Whilst cleaning the snow off my shrubs from the back wall, I noticed for the first time my pond has completely frozen over under all the footballs I placed in the water, I know it supports a number of frogs and toads in the summer but I am concerned they may be under the ice, what shall I do?
Ponds are a real worry this time of year especially when we are having a prolonged hard winter. If the entire top of the pond is frozen but it is a very deep pond you should be ok, as the oxygenating plants should give enough oxygen for the fish and other life, do try to melt a little ice at the side of the pond and try to melt the ice under the football as it will be a little thinner there, so frogs and toads can have an air hole when they climb to the surface. If your pond is small and shallow, try to melt the ice with cold water and place a football on top of the surface and cover with horticultural fleece to protect from prolonged cold. Keep checking your ponds and ensure there is always an air hole for the wildlife.
Enjoy
Jobs in the Gardener’s Calendar
Order seeds
Defrost birdbaths and top up with clean water
Sow peas, beans, winter cabbage, ruby chard in pots
Grit paths
