Wildlife – Platinum Ponds & Landscaping https://miponds.com Create Your Own Backyard Paradise Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:44:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://miponds.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-touch-icon-180x180-1-150x150.png Wildlife – Platinum Ponds & Landscaping https://miponds.com 32 32 Koi Fish Through Michigan Winter https://miponds.com/koi-fish-through-michigan-winter/ Fri, 01 Nov 2024 01:54:43 +0000 http://miponds.com/?p=33104 As winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, koi fish naturally begin to prepare for the colder months. If you’re a koi owner, you may wonder what happens to your colorful koi fish as ice forms over the pond and the water grows chilly. The good news is that koi are resilient creatures, adapted to […]

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]]> As winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, koi fish naturally begin to prepare for the colder months. If you’re a koi owner, you may wonder what happens to your colorful koi fish as ice forms over the pond and the water grows chilly. The good news is that koi are resilient creatures, adapted to survive the winter with some simple preparations to keep them comfortable and healthy. Here’s what you can expect as your koi fish settle into winter and tips to help them thrive until spring.

Healthy Koi Fish

 

1. Koi Fish Enter a State of Torpor

In response to the dropping water temperature, koi fish enter a semi-dormant state called torpor. Unlike hibernation, which involves a complete shutdown, torpor allows koi to slow down their metabolism and conserve energy. As the water cools below 50°F (10°C), their activity level decreases significantly, and they start moving very little. You’ll notice they may hover near the bottom of the pond, where the water remains slightly warmer, and become less responsive to movement and sounds above the surface.

 

2. Digestive and Metabolic Slowdown

As koi enter torpor, their digestive and metabolic processes slow down dramatically. This is why it’s important to stop feeding your koi once the water temperature consistently drops below 50°F. Koi can’t properly digest food at low temperatures, and leftover food can rot, leading to poor water quality. The natural fat stores they’ve built up during the warmer months provide the necessary energy to sustain them through winter without additional feeding.

 

3. The Importance of Oxygen Levels

Even though koi fish aren’t as active during winter, they still need access to fresh oxygen. As ice forms over the pond’s surface, oxygen levels can decrease, especially in deep snow-covered ponds that receive less sunlight. To prevent low oxygen levels, consider using a pond de-icer and an aerator to keep a small hole in the ice. This combination allows harmful gases to escape the pond and keeps the water oxygenated, providing a safe environment for your koi fish.

Winter Waterfall

4. Temperature and Depth Matter

The depth of your pond plays a crucial role in your koi fish chance of winter survival. A pond that’s at least two feet deep allows for a warm layer of water at the bottom, where koi can rest safely as the water near the surface freezes. Be sure not to disturb this deep area of the pond after your koi have started torpor. Disturbing this warmer layer of water can shock your koi when cooler water mixes into it .  In shallow ponds, the temperature can drop too low, endangering your koi. If your pond isn’t deep enough, you may need to consider moving your koi indoors to a temporary winter setup or adding a pond heater to maintain a stable temperature.

 

5. Maintaining Water Quality During Winter

While your koi are mostly inactive, keeping the pond’s water quality high is still important. A buildup of waste and decaying plant matter can introduce toxins into the water, even in winter. Before temperatures plummet, clean out any remaining debris that is floating or that has sunk to the bottom of your pond and trim back dead plants. A pond skimmer or filter can help remove excess organic matter. The weekly addition of cold water beneficial bacteria before the surface of your pond freezes will help to keep water quality crystal clear.  Since koi are highly sensitive to ammonia and other toxins, a clean pond helps prevent health issues that can arise during the dormant season.

Leaves On Koi Pond

6. Spring Transition: Waking Up from Winter

As spring approaches and water temperatures rise above 50°F, your koi will gradually come out of their torpor and become more active. During this transition, avoid feeding them immediately; instead, wait until the temperature stabilizes around 55°F. Starting with a wheat-germ-based food will gently ease their digestive systems back into regular activity. Monitoring water quality, gradually increasing food intake, and observing your koi for any signs of stress or disease are essential steps to ensure a healthy transition into the warmer months. Consider using this fish food by Aquascape that is specifically designed for cold water feeding.

