Ponds and Water Features - January

Check the weather forecast each day. Frost can damage pre-formed and concrete ponds as water expands when frozen. To prevent this happening, float a plastic ball in the pond – the ball will absorb the pressure of the ice. This is also a good idea if you have fish in the pond as you will be able to pop the ball out each morning to leave an airhole for the fish.

If your pond does freeze over, trapping your fish beneath the ice, melt it with a pan of boiling water – just stand the pan on the ice. Don’t smash the ice as the shock could kill the fish and might also damage the pond liner.