If a pond has lots of rotting leaves at the bottom, it is likely to be filled with water dwelling wildlife isn't it? And if so, how best is it to clean it?
You could take the leaves out and leave them at the side, most of the wildlife would find its way back into the pond. But some wouldn't, and some would die from lack of water before they got there. Of course, if the leaves are left to build up then it could have the same effect on other wildlife in the pond, so it's difficult to know what to do!
Hi Bill
What I do when I want to clear the pond of excess weeds or stuff is drag it to the side and leave it on a sloping bit of the pond so the water drains back into the pond. Or:- put the stuff in a bucket, go do something else, come back and pour the water from the bucket back into the pond.
Dave
Hi Bill
Like any kind of management the best thing to do is remove some of the leaves. I would leave on the side for a couple of days to allow the minibeast to crawl back in and then compost elsewhere.
SCR
If you leave the leaves by the side of the pond then I'm sure most of the wildlife will be able to crawl or be taken on the flow of water back into the pond. The best way would be to stop the leaves using some sort of netting, but that doesn't look great and isn't always possible with large ponds.
Thanks for the advce everyone.
I think the best method seems to be move the leaves slowly and in stages, leaving each bit near the side of the pond. Thanks again
Hi Bill, You could always do it in 2 stages. First use a net with not really fine holes that would remove the bulk of the leaves & therefore most of the beasties would go through the holes & then see how much you have left to get rid of. Then like other people have suggested leave the leaves near the side for the stragglers to crawl back in.
We've not long moved into this house and Bingo it has a pond. Never had one before so not sure on the cleaning side of it, however, what we decided was not to clean it and leave it el-natural. We love our frogs and it has plenty so we're not getting any fish as they'll eat the taddies in the spring. It also has lots of lilly pads so we're not touching them either. If and when it needs refilling we'll do it with the natural rain water from the water butts as it be free from additives. The tap water here is disgusting. We don't drink it so its not going in the pond either.
Yogi.
We have a small garden pond. I pull leaves from it occasionally but look closely to make sure you're not removing some micro life. Damselfly nymphs may look insignificant but come the summer they tranform wonderfully. Here's one of the little critters on a
pond leaf.
Nice macro shot there Words.
Thanks Woodmaster. After reading this thread I did decide to get some of the leaves out of the pond today (at least enough so I could see the surface again).
i been in the garden all nite looking in my pond and thelife thats in it this time of year is great i have baby newt some frogs i think they are water beetles to and the some small fish .i have 10 goldfish in there so i hope the fish are baby goldfish.
mojo the cat