 

Preparing Your Koi Fish Pond for Winter: Key Takeaways

Stop Feeding Below 50°F: Koi can’t digest food effectively in colder water, so stop feeding once temperatures consistently fall below this threshold.
Keep Oxygen Flowing: Use an aerator and de-icer to maintain an oxygen exchange hole in the ice.
Clean your Pond: Remove debris and trim plants to maintain good water quality.
Monitor Pond Depth and Temperature: Ensure your pond is at least two feet deep or consider adding a heater in shallower ponds.

 

 

By taking these simple steps, you can help your koi fish safely navigate the winter months and wake up strong and healthy when spring arrives. With the right care, your koi will thrive through the colder season and continue bringing color and joy to your pond year after year.

Contact us today to schedule an inspection and find out if your pond will be safe for your koi through the coldest times of the year.

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]]> How To Attract Wild Birds To Your Yard This Winter https://miponds.com/how-to-attract-wild-birds-to-your-yard-this-winter/ Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:00:56 +0000 http://miponds.com/?p=32480 Watching wild birds in your yard is an enjoyable activity any time of year, but this is especially true in winter when not much else is happening in your garden. Although some favorites, such as hummingbirds, migrate to warmer places in winter, many other species stick it out through the cold. There’s a few things […]

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]]> Watching wild birds in your yard is an enjoyable activity any time of year, but this is especially true in winter when not much else is happening in your garden. Although some favorites, such as hummingbirds, migrate to warmer places in winter, many other species stick it out through the cold. There’s a few things you can do to attract wild birds when the weather turns cold. Use these tips to attract and feed wild birds in your yard all winter long.  With minimal planning, your yard can become a prime spot for birds to fuel up and take refuge during these long, cold Michigan months

Winter Seed Pod
How to attract wild birds to your yard this winter 14

Leave Standing Plant Stems In Flower Beds

Perennial seeds are wildly popular with birds.  Plant sizable groupings of flowers to ensure there will be enough seeds to go around. Many perennial flowers produce seeds that provide nutrients for birds long into the winter. Leaving these seed pods standing will bring birds to your garden, foraging through the remaining plants.

Coneflowers and Coreopsis are some examples of perennials known to be loved by birds in the winter.

Keep An Ice-Free Source of Water

Having a clean source of water is critical for birds and is something that often gets overlooked during the winter. Winter is when water is scarcest, and when birds need it the most.

Don’t put your birdbath away for the winter, or let it freeze over. Instead, invest in a portable warming device or de-icer for your birdbath to prevent freezing.

Wild Birds At Birdfeeder
How to attract wild birds to your yard this winter 15

Offer Nourishing Foods

In winter, birds need more calories to stay warm and to travel around, so make sure to stock your feeders with foods that are rich in fats and oils. Supplement animals’ sparse winter diets with some simple offerings like pinecones smeared in nut butter, dried corn cobs, suet, and birdseed in a feeder or sprinkled on the ground.

Wild Birds In Evergreen Tree
How to attract wild birds to your yard this winter 16

Provide Shelter

Trees and shrubs, particularly evergreens, provide perches for birds to rest and shelter from rain, snow, wind, and predators. Alternatively, make a brush pile in an out-of-the-way spot in the yard with trimmed branches where birds can find shelter. Roosting boxes and birdhouses are another great way to provide safe places for birds to escape the elements.

Many plants can add beauty to your garden while also serving as a welcoming habitat for wild birds. Trees and shrubs that bear fruit into winter, such as hollies, viburnums, hawthorns, staghorn sumac, and wax myrtle, provide natural food sources for birds.

The key is to select a mix of plantings, shrubs and trees that offer birds the protection and food they need to survive.

Keep Feeders Protected

Locate your feeders in a spot that’s shielded from strong winds. Downwind of tall evergreen trees or in the shelter off a porch is ideal. It’s best to have some open space around feeders so birds can watch for danger, with perching spots nearby so they can easily cover from predators. Additionally,  keep feeders covered to protect the food from rain and snow.

 

Creating a backyard that welcomes wild birds doesn’t happen by accident — it starts with thoughtful landscape design. From strategic evergreen plantings and winter-interest shrubs to integrated water features and natural shelter areas, the right plan can turn your yard into a year-round haven for birds. At Platinum Ponds & Landscaping, we design landscapes that are not only beautiful, but also support local wildlife through every season. If you’d love to see more cardinals, finches, and chickadees visiting your property this winter, we’re here to help. Contact us today to start planning a bird-friendly landscape that brings life and movement to your outdoor space all year long.

 
 

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