Water Gardens - Stocking Your Pond

Finding the perfect balance for ponds, plants and fish.

Ultimately, we all want to have an environmentally balanced pond - one that through the interaction with nature creates a clear attractive environment. Adding plants and fish to your pond will help you achieve this goal. Also, keep in mind that the larger the pond the easier it is to balance because the water temperature does not vary as much over a twenty-four hour period. However, crystal clear ponds are not necessarily healthy.

Plants and fish each have their own tasks to create this balance. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Fish use that oxygen and also produce waste, which is turned into fertilizer for the plants. Most plants require sunlight for best performance, as do algae. Some plants provide shade on the water's surface to discourage the growth of algae. Plants also assist the pond by absorbing heavy metals and other common pollutants.

Water lilies:
    These beauties add color and a feeling of serenity to a water garden. Lily foliage provides shade, which helps to control algae and also creates a retreat for fish. Hardy varieties do best in a sunny location with still water where they are given ample space. Flowers of hardy water lilies are open during the day and closed at night. These varieties are best grown in a planting container, in a heavy clay or aquatic soil, and submerged to a depth of 18" or more. In our climate, they will winter-over without difficulty. For the winter, cut off the dead leaves and stalks, leaving 2'-3' at the base of the plant.

Marginal plants:
    Marginal varieties are grouped into three planting depth zones: at the water's edge; submerged up to 4"; and submerged 8"-16". Most varieties require sun but a few will tolerate some shade. For the winter, trim dead leaves and plant material to just above water level and place the pot in the deepest section of your pond. Place plant back up to its normal planting depth when spring arrives.

Floating plants:
    These are a great addition to your pond. These plants are aggressive spreaders, providing shade for fish. If you are short on filtration, they make great filters in the flow of water (i.e. waterfall), and they discourage algae growth. These plants are annuals and are not usually kept from year to year.

Oxygenators:
    This type of aquatic plant does best submerged to a depth of 12"-24" or more. These versatile plants can be either potted in sand or gravel, or can be dropped to the bottom of the pond with the use of a lead weight.

Fish:
    Add to the excitement of your pond! Normally, ponds are stocked with goldfish or koi. For koi, provide at least 24" of depth and at least 300 gallons of water. Fish control mosquitoes by eating larvae and make great pets. They will even eat from your hand if trained to!

Snails and Tadpoles:
    These guys perform useful functions in the water garden. Snails eat decaying vegetation and algae. Tadpoles eat algae, and also turn into frogs!
 

Pond Stocking Guide

• Floating Foliage: Cover 60% of the pond surface.

• Water lilies and floating plants. Oxygenating Plants: Three bunches per five square feet of surface area.

• Fish: No more than one inch of fish per sq. ft. of pond surface. More with added filtration.

• Snails and Tadpoles: As many as you wish; you can never have too many!
  
  *NOTE: These stocking factors are suggested. However, the larger the pond, the less applicable they are.

Additional information on water gardening:

Stocking Your Pond

Principles of Healthy Pond Water

Water Lily Care

Fish Care