Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization water temperature

Hey guys

My 3 acre pond in Arkansas is on it's second year now. The bass are about 13" and the bluegills about 6". Put 13 tons of lime in the pond last summer to get the alkalinity to 65 and the ph to 7.2. I have Talipa ordered for May. Now it is almost time to fertilize. What should the water temp be to start? I know about the 18" & 24" visibility.

thanks guys
Larry

Still too early. water temps should be constantly 60 or 65 deg. Id say wait till the end of march at least maybe mid april.

Managing

MISSISSIPPI

Farm Ponds &

Small Lakes

http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p1428.pdf



When To Apply Fertilizer

Begin fertilization in late winter

or early spring, but definitely by

the time water temperatures have

stabilized at 60 °F or higher. Usually

this temperature occurs

around March 15 in south Mississippi

and April 1 in central and

north Mississippi. Early fertilization

will shade the pond bottom

and help control filamentous

algae, a common problem in Mississippi

ponds in spring.

Make the first three applications

of fertilizer two weeks

apart; then apply whenever you

can see your hand clearly with

your arm under water at elbow

depth. By fertilizing only when

water is clear at18 to 24 inches,

you will fertilize the pond at approximate

3- to 5-week intervals

from spring through September.

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I usually wait later than that time and start slowly when it hits 60F.

The water temperature on Lake Dardanelle was in the upper 40's as of this past friday so you have at least a few more weeks.

Ponds will warm much faster than a big lake like Dardanelle.

water temp at DeGray last Friday was 51 - 52 depending on where you were

how long should I expect the lime green covering to last before it clears?