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Spring is a critical time of year for pond fish. Help them come out of dormancy by feeding them the proper diet and keeping the water garden clean.

Spring is arguably one of the trickiest times of year for garden pond owners. The season brings the welcome return of warmer days and longer hours of sunlight, encouraging home gardeners to get out there and enjoy the outdoors. However, temperatures still fluctuate and can be rather unpredictable – blurring the clear distinction between “winter” and “spring.” Straying from best pond practices can allow Mother Nature’s erratic behavior to cause a range of problems on fish health.

Because pond fish are cold-blooded, the water temperature basically controls their metabolism and activity level. This is precisely why feeding fish according to the water temperature is so critical. Following a seasonal feeding cycle will eliminate any guesswork and keep fish in good health and condition.

To transition your pond fish from winter dormancy, feed them a wheat germ diet once or twice a day, when water temperatures are at 39-50 degrees F. Wheat germ is highly digestible (resulting in little waste). This is especially important because in the colder months, fishes’ metabolism and the pond’s ammonia-reducing biological activity are greatly diminished. Once the water is above 50 degrees F, you can feed your fish a higher protein staple diet.