REMOVE DEAD LILY LEAVES FROM PONDS

LILY cover in ponds is crucial for sustaining a healthy nutrient balance and to prevent excessive algae. However, by this stage in summer a number of floating leaves will have begun to die. It is important to remove and compost these. If the waterlilies are growing in baskets, take care not to shift them as you work. A sharp knife may be needed to sever stalks. However, if you give each stem a sharp tug, it’s often possible to snap it low down on the plant without disturbing the roots. Marginal vegetation may also be decaying. Clean it up with care as there may be amphibians among the denser plants. And oxygenating weed can become very thick, too, choking a late-summer pond. Thin it out by removing it in handfuls, but be sure to leave plenty in the water as it’s important for sustaining a balanced pond.