Solution to those annoying leaves!!

[LuvKoi]

I wanted to share a great solution for limiting the amount of leaves falling into the pond. After years of spending ungodly amounts of money on netting which would always fail, I took a chance on these plastic grids. I found they don't only deter herons but they provide a great barrier for leaves as well. Very simple to assemble by connecting the plastic hooks to one another for the desired pattern and most importantly they DO NOT sink I opted to anchor mine with fishing line to avoid the grids floating and becoming stuck around my pond plants. I've found while using this barrier to be the most convenient way for removing leaves, just scoop out the leaves and the grids float right back to their original spot.

I'm sure you can tell what I will be doing today based on my photo

 

[combatwombat]

Cool. Where did you get them? How big is each one? How did you anchor them below water level with fishing line? What is keeping them submerged?

 

[bagsmom]

I got mine from Amazon - but I didn't stop to think about them as a leaf barrier. Good idea!

 

[YShahar]

I bought a package of those on Amazon a while back, as a potential kingfisher defense system. I've never used them, but it's good to know they work!

@combatwombat , they're supposed to have the same density as water and thus float just below the surface. One of the Amazon reviews complained that they sink a bit too easily, but that the problem could be solved by putting a bit of bubblewrap underneath the devices.

 

[LuvKoi]

@combatwombat

I purchased 2 sets from Amazon for around 25 bucks each. They are good size about 12 inch by 10.5. One of the photos shows the plastic hooks for assembling. I really didn't need two sets after all but I'm glad I have extra. For reference my ponds area is 13 feet by 13. I tied off a couple of places with fishing line while keeping it at water level, if you anchor too far above the water level the grids may start stacking on one another. Although they may look fully submerged they are actually floating.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Interesting. But don't they sort of get in the way when you're scooping? I am envisioning my net getting caught on them...

 

[LuvKoi]

I bought a package of those on Amazon a while back, as a potential kingfisher defense system. I've never used them, but it's good to know they work!

@combatwombat , they're supposed to have the same density as water and thus float just below the surface. One of the Amazon reviews complained that they sink a bit too easily, but that the problem could be solved by putting a bit of bubblewrap underneath the devices.

@combatwombat

I've read reviews with similar complaints about sinking and my experience with these have been the complete opposite. I really think it's how you position
and anchor them

 

[LuvKoi]

Interesting. But don't they sort of get in the way when you're scooping? I am envisioning my net getting caught on them...

@BKHpondcritters

They can indeed get in the way while accessing the bottom. Although these grids catch most of the leaves there are still some smaller ones that falls through. I've found using a long handle grabber helpful for accessing any debris especially around my pumps.

I've also picked up sections of the barrier above the water for a better reach and have placed them back without any issues.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Yeah, I have two different grabbers (3' & 6' long) as well as an assortment of net types. No leaf can escape from ME! Bwahahahaha!

 

[Souper09]

@BKHpondcritters

They can indeed get in the way while accessing the bottom. Although these grids catch most of the leaves there are still some smaller ones that falls through. I've found using a long handle grabber helpful for accessing any debris especially around my pumps. View attachment 154970


I've also picked up sections of the barrier above the water for a better reach and have placed them back without any issues.

That’s my weapon of choice, great grabber.

 

[combatwombat]

@LuvKoi: Thanks. Looks like a great solution.

 

[Mmathis]

I tried them once. They didn’t do anything for me, and I couldn’t afford enough of them to cover the entire pond. I wish I could recall exactly what I didn’t like about them, but it’s been at least 10 years.

 

[Lisak1]

I do love reading all the creative solutions! Netting the pond (In the traditional way) to me never made sense. We had it done last year for the first time (accidentally - long story) and my suspicions were confirmed. Net caught the leaves alright, but then the combined weight of the leaves and the smallest amount of snow just drooped the whole mess into the pond for the entire winter. Dragging that out in the spring was a two person task. It was also aesthetically very unappealing. We enjoy our pond view all winter long - looking out at a droopy net and a bunch of PVC poles holding it up was rather depressing. We don't even get an inordinate amount of leaves in our pond - I feel for those of you who do!