Cleaning out your pond

Cleaning out your pond does not need to be done every year, however if the plants are getting bigger and making your pond crowded now is the time to do it. To start cleaning out your pond lift all plants and their baskets out. Now may be a good time to remove fish using a net. Put the removed fish in a temporary home with pond water and not tap water. Pump out the water and gently scoop out mud from the bottom being careful not to damage any liners. Hose and wash the liner using a soft brush and them remove the murky water left as residue. You can now begin to refill your pond, refill with your plants and divide them up and replace unhealthy plants. Lastly put the fish back into the pond along with the water they have been sitting in. After the pond is refilled, the water may go green but this will soon sort itself out when the plants re- establish.