Alan Titchmarsh explains why your pond looks like ‘pea soup’ and how to breathe new life into it

ALAN Titchmarsh has revealed how to make your filthy, green pond look fantastic, without too much effort.

According to this gardening pro, if your pond looked like “pea soup” this summer, you can breathe new life into it this fall with a few simple steps.

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Alan Titchmarsh (75) gave his advice during a tea break tutorial on pond care on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast. He explained why you should have a pond in your garden if you don’t already have one.

He explains: “The great thing about ponds in gardens is that they add so much to the party.

“Reflection, they bring the air down to the ground and light comes into the garden, unless of course the lamp shines downwards. If it does, movement is created on the surface.

“It’s a lovely way to pass the time watching raindrops fall on a pond. I love doing it. I sit and do it when I’m writing my pieces for Gardeners’ World magazine, looking out of a window with a wildlife pond next to it. I can’t tell you how much time I waste watching what’s happening.

“You encourage wildlife. It’s really worth having one.”

The horticultural expert and presenter revealed the reason why ponds often change colour in summer.

He continued: “The easiest ponds to look after are the larger ones. If a pond is very small, it will heat up like a pan of water in the summer and then it will turn green and look like pea soup.

“So if you make your pond as large as possible, you get a body of water that doesn’t heat up as quickly as a small, shallow pond.

“And if you have a gradual edge, that means that amphibians – frogs, toads and salamanders – can safely get in and out to drink, without falling in and not being able to get out.

“From winter onwards, when the plants along the edge have died, it is time to clean up the pond.

“Don’t be too neat around the edge of your pond. Frogs and toads often come out of the water and look for a cozy spot to dig a bit. So be careful what you remove.

“When spring comes, that’s when, especially with new ponds, things tend to warm up and the water can turn green.”

Garden tips and tricks

Alan explained which plant to plant to prevent your pond from turning an ugly green color.

He advised: “The key is to make sure you have plenty of submerged oxygenating plants, not just Canadian waterweed which is very rampant. It’s good, but it’s rampant, so thin it out a bit if you have too much of it.

“It ensures that there is enough oxygen in the water, which is not only good for the aquatic animals, but also good for keeping the water clear.”

Take a pond. You will find that pond maintenance is easier than you think.

Alan Titchmarsh

Furthermore, Alan pointed out why a net could be the solution to keep your pond looking fresh. He emphasized: “Then of course comes autumn, and then the leaves fall.

“That’s why it’s important to locate a pond away from overhanging tree branches. They float on the surface and sink to the bottom, which promotes a build-up of silt.

Garden work in September

As September begins, so does autumn. Veronica Lorraine, gardening editor at The Sun, has a few jobs to keep you busy as the summer sun fades.

1. Start thinking about spring bulbs

It’s early bulb season! As well as the more traditional daffodils, crocuses, alliums and bluebells, try snake-head fragillaries for something a little different.

2. Think of the bees

Be sure to continue to feed the bees with fall-flowering pollinators such as stonecrop, honeysuckle and asters.

3. Dig and enjoy your potatoes

The potatoes from the main crop are ready to be harvested. Make sure you harvest them all so they are not damaged by slugs.

4. Change your lawn mowing schedule

Raise the height of your lawn mower and start reducing the amount of mowing you do. Fertilize it in the fall, especially if you didn’t get around to it over the summer, and start raking to remove thatch.

5. Plant new perennials while the soil is still warm.

6. Take cuttings of salvia

It is as easy as cutting a shoot tip above a node and throwing it in a glass of water to see if roots develop. Especially with delicate Salvias that do not survive the winter.

7. Give camellias enough water so that buds will form again next year.

8. Keep removing faded flowers and watering your hanging baskets

They must continue until the first frost.

9. Make pumpkins Halloween-ready

Remove any leaves that are covering the pumpkins so they are ready for Halloween. Also make sure to water them regularly as they are very thirsty.

10. Check your pond

Cover your pond with a net to prevent it from filling up with fallen leaves when the trees start to fall.

“If it’s a small pond, you can put a net over it in the fall to catch the leaves. But generally speaking, if it’s a large pond, it can handle the amount of leaves that fall into it and you don’t need to worry too much.

“The most important thing is that you have a self-sustaining pond with a wide variety of plants so that you have a season full of blooms and lots of wildlife that would otherwise never come near your garden.”

If you are thinking of adding a pond to your garden, Alan advised: “Get a pond. You will find that pond maintenance is easier than you think.

“If you manage a pond properly, you will find that it doesn’t require much work.”