Ponds will turn green and slimy in spring if you don't do this one thing now

Ponds can become quite the haven for slushy mess in the midst of winter's frosts, strong winds and rain - but keeping on top of it could save a big job in April.

Gardeners risk creating a mammoth task for themselves come spring - and that's if they don't clear the debris from their ponds immediately. Autumn and the last of the leaves falling from the trees means they are likely to end up in your prized water feature. But rotting leaves after several months bring a layer of slurry to a garden pond which stagnate and begin to smell.

The leaves which have already rotted will infiltrate the water with nitrates. These can enrich the pond water, but garden aficionados say they can also destabilise the pool's natural balance. In turn, this can make algae a likelihood and mean the chance of you having a green pond in the spring is greater.

The Sunday Gardener says: "If leaves are a problem for your pond, skim them off. Similarly, cut off any decaying vegetation which may die back at this time of year. It is the process of decomposition from either leaves or plants, which raises the nitrate level and reduces the oxygen, which is also not ideal if you have fish in the pond."

Creating a pond which attracts wildlife has been championed by gardening expert Monty Don. He suggests using a range of plants for all the seasons. The idea is that it will attract insects at all times of year.

In addition to attracting insects which will draw birds to your garden, he says different depths of water should have different types of growth. And some new plants dragonflies like to climb up. But he also suggested plants which provide horizontal cover for other creatures such as newts and amphibians,

More oxygen can be added to a pond by submerged oxygenators beneath the water, This adds more oxygen and keeps other unwelcome nutrients away from the pond. It will also keep the water free from greenwater and algae growth.

Lillies such as waterlily can be added and their growth encouraged across the water surface. The expert gardener said some Native plants were too vigorous for small ponds. He also suggested native British plants or other non-Native plants which have a smaller growth habit.

Other garden experts have recommended a small white waterlily such as Nymphaea Marliacaea Albida instead of Nymphaea alba which is a large native waterlily. Diarmuid Gavin suggested plants are essential in the pond to create a balanced ecosystem and keep the water healthy. Firstly, he said, you need plants that provide surface cover with big leaves – this discourages algae and keeps water clear and also provides cover for fish.

He said: "You are aiming to cover about half the surface of your pond with these. First choice and my favourite of all is the water lily – it has large circular leaves and, of course, the most exquisite flowers. The most popular variety here are Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Albida’ – pure white wide fragrant blooms – and Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Carnea’ with pale pink fragrant blooms and golden stamens."