2011 by thepondguy

During the winter months, cattail foliage dies off. Leaves and stems turn brown and dry up when the weather gets cold, and optimistic pond keepers dare to imagine their backyard water features without the scourge of unwanted cattails. But deep beneath the pond, cattail roots are alive and well in their dormant state, saving up their energy to come back strong in the spring.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Catfish, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Emergent Weeds, Phragmites, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

I’m going to use my pond for skating over the winter. What do I need to do to store my aeration system? I’m going to use my pond for skating over the winter. What do I need to do to store my aeration system? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on September 19, 2011 by thepondguy

One of the great joys of a backyard pond is its four-season versatility. After three seasons of aesthetic satisfaction, there’s nothing better than strapping on a pair of skates and hitting the water when it hardens up for the winter. But before the temperatures drop, your aeration system demands some seasonal attention.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Benefits of Owning, Carbonate Hardness, Emergent Weeds, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Turnover, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

The leaves are just starting to fall..I see netting for water gardens to keep the leaves out, do they make anything like this for large ponds? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on August 26, 2011 by thepondguy

When fall comes around, leaves and ponds seem to have a magnetic attraction to one another. And while netting is available in essentially any size you might need, it’s a cumbersome solution for larger ponds. Simply spreading the netting over a large pond is a major undertaking– and the impracticality of installing posts throughout your pond to keep leaf-covered netting from sinking makes other solutions look much more attractive.

Filed under: Aeration, Benefits of Owning, Cattails, Duckweed, Emergent Weeds, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

What is the difference between regular Bluegill and Hybrid Bluegill? | Ponds & Lakes Q&A

Posted on August 4, 2011 by thepondguy

What is the difference between regular Bluegill and Hybrid Bluegill? Dan – Toldeo, OH Ask any thoroughbred Bluegill, and they’ll tell you there’s a huge difference. But the truth is, a Hybrid Bluegill is simply a cross between a Male Bluegill and a Female Sunfish. As it turns out, that combination produces a population that’s [...]

Filed under: Bass, Benefits of Owning, Catfish, Cattails, Emergent Weeds, Fish, Fish Habitat, Fish Kill, Fish Stocking, Goldfish, Koi, Mosquitoes, Muck, Pets, Pond & Lake, Trout | 2 Comments »

Should I cut cattails before I treat them? | Ponds & Lakes Q&A

Posted on July 29, 2011 by thepondguy

At first blush, it seems pretty logical to cut cattails before treating them. But when you understand how the treatment works, it’s immediately clear: cutting first is the wrong way to go.

Filed under: Cattails, Emergent Weeds, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 6 Comments »

There are rakes, razors, cutters…skimmers…is there a difference and which works best to clean the pond? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on July 14, 2011 by thepondguy

Yes. You could sweep your garage with a toothbrush. It’s possible. Some people – who have a much lower tolerance for dirt than most – might even do it. But when the time comes to do the job, you’re much more likely to choose a push broom, or better still, a shop vac. Why? Because they’re the right tools for the job. The same principles apply when you’re cleaning your pond. If you pick the proper tool, the job will be a lot easier – and much more effective.

Filed under: Algae Control, Benefits of Owning, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Duckweed, Emergent Weeds, Phragmites, Pondweeds, Sago Pondweed, Uncategorized, Water Clarity | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

We just purchased a house that had a pond, it hasn’t been taken care of, where do we start? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on July 6, 2011 by thepondguy

If you’ve ever adopted a stray pet, you already have a general sense of what it’s like to become the keeper of a long-neglected pond. Like the stray, the pond probably looks like it’s been reclaimed by nature: rough around the edges…

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Algae Defense, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Emergent Weeds, Fish, Fish Kill, Muck, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Pondweeds, Sago Pondweed, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Water Clarity | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

What is EcoBoost and how should it be used? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on June 21, 2011 by thepondguy

For too long, bacteria has been painted with a broad brush, taking the heat for everything from illness to itchy feet. We’re here to set the record straight – and to stand up for the good bacteria of the world. And some of that good bacteria needs – yes, needs – to be present in backyard ponds and water gardens to ensure the health of both plant and fish life.

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Cattails, Emergent Weeds, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

My pond looks like an oil slick. Why and how can I get rid of it? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on June 17, 2011 by thepondguy

Every year, Mother Nature unleashes a mass of pollen into the air to facilitate the fertilization of seeds in flowering plants. It’s an effective design, but not terribly efficient. Pollen ends up everywhere – just ask anyone who suffers from hay fever – and the surface of your pond is no exception.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Duckweed, Emergent Weeds, Fish Kill, Fountain, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Turnover, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

What causes pond odor? | Farm Ponds & Lakes Q&A

Posted on June 2, 2011 by thepondguy

When your pond starts to smell like old socks, there’s a very good chance that (a) it’s not well aerated; and (b) it’s full of decaying debris. The third alternative – that your pond is filled with dirty socks – is a long shot, so we won’t even bother to address it. But stagnant, debris filled ponds? We’ve got the answers you need.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Chara (Algae), Emergent Weeds, Fish Kill, Fish Stocking, Muck, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Water Testing | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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