Pond Netting – Keep Leaves Out of Your Pond

Autumn is here and  although the changing colour of the leaves is beautiful, having them fall from the trees into your pond is is not. Any leaves that do get into your pond will release tannins (tannic acid) into the water which turn it a tea colour and also lower the pH. If left in your pond all winter, leaves will continue to decay creating unhealthy conditions for your fish and  frogs by lowering oxygen levels, increasing ammonia and also creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and parasites to grow.

The easiest way to keep leaves out of your pond is to cover it with pond netting. Aquascape’s Protective Pond Netting is available in 3 sizes – 7’x10′, 14’x20′ and 28’x30′ and is woven for extra strength and durability. The net’s black colour makes it barely noticeable so it doesn’t look unsightly. Simply stretch it over the pond and use the stakes to secure the edges and hold the net tight and your done. If you have a larger pond, you might want to lay a few board across the pond to help keep the net off the surface of the water. You can also float a few beach ball on the surface of the pond before placing the net to help keep the net off the water.

Another benefit of adding pond netting is that it will help protect your fish from predators. Fall is the time of year when herons are most likely to visit your pond and eat your fish. Covering your pond with a net will keep your fish safe and sound. It is usually a good idea to remove the netting before it freezes, but if you have had a predator problem, you can leave it on over the winter.