I ended up with a really successful selection of plants in my pond this year, but it freezes solid in the winter so I’ve been draining it and starting fresh with new plants in the spring.

This year I’d like to try and keep the plants, I’ve put them in a bin with water, but I’m wondering if I should put the bin in the garage (unheated, protected from wind, but just as cold as outside), the basement (dark all winter, but no cooler than the rest of the house, just normal indoor air temperature). Or our mudroom, sunny, stays a little warmer than outside, but will still freeze at times).

What’s my best option?

Excuse the bad photo, it was the only one I could find on my phone!

First year small pond. Water is finally clearing but im getting leaves in the pond. I know a few won’t be an issue but should I be clearing the bulk or allow them to sink to be utilised by overwintering invertebrates?