Winterize Your Garden Water Feature
October 6, 2015 | By webadmin
Water fountains add beauty and soothing sounds to the garden. Water features and fountains can help create a more relaxing outdoor space for you to enjoy. They also encourage beneficial wildlife to visit your garden. But just as your garden will need tending, water features need a bit of TLC as the seasons change.
To keep your water looking good and working properly, it will need to be cleaned regularly. Prepping it for a winter freeze will increase its longevity. Here are some tips for getting your water feature ready for the cooler temperatures.
We created this unique bubbler fountain as a soothing focal point in a rustic landscape we designed in University Park. (also link photo)
Here are some tips to keep your water feature beautiful and functional:
Clean the pump monthly. Wipe down the outside and the inside cover with a cloth; then use a toothbrush to clean out the hard-to-reach areas. When pumps get dirty the entire system can get clogged and stop running properly. The pump will also last much longer if you keep it clean.
Algae-free fountains are maintained with a few drops of algaecide added to the water each month. While a little algae isn’t harmful, it can discolor your fountain or container vessel, making it less attractive. Water features in sunny spots will tend to grow more algae.
Is there a white residue in your fountain? This is a calcium build up called white scale. It forms due to hard water running through the fountain. Remove the build up by rubbing it off gently with a cloth and white vinegar. If you have regular build-up, add a product that controls white scale in fountains.
Winterize your water feature. The weather service says a freeze is coming. How do you protect your fountain? Preparing your fountain will keep it from potentially cracking and keep your pump in working order after a freeze:
- Drain your fountain completely. Water left in a fountain through a freeze can freeze. When water freezes it expands. The frozen water in your fountain can then cause cracks in the vessel.
- Unplug the pump and store indoors. If you have a small bubbler fountain or water feature, it’s safest to store it in the garage over the winter to keep it from cracking. This is also a good time to thoroughly clean the pump so it’s ready to go in spring.
- Cover the fountain. If you have a larger fountain or vessel that can’t be moved, Use a fountain cover, freeze cloth from your local garden center or sheets during a hard freeze.
A good time to reset and refill your fountain for spring is after the last frost, which typically occurs mid-March to late-March in Dallas.
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