Story: Autumn Tips for Water Gardening
Episode: 9
Presenter: Calinda Anderson
Air Date: 24 April 2021

As the weather cools down, there’s plenty you can do to help your water garden, pond or aquaponics system remain productive and looking lovely throughout autumn.

• Hardy water lilies will start to decline in growth and vigour. If they were already lacking in growth or flowering over summer, then you may need to repot them.
• Tropical water lilies should still be flowering. If not, fertilise them with 2-3 slow-release water plant pellets per plant.
• String or blanket algae will start to grow more rapidly, so be ready to pull it out by hand, or reduce the amount of food you’re giving your fish and let them eat it.
• Add natural bacteria, like Splosht, to the water or sprinkle through some Zeolite Sand. This will absorb ammonia, which is algae food.
• Trim and fertilise your summer growing edible water plants with slow-release water plant pellets. This will ensure they come back stronger in spring and summer.
• Water chestnut should be harvested. The stems will have died off, and the corms will have formed.
• Remove summer growing vegetables from your aquaponics system, and replant in-season vegetables.
• Barramundi will start to slow in growth, so you need to consider moving them to warmer water or harvesting them if they’re big enough.
• Autumn is a great time to set up a frog pond. Position it in a semi-shaded position with a thick layer of fine gravel on the base and add as many water plants as you can.