The initial step is to clean all debris from the pond. Leaves, branches, and other organic materials release toxic gases which can be harmful to fish and plants in your garden. Never install a pond under a tree unless you want to remove fallen leaves daily. Rake daily to lessen the amount of debris around the pond.

Check the water temperature and stop feeding fish when it reaches 45 degrees because their metabolism will slow down and they will stay in deepest and warmest part of the pond until spring comes.

The surface of your pond will freeze over completely unless you produce a hole in the ice to release the trapped gases. Use boiling water to create a hole and not by breaking because it would disturb and kill the fish.

Since ponds are typically deeper than water fountain reservoirs; the pump can be left working throughout the winter to keep circulating. See if the pump has an adjustor switch and set it to the lowest setting. Put the pump atop bricks, rocks, or an upside down flower pot with the end of the tubing approximately one to two inches below the surface. Remove the pump at the bottom of the water if you have fish since it will circulate the warm water to the surface turning it too cold for the fish and ultimately lead the fish to their demise.

If you live in a very cold climate wherein it will freeze the pond into more than six inches of ice, you should keep your plants for the winter. To keep them alive until spring, remove them from their pot and place them in large plastic bags. Place them in another bag, seal them tightly, and put labels. It is ideal to keep them in a place with the temperature between 50 to 60 degrees.

But if you live in a moderate climate and don’t expect that much ice to form in your pond, you can leave the plants outside as long as the roots are not frozen. It is ideal to submerge them in the deepest part of the pond. Please be reminded that all tropical plants should be removed. Enduring tropical aquatic plants like lilies can be removed and placed in a bucket of water, just remember to change the water daily. Once the bulbs harden, keep them moist in a small bag and store in a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees.

Get it Done Before the Frost

No matter how much you love the idea of running an outdoor fountain all year round the truth is that unless you live in an area where the temperature never drops below freezing you must shut your fountain down before the temperature dips below freezing. Even if there isn’t a full freeze, a few ice crystals can damage your fountain’s basin, ornamentation and pump. Pouring antifreeze in your fountain is not only not going to help, but will make your fountain a toxic, neighborhood danger. Don’t do it!

Get it Indoors If Possible

If your garden fountain is light enough to move inside, do it. Disassemble your fountain according to its directions, empty it out and store it in an area that maintains moderate above freezing temperatures to prevent cracking. If your fountain is too heavy to move, remove the fountain pump, empty, clean and dry it, and cover it with a form-fitting fountain cover. A tarp may blow off or create condensation. Disconnect and store electrical cords away from any snow, ice or moisture. If you can’t move your fountain, try to place it somewhere out of the way of snowdrifts, high winds areas that melt into stagnant pools.

Get Your Fountain Dry – But Keep Your Fountain Pump Wet

The key to keeping your outdoor fountain healthy through the winter is to keep it dry. Wipe it off and fill the basin with absorbent rags to prevent moisture from building up. If you do this while storing it somewhere where the temperature stays steady your fountain will last a long time. But while your fountain needs to stay dry, your fountain pump should stay submerged as much as possible to keep rubber elements from drying out. Clean your pump of any accumulated debris and put it in a bucket of water. Store this bucket in a location that never drops below freezing.

Can Your Fountain Work Indoors?

Many smaller outdoor fountains are actually dual use. You can plug them in indoors as well to enjoy their relaxing effects all year round. Check your fountain, but generally speaking, flat-bottomed or stub-footed water fountains that use household electricity, maintain regular water circulation and don’t emit a heavy mist can be installed indoors. Place your fountain on a waterproof surface such as Plexiglas, slightly raised from the floor, and allow for several inches to a foot of clearance on all sides. Make sure you no children or pets will drink from the fountain (or in the case of pets, use a nontoxic additive, but don’t let it become their regular water bowls!) and you can keep it running at room temperature through the winter. Indoor fountain maintenance is a simple process of keeping your fountain clean and maintaining water levels.

Garden fountains are expensive and it is important to maintain them to maintain a beautiful looking and refreshing garden water feature for the next season.

Here are the 6 easy steps to effectively maintain your water fountain during the months of winter.

1) Drain all the water and clean it thoroughly.

2) Take apart different pieces of your outdoor fountain and place it in a safe place. If it is not possible for you to disassemble the fountain because of its size or location, considering placing it under a shed or in a weather controlled storage room like a garage.

3) Clean the pump and remove any debris that might have accumulated on the pump filter.

4) It is critically important to store your pump in the right place. It should be stored in an indoor place, preferably in a water bucket or container. Most of the pumps fail because of the air gaps and tube dryness issues.

5) Cover the fountain with a canvas weather proof material to protect it from harsh and damaging winter weather.

6) If you decide to keep your garden fountain in the outdoors, it is of utmost importance to cover the base of your fountain with absorbent materials like rolled towels or blankets. This is to protect the fountain basin from cracking from the water that turns into ice and expands.

7) When you assemble your garden fountain in next season, make sure you power up the pump in water and test it to remove any air gaps that are created in it. Do not assemble the fountain without testing and removing any air gaps in your fountain. Taking care of this upfront will save you from the hassle of fixing any pump issues before the tedious task of water fountain assembly has begun.

Following these simple and easy-to-implement steps will ensure a long life of your garden fountain. Small cracks and scratches are normal for an outdoor fountain, what really matters is the smooth and free flowing water passage for easy water circulation, a healthy pump, and a leak-free basin.

Finally, if you really miss your garden fountain during the winter months, consider looking into getting a tabletop fountain or a wall fountain to create an indoor oasis during the months of winter.

Most people avoid purchasing fountains because they think that caring for the investment is inconvenient. According to the professional fountain consultants at Plazafountains.com, this is clearly a myth. Outdoor fountain care is extremely important; however, it is really quite simple. In fact, caring for fountains should only take a few hours each month and typically is a matter of upkeep and cleaning maintenance. First, garden fountain care involves monthly cleaning to prevent algae build up and mineral deposits. There are many products available to ensure the job gets done. Contact a fountain consultant from Plazafountains.com for our preferred brands of cleaners.

Simple Garden Fountain Care

To keep gardens beautiful and fountains even more beautiful, simple maintenance is necessary. Let’s stress simple. Beyond cleaning fountains briefly each month, owners must also consider the basics of garden fountain care. This begins with pump maintenance. It can be distressing to have to replace pumps. In order to avoid replacement, owners can monitor the effectiveness of the pump simply. Pumps vary for different brands of fountains and include easy to follow directions. Let our professional consultants guide you as well with complete winter fountain care tips and suggestions at every stage of the process. Contact us directly at 1-800-609-1650.

Necessary Winter Fountain Care

When the storms of winters begin to rage, it is time to assess fountains and winter fountain care. Realistically, because of the quality constructions available from Plazafountains.com’s preferred manufactures, most fountains can withstand the test of time, but if possible, providing shelter for fountains may lengthen the life of the structure. If indoor shelter is not feasible, it is recommended by our outdoor fountain care experts that the fountain is drained and covered during harsh weather. For more tips on caring for fountains of any kind, keep browsing through our informational articles throughout Plazafountains.com.