So, what have you been pondering during this wintery month of February? Did you keep track of Puxatony Phil, that official groundhog out in Pennsylvania whose relationship with his shadow annually determines how many more weeks of winter we'll have the rest of the year? Or are Lincoln's birthday (the 12th) or Valentine's Day (the 14th) more your cup of tea?
Do you become more and more aware of the longer days and the shorter nights that are naturally part and parcel of this often cold and snowy month? Or like many of us here, do you just focus on the fact that February is always the shortest month of the year. Yes, even when its leap year it's the shortest month, and at the end of it we'll be that much closer to spring, right?
February Is Passive And a Great Month to Plan For most water Gardening enthusiasts, February is still a passive month in which pondering is still an inside sport to be pursued for a few more weeks. But while you're passively pondering your way from winter into spring, it's a great time to be planning any changes you'd like to make in and around your pond. For some that means new plants with new shapes, color and aromas. For others it's adding an IonGen, LED Lights or just adding to their fish population, which in turn adds new life and new color to their aquatic paradise. And for others it means enlarging the pond, or adding another waterfall and stream.
Doing It Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
But none of this happens without laying a little groundwork first. This is to say, none of it happens without planning. And the first bridge that most of us cross when going from winter into spring is the "old" annual cleanout. A cleanout is not always necessary for all ponds every year, but if debris has collected from the falling leaves or the blowing sticks and branches, it's probably a good idea to start the year off fresh, with a good spring cleanout that will give your fish and plants the best environment possible. After all, the pond is their home.
And if you're thinking that a spring cleanout should be on your to-do list, then your first decision is to figure out whether you want to do it yourself or hire a pro to get the job done right. Now from our "for what it's worth" department, cleaning out a pond is never fun. I know plenty of people who love the process of building a pond. And I know plenty who consider pond maintenance no big deal.
Nobody Enjoys Spring Cleanout
But speaking for all the water garden lovers I've known, I've never meet one who doesn't hold his nose when it comes to spring cleanout. And this is true for good reason. Pond cleanouts literally stink...they smell bad. Not only that, but if you don't have the proper tools, a job that pros can do in 90 minutes will take you all day and part of the night. After that, you'll be up with the heating pad on your back because you spent most of your day doing something your not use to doing - cleaning out a pond.
The long and short of this spring cleanout commentary is that I suggest you let the pros clean your pond out this spring. And if you agree, the next step is to give 'em a call and get your name on the calendar. This will allow you to jump into the season safely and easily, without any hassle from anyone. Yep, hiring it done is just plain smart.
Happy Pondering!!!
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