I just had my one year anniversary with the pond here in E Texas. I have seen and learned a lot over this last year. An so not to repeat any mistakes, I thought I would throw this out there for you seasoned pond veterans. So, this past year I was told to fertilize my pond and so I did. Using a small 25# bag of finely ground fertilizer. (can't remember the numbers on the sk.) But it worked really well and I was able to maintain the bloom with 3 different applications throughout this past year. Visibility in this Olive green water was maintained at or around 18". But last winter when the surface water temps hit 42 degrees the water clarity went to around 40" +. So, can I expect this again this year? Or will a more established colony survive this yr? Should one continue to fertilize a pond during the colder water temps? My surface water temps this last winter stayed @ or around 51 except for a cold snap last Feb 22nd where it dropped to 42 for a week and then it climbed back up the 51 and stayed that way till March. When the water temp dropped the water visibility went to 4 to 5 feet or more. Will this always be this way? So what about winter and fertilization? And Thanks goes out to all you guys. You have been a great help.

Tracy

Fertilization in winter is not suggested. See this:


https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/118/

Discontinue fertilization
for the year when the
water temperature drops below
60o F in the fall, usually after
September 15 in the southeastern
United States. Fertilizing ponds
during the winter is ineffective,
and can lead to excessive growth
of undesirable filamentous algae
the following spring.

ewest, Thanks again.

Tracy

I am betting your calcium level is low.

I spend more time keeping my PH up then nutrients I get enough with the summer feed and run off.

I have 18"s year round and right now lucking to have 18"s with half an acre of ice on the pond.

Ewest you should have the tag of Pond boss Librarian not just Lunker.

DBBD, my calcium stays @ 40ppm, not great but ok. Never have any problem keeping the pH up. Always at or around 8.4 It's been there for 15 months or so. Alk hangs around 110. I have considered adding some gypsum to raise the calcium and may do that the next time we get heavy rain events, when the water gets a little cloudy.

Tracy

PS, ewest has always been there with loads of information, which is always helpful. Thumbs Up