Looking for tool to remove lily pads for winter cleanup

[suzy-q]

As the temps here in Michigan have dipped into the 40's, I've begun to think about cleaning up the pond. I would love to find something that would allow me to remove the lily pads without getting into the pond. My pond is about 20ft x 20ft and 3ft deep. I bought a tool from a company a few years back that had piece of metal on a pole, but was never able to get it to work right. Anyone have something that works? Thanks.

[miguynmkoi]

Esther had a pole with a hook at the end of it to retrieve pots, in the DIY column.  I made something similar to pull off spent lily blooms and yellow pads.  But my pond is way smaller than yours.  You probably can do this with a long metal pole and a sharp hook at the end.

[marla]

I use chestwadders and my fingers, or pruners.  I'd rather be in then reach from shore.

[Esther]

I was going to be a smart alec and tell you to look at the end of your thumb (thumbnail). But I won't. Johns had a DIY pruner I think on his site. I'll look and get the link. Phooey, the link I had on my bookmarks didn't work. I then did a Google on DIY pond lily pruner and here's some links.  http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ponds/msg0820350723072.html 

[Johns]

Try these:

http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/web20.html

[Cindi]

I purchased a long handle pruner last year and that worked great for me.  This year I had to repot my lilies so I took advantage of the warm weather we had a couple weeks ago and got in the pond and took care of everything then.  Funny thing is that we had that warm spell last week and one lily sent up two pads.  Michigan weather has been wonderful this year!   

[Jerry]

I made Johns pruner too, works well, but using chest hi waders is easier for me. At least if there is a lot of clean-up.  The water is pretty cool here too, no, mot like MI.