insideKENT Magazine Issue 34 - January 2015 | Page 115

PONDS General maintenance Monitor the water level of your pond as hard frosts can cause defects in the liner and in concrete structures. If the water level drops considerably, then it may have developed a leak. Be sure to keep it topped up until repairs can be carried out in the spring. Rake out fallen leaves or shake off those that have gathered on protective netting. Troubleshooting If necessary, use pond heaters or place floats on the surface of the water to keep it from freezing over, as this can be fatal for fish and other pond life. To make a hole in frozen ponds, hold a saucepan of hot water on the surface until melted through. Do not crack the ice, as this is harmful to fish. The RHS is a UK charity established to share the best in gardening. Its work is driven by a simple love of plants and the belief that gardeners make the world a better place. For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk. 115