The fish have all died so it was actually a good time to clean out the pond. It had not been done for a long time, maybe 12 years or more. So there was a LOT of gross sludge to clean out.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-1-683x1024.jpg)
Only so much could be pumped out, and then Doug scooped it out with a pail or by hand. At least 2 wheelbarrows full. Good stuff for a new garden bed though.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-8-1024x683.jpg)
All the lilies were thrown on the tarp. I had divided them a few years back, but they were really overgrown and big again.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-6-1024x683.jpg)
I cut off big chunks, and saved only five good pots. I had some fertilizer tabs so I pushed them into the soil too. The rest of the lilies went into the compost.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-12-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-3-1024x683.jpg)
Doug washed and scrubbed the liner.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-13-1024x683.jpg)
And then he proceeded to wash every stone, every single stone, scrubbing each one by hand. And placing them back on the ledge, one by one.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-2-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-7-1024x683.jpg)
Then cleaning the tarp.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-11-1024x683.jpg)
Placing the lilies back, and refilling the pond.
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-4-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://willowparkpatch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Pond-Cleanout-10-1024x683.jpg)
Now I just need to find some hyacinth and water lettuce, and some new fish!