- Cleaning removes decaying debris at the bottom of the pond and provides a chance for repairs, propagation and planting.

- The time to do this is in late spring, a good time to split plants. For wildlife ponds pond cleaning can be damaging, but less so in autumn or late winter.

- Try to plan the operation so that it can be completed in one day if possible, as this is less stressful to fish.

The first task should be to prepare a holding tank in a shady spot for fish and deep water plants. Marginals will survive out of the pond as long as they are kept moist and shaded. Use some pond water in the holding tank unless cloudy.

Draining the pond using a pump is easiest (hired if necessary). Start removing fish as the water level falls and they become less active and more visible.

Remove plants as the water level lowers, to the holding areas.

Remove decaying plant material and heap it up beside the pool for later removal. This will allow any hidden creatures to return to the pool. Remove larger creatures to the holding tank.

Remove the silt in the base, spreading it on neighbouring borders. Keep back some of the silt to add to the clean pond to re-establish microscopic life.

Clean the liner and make any necessary repairs.

Return the saved silt and any pond water. Refill with water and replant in stages. Re-pot or divide plants before returning them to the pond, where this is necessary. Examine fish before returning them to the pond.

Finally return marginals before completely refilling.