A step-by-step guide to covering your pond to keep out fall leaves and predators
Netting can be a helpful tool for many ponds, whether you need temporary protection from falling leaves or a more permanent structure to keep out nuisance predators. Below, we’ll discuss some best practices for installing a sturdy, nature-friendly net that will stand up to the elements.
(Need some help? Contact our service team to do the job for you.)
Do I Need to Install a Net Over My Pond?
Pond owners typically install netting for one of two reasons: to keep out leaves or to keep out predators.
If you’re worried about fall leaves …
Pond netting works extremely well for keeping water clean in the fall, but not everyone needs it.
If you don’t have messy trees, and you have a quality skimmer that you don’t mind emptying a little more frequently, you probably don’t need a leaf net. But if you don’t have a skimmer, or your pond sit under lots of deciduous trees, then a leaf net is a good investment.
The key is to avoid letting lots of leaves build up on the bottom of the pond. A couple leaves here and there are OK, but a thick layer of them will make your water sludgy and increase ammonia levels – which could potentially hurt fish.
Bottom line: If you think you can keep the pond clean, then don’t worry about a net. But if you don’t think you’ll be able to keep up, then installing netting could save you a lot of headaches (and make for an easier startup come springtime).
If you’re worried about predators …
If you’re thinking about installing a net for predator control, we recommend trying other deterrents first. A net will obscure your view of those fish that you’re working so hard to protect. (It also won’t deter mink, which can quickly empty out an entire pond).
For us, netting is a last resort for dealing with predators. It can help in some situations, but we don’t love keeping it up year-round if we can avoid it. Aside from obstructing your view, even the most thoughtfully constructed net risks collapse under heavy snow.
Our Recommended Approach to Pond Netting
After more than 35 years of installing pond netting, we’ve picked up a few tricks to maximize performance and appearance.
Step 1: Cut Back Pond Plants
How much maintenance you perform on your plants before winter is completely up to you and your preferences.
Hardy plants like cattails, horsetail, irsies, rushes, etc. will all survive the winter planted in your pond. When installing netting, you’ll need to at least cut back any plants that would interfere with the net. For a neat look, you can cut them back to a couple inches above the water, or you can keep them taller to provide winter interest.
Any tropical plants should be removed before installing netting. Some people are able to keep tropicals alive indoors through the winter, but most of our pond owners choose to compost them at the end of the season and replace them with fresh ones in spring.
If you’re not sure if your plant is hardy or tropical, text us a (clear) photo, and we’ll try our best to help! You can also check out our plant library: https://splashplants.com/pond-plant-library/
Step 2: Install the Frame
We like to install our nets over a simple dome-shaped frame made of PVC conduit. The convex shape will ensure the leaves roll off the top, as opposed to gathering in the middle and weighing down the net.
Conduit is available at most hardware stores. Measure the length and width of your pond. You’ll want to make sure the tubing is long enough to create a frame that extends about 2 to 4 feet above the middle of the pond. The dome should have enough of a slope to encourage leaves and snows to roll off instead of piling up in the middle. The conduit should also be long enough that you can anchor it at least 8 to 12 inches from the pond’s edge so as to avoid puncturing liner. Larger ponds may require additional supports placed inside the pond to support the net.
After figuring out the right length, use a hacksaw to angle the edges of the conduit so they can be staked into the ground. (Again, MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT PUNCTURING LINER). For most ponds, you’ll want to place one piece of pipe across the length of the pond, then several perpendicular pieces horizontally as needed to support the net (like a ribcage). Use zip ties to secure the vertical and horizontal pipes.
Step 3: Install the Nature-Safe Net
Stretch your netting (available at Splash) across the frame and secure it with zip ties. Make sure it’s tight enough that leaves bounce off instead of sagging in the middle.
Leave a space along the bottom of the netting to feed fish and allow frogs to escape.
You may also want to cut a small circle higher up on the net to provide an escape for small birds that make their way into the pond. Use vinyl tubing or similar material to secure the edges of the hole, as pictured below:
