Cleaning the Pond

The pond was a mess.  After the long winter and recent 80 mph winds, it was full of pine needles, pieces of paper and a bunch of plastic plant pots.  I had not deep-cleaned it for about 5 years, so the bottom was covered with smelly black gunk and reed roots.

I pumped out as much water as possible, took off my jeans and plunged into the muck up to my knees.  After doing basic cleaning, a heroic battle ensued with the hydra roots of the water lilly.  From a tiny pot, it had grown to a 3 ft square slimy mass weighing 50 lb or more.  Sword in hand, I chopped it down to a mere 30 lb solid block and refilled with clean clear water.


The pictures are from fall and early spring last year.