Constructing and planting a pond

Here’s some help with keeping pond plants: 

• Make sure that there is enough water in the pond throughout the year. 
• Resolve problems with algae as quickly as possible. 
• Preferably place pond plants in separate water plant baskets at the right depth. It makes maintenance a lot easier. 
• Most pond plants do not like rapidly flowing water – slow moving water is ideal.
• If you are planting fresh pond plants, ensure the pond soil is thoroughly soaked beforehand. 
•  Cover the soil in planting baskets with gravel or a layer of stones in order to prevent it from washing out. 
• Weight the baskets with a stone in order to prevent them from floating and keep the baskets more securely in position. You might consider weighting the basket of wind-sensitive plants by screwing a tile underneath (or securing it with some wire). 
• Cut away all the dead plant residue in the spring.
• Give the plants slow-acting water plant fertiliser in the spring. Push one fertiliser pellet per plant into the soil by the roots.
• Ensure that the pond does not become overgrown during the growing season. Keep two-thirds of the water area uncovered.
• Thin out oxygenators if they are overfilling the pond.
• Prevent falling leaves from ending up in the pond in the autumn.
• Make sure that the pond cannot freeze over completely in the event of a winter frost. An ice preventer ensures this.
• Only clean a pond in the spring if it necessary.