Early Spring. We have had a mild winter and an early thaw. We aren't used to this, but the weather is now pretty average for April.

• Early Spring is a dangerous time for fish. Parasites and unfriendly bacteria are active at 50 degrees F. while the fish don't have an immune system until 60 degrees.
  
  
• When in doubt, do not feed. They can't digest anything until the water temperature will be reliably above 55 degrees EVEN AT NIGHT for THREE DAYS AFTER YOU FEED. If your pond is covered you may have been able to feed for a week or two. If not, don't feed until you can meet the temperature requirements. If the food cannot move through their bodies, it will ferment and kill the fish. Remember their cold-blooded metabolism.
  
  
• When you feed, do so very lightly with an easily digestible spring/fall food. Cheerios will do. Too much food will also lead to poor water quality. Most folks don't have any biofiltration except for blanketweed at this time of year. Your filters can't handle it.
  
  
• Watch (and sniff - phew) for spawning activity. Look over the participants for scrapes and lifted scales that might need attention. Also, they eat most of the eggs, so don't feed for a couple of days afterward. You'll want to do a water change too, to get rid of all that ammonia and to de-stink your yard.
  
  
• Consider culling. Pond full of last year's babies? Big fish getting bigger? Did you have trouble with water quality last fall? Lower your population to allow for this year's growth. The Spring Used Fish and Gadgetry Auction is May 20. Also, if you are planning to compete at the Koi Show in July, you will want to cull heavily to reserve your resouces for the show fish.
  
  
• Now's the time to cut down winter grasses so new growth will have light and air. If you have large plant pots covered with plastic, remove it now so your awakening frogs and toads can escape. Deadhead bulbs - they won't bloom well next year if you let them set seed. Prune roses and clematis. It's still too early for annuals.


• Pond construction this year? Call 811, the hotline for JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators). Call no more than two weeks, but at least 48 hours, before you begin digging (not including weekends and holidays). Utilities will then mark their underground pipes, wires and cables with stakes, flags or paint.