Pond leaf scoop in Newton Abbot
Looking for professional pond leaf scoop help in Newton Abbot? Hembury Contracting provides reliable garden help services across Newton Abbot and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Newton Abbot
Autumn leaves scooped out of your pond before they sink and rot. Keeps water clear, fish healthy, and saves you hours with a pond net.
### Leaves + Ponds = Problems
Every autumn, trees drop leaves. Some of those land in your pond. **Once they sink and start rotting, you've got problems**: depleted oxygen, ammonia release, thick sludge, murky water, and potentially dead fish come spring.
Much easier to scoop them out while they're still floating.
Takes me 30-45 minutes, saves you from a disgusting pond-cleaning job in spring, and keeps your fish healthy over winter.
> 💡 **Pro tip:** If you've got koi or expensive fish, keeping leaves out is essential. They're much more sensitive to poor water quality than goldfish. A weekly scoop through autumn is cheap insurance for valuable fish.
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### Why Autumn Leaves Are Pond Killers
| What Happens | The Problem | |--------------|-------------| | **Leaves float** | Look messy, but not harmful yet | | **Leaves sink** | Now they're hard to remove | | **Leaves rot** | Releases ammonia and uses oxygen | | **Sludge forms** | Thick layer on bottom, terrible for fish | | **Spring arrives** | Murky water, sick fish, huge cleanup job |
**Or:** Scoop leaves out weekly through autumn, problem avoided.
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### What Gets Scooped
**🍂 Typical Pond Leaf Cleanup**
| Pond Size | Typical Time | You'll Pay | |-----------|--------------|------------| | Small pond (up to 2m) | 30 mins | **£60** | | Medium pond (2-4m) | 45 mins | **£60** | | Large pond or very leafy | 1+ hrs | **£60+** |
*Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Very leafy ponds or long-neglected ones might need longer.*
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### It's Not Just Surface Leaves
I'll scoop: - Floating leaves (easy ones) - Just-submerged leaves (still whole) - Debris around pond edges - Leaves trapped in plants
Won't scoop: - Leaves already turned to sludge (that's a pond clean job, much bigger) - Stuff that's been there for months (integrated into bottom now)
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### Perfect For Your Pond If...
✅ **Autumn leaf-fall happening** - keep on top of it weekly
✅ **Trees overhanging pond** - you get heavy leaf coverage
✅ **You've got fish** - especially koi or other sensitive species
✅ **You don't have a pond net** - manual scooping keeps it clear
Why Choose Us for Pond leaf scoop in Newton Abbot?
All floating and submerged leaves removed
Water quality improved for fish
Prevents sludge buildup over winter
Quick job that saves hours of work
What to Expect
### Step 1: Scoop Floating Leaves I'll use a pond net to skim all the floating leaves off the surface. This is the easy bit - get them before they sink. ### Step 2: Get Submerged Ones Leaves that have just sunk are still whole and scoop-able. I'll work around the edges and between plants to get as many as practical without disturbing the pond too much. ### Step 3: Edge Cleanup Clear any leaves trapped around marginal plants or caught in the pond edge. These are the ones that get missed but still rot into the water.
Our Newton Abbot Service Coverage
We cover Newton Abbot and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Newton Abbot or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
> 🐟 **Fish welfare:** In a well-balanced pond with good oxygenation, a few leaves won't kill fish. But in a small pond with lots of fish, especially koi, leaf-fall can be deadly. Don't gamble with expensive fish - keep the pond clear. **Prevention vs cleanup:** A properly fitted pond net (October-November) catches leaves before they hit the water. Needs clearing regularly but saves pond scooping. I can fit one - see my pond netting service. **Regular maintenance?** If you want your pond scooped weekly through autumn, I can set up a regular visit. Much cheaper than one huge cleanup in spring when it's turned to sludge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pond leaf scoop in Newton Abbot
Why do leaves need removing from ponds?
Leaves sink, rot, and turn into sludge that releases harmful gases and nutrients. In a sealed pond (especially with fish), this depletes oxygen and can make fish ill or kill them over winter. Better to scoop them out while they're still whole than deal with sludge in spring.
How often does this need doing?
In autumn when leaves are falling - usually October/November in Devon. If you've got trees overhanging the pond you might need it weekly during peak leaf-fall. Otherwise a good scoop every couple of weeks through autumn keeps on top of it.
Can't I just net the pond instead?
Netting stops leaves getting in, yes - but you need to clear the net regularly or it sags into the water. Some people prefer netting, others prefer occasional scooping. I can help with either approach. See my pond netting service if you want a net fitted.
Will you damage my pond plants?
I'm careful around plants and fish. The scoop catches leaves, not plants. Occasionally a small floater might get caught but it's minimal disturbance. Much better than leaving leaves to rot and poison the water.
What do you do with the scooped leaves?
Usually chuck them on a border or into garden waste - they're just wet leaves. If you've got a compost heap I can add them there, though they're slow to rot. Let them drain for a week then compost them with other material.
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01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Newton Abbot
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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