The right gestures to maintain a garden pond as autumn approaches

Autumn is the season when bright sunny days gradually give way to cold weather. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt the right practices for maintaining a garden pond as autumn approaches. Here are some tips for getting through autumn with peace of mind and enjoying a pond in top condition. 

These will help properly prepare the pond and protect aquatic plants and animals during the winter season. Discover our selection of autumn products here (here).

What happens in a garden pond during autumn?

As autumn arrives, the trees take on their beautiful red and orange hues. It is lovely, but many leaves may fall into your pond. The temperature begins to drop, marked in particular by morning mist and cool late afternoons. In addition, the pond’s fauna and flora slow down and gradually enter a dormant period.

How do you maintain your garden pond as autumn approaches? During this period, the trees, shrubs, and other plants surrounding your pond begin to lose their leaves and flowers. Once in the pond water, this plant debris can be harmful. We recommend using a pond skimmer or a dedicated net to prevent this debris from sinking to the bottom of the pond and turning into organic waste. 

In addition to causing algae to proliferate, they also release toxic gas as they decompose, leading to a decrease inoxygen in the water.

⭐ You may also be interested in: we have put together an article to help you clearing algae from your pond

Clearing the pond of plant debris

To better protect your pond during the autumn season, it is important to clear it of dead leaves and surface debris that may sink to the bottom. Floating dead leaves can easily be removed from the water’s surface using a pond net. If your pond is decorated with water lilies, remember to remove the faded flowers and leaves as well.

After cleaning the water’s surface, you should also think about other aspects of pond care. A net with a telescopic handle or one with a sufficiently long handle allows you to collect fallen debris and remove green algae lying at the bottom of the water. For optimal cleaning, using a pond and water-garden vacuum is recommended.

⭐ You may also be interested in: our complete guide to Pondovac vacuums by Oase 

For pond vacuums, rest assured about your fish. They are generally opposite the suction inlet. Throughout the PONDOVAC range, you also receive a suction net + a specific attachment to prevent excessively large debris from being vacuumed up. 

Maintaining garden pond fish in autumn

As mentioned earlier, the fish in your pond enter a resting period at the end of autumn. There are no specific rules regarding the period when fish stop eating. In fact, when the temperature drops below 8°C, your fish eat very little (or feed on the bottom). 

When the temperature drops to around 12–13°C, the fish's metabolism slows considerably and their needs change. It is therefore necessary to adapt your fish's diet. We recommend giving them food based on wheat germ.

Although they do not need to be fed as frequently as at other times, fish still need a certain amount of energy to get through the winter. It is therefore recommended to choose a complete, vitamin-rich food with a reduced protein content, suitable for temperatures below 15°C.

⭐ You may also be interested in: we help you choosing food for your Koi carp !

Garden pond: maintaining the equipment in autumn

Just like the garden pond, the equipment that keeps it running is also affected by the harsh conditions of the cold season and must be protected until the following seasons. As the temperature drops below 10°C, the filtration system can be put into standby to protect it from winter frost.

Warning: with certain installations (such as SHARK BEAD, for example), contact your installer to avoid damage when shutting down the system. Some installations cannot be shut down and must run at low speed during the winter. 

If you remove the pump from your pond (such as an AQUAMAX or MPF), we recommend cleaning it and using an anti-limescale cleaning solution. You can use a product such as PUMPCLEAN to soak it in a basin or bucket of water. If you store it outside the pond, leave it in a bucket of water to prevent wear on the pump parts, especially the seals (drying out). 

Before storing your equipment, you must first drain it and purge the water circuit. Pumps and filters must be stored in a frost-free place (keep the pump in water to prevent the seals from drying out and wearing too quickly).

You can also leave it in a deep area of the pond where it will not freeze. The most effective method is to store them, ideally clean, in a container of water. This method helps prevent the seals and other components from drying out.

Should I switch off my UV? 

When the water temperature remains consistently below 10 °C, you can start considering switching off your ultraviolet clarifier. Indeed, the water temperature is now too cold for single-celled algae to survive.

Also remember to remove your UV lamp and store it in a frost-free place for the winter, unless your system does not shut down during winter. A UV unit loses an average of 50% of its power per year. We generally allow 3W/M³ for a pond moderately exposed to sunlight. 

Protecting the garden pond during autumn

Regularly cleaning the pond in autumn is essential; however, it is more effective to put preventive measures in place. To this end, you can opt for a protective net to prevent plant waste and other debris from accumulating at the bottom of the water. 

⭐ You may also be interested in: our tips for avoid sludge in your pond

You can also use products specially formulated for the seasonal maintenance of your pond. These work by accelerating the decomposition of leaves and other organic waste.

On very cold days, using accessories such as an anti-freeze dome coupled with your air diffuser effectively protects your pond (see the diagram below for how to position the diffuser).

Indeed, the ice that forms on the water’s surface traps gases produced by the decomposition of plant waste at the bottom of the water, which can make the water unhealthy. It is therefore recommended to place the diffusion hose in the center with its diffuser to enable this gas exchange. 

Pond water analysis

Also remember to carry out a water test. It is recommended to regularly monitor your water quality at this time of year with a water testing kit, as the GH, KH & pH values of your pond water may vary.

In short, here is a summary

It is important that the surface of your pond does not freeze completely, as this would prevent oxygen from entering the pond through diffusion and would also prevent toxic gases from escaping.

To better support you, we are ending this short guide with our collection of autumn products (click here to see everything):