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While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:

• River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. 

• These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. 

• River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. 

• Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.

Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.

Every one to three months, you should perform regular fountain maintenance, including draining, cleaning, and rinsing the components of your fountain basin and the pump and tubing to prevent algae and other buildup. Fountain maintenance also includes keeping the appropriate water level and removing debris like leaves, insects, and twigs from the water to avoid clogging the pump. You can also hire a professional landscaper to clean your fountain for around $50 to $150 per month on average.

Even if you empty your pond before the winter, there’s a good chance it will refill naturally. It’s ideal in most cases, then, to leave water in your pond and winterize it instead. This method will prevent ice damage and protect wildlife. Plus, it’ll lessen the steps required to reopen your pond in the spring.

You have several options for your pond by getting your yard ready for the winter. You can winterize your koi pond by ensuring it’s at least 5 feet deep so it doesn’t freeze completely, installing a pond heater or aerator and having it run at all times, and installing a deicer if temperatures are dangerously low for an extended period. You can also choose to shut down your pond for the winter by removing all the wildlife in it and bringing it indoors, cleaning out the filter and pump, and then covering the pond with a tarp.