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:DHi there Margaret,

Could you give me a helping hand? I 'm clearing the garden at the moment and wonder if it is a good thing to cut down my aquatic plants? I 've got rush grass etc which is looking pretty ropey at the moment and I desperately want to cut it back but how far?  ??? Do I take it to just under the water level? I know you're an expert on ponds and as this is the first winter for mine I really do need your advice. Cheers Eileen.

Eileen, I am by no means an expert, but just to say I have had a pond for ohhhhhhhhh  many years, and I cut all mine back, to water level, and in the spring split stuff and put into new baskets with aquatic soil! Dottie P

Hi Eileen.yes,Doris is right about cutting down to water level,but i would say that is probably best only for plants that grow tall out of the water.If they are plants that grow submerged and float on the surface it is best to prune well down,or any ice that forms will make them go all gungy!my parrots feather always gets well pruned,but in the last year the elodea has been growing so well it is still looking fresh and healthy.

Thank you Doris and Margaret! I will take your advice and cut the plants down to water level. Sorry for appearing such a twit  :-[ but it's better to ask than make mistakes I reckon.  ::)Now all I need is for the weather to change (yet again) so that I can get on with the job. At the moment it is pouring down and we've got gale force winds unbeleivable now that it was a lovely day yesterday and almost warm enough to go without a coat. :-/

Thanks again for your help - I'll no doubt be back with more 'pondie questions' so beware!