Fall Water Gardening

Tips and tools you need to keep your fountain running smoothly as the seasons change

Now that the cool breezes of fall have begun to blow and the colors of nature are intensifying, it has become an even more inviting time to relax outdoors. Nothing is nicer than taking a steaming mug of hot cocoa or cider out into your garden, sitting down and listening to the soothing sounds of your water fountain. Keep your outdoor space inviting with these tips for water gardening through fall.

Keep your fountain clear of debris. As the leaves come down, they can fall into your fountain or pond and interfere with the efficiency of the pump. When they decompose, they can also cause the water to become cloudy and full of bacteria. Skim leaves off the surface of the water daily and use an algaecide such as No More Algae for Fountains once a week as directed.

Give the pump a good cleaning. To prepare for the coming winter, it's a good idea to go ahead and clean your pump now. This ensures that any gunk left inside won't dry up and clog the inner workings once you've emptied your fountain for the season. Remove the cover and pull out any organic matter, animal dander or other debris that may have accumulated. Also, pull out the rotor and remove debris from it as well.

Toward the end of fall, temperatures in many regions can dip below freezing. Get a good quality fountain cover so that once it's time to empty out the water in your fountain, you can protect it from the harsh weather. Precipitation that accumulates inside the basin can thaw and re-freeze, causing cracks.

If you have a water garden pond, now is the time to prepare your plants for the cold weather. Cold-hardy aquatic plants should be divided and dropped down to the deepest part of the pond, where they'll stay until spring. If your pond is very shallow, you may want to consider purchasing a pond heater to keep your plant life alive through the fall and winter. Tropical plant life will not survive in cold water, so it's better to remove them altogether. If you leave them in, not only will they die, but as they decompose they'll increase the level of nitrogen in the pond, possibly killing your other plants as well.

Water gardening is a very enjoyable hobby, both for the enthusiast and those who get to experience the results. Proper care will keep your outdoor water features working properly and looking beautiful year-round. For more water gardening and fountain supplies, visit www.kineticfountains.com. Fountain pictured at left is the Roma Garden Fountain.