Summer is another tough season for small garden ponds. The warmer weather can spoil the balance between the amount of vegetation and the levels of sunlight.

Observations and Summer Tasks

• Aquatic plants help maintain a balanced pool free from algea in summer.
• Free floating plants reduce the amount of sun reaching the depths and keep the water cooler. Gently place new plants on the surface.
• Maintain 50% of the water surface clear of vegetation thinning when necessary.
• Deep water aquatic plants with floating leaves like water lilies benefit from regular dividing.
• Submerged oxygenating plants are vital to pool hygiene 5-20 stems per square yard of surface is needed.
• Excessive plant growth replaces oxygen with carbon dioxide at night potentially causing fish to die.
• Thin out and avoid invasive species such as Mtriophllum acquaticum.
• Good housekeeping involves topping up water levels and removing dead and rotting vegetation.

Thorpe Perrow Lake