blanket weed

Established ponds

Where blanket weed and algae are already a problem in an established pond, consider the following;

• Blanket weed and other floating algae are easily removed by twirling them out of the pond with a cane
  
• All pond algae can sometimes be discouraged by floating a mesh bag of barley straw on the pond – about 50g of straw per sq m (1½ oz per sq yd) of water surface area is ideal. Add the straw in spring and remove it when it has turned black (usually about six months later). Sometimes lavender is added to the barley straw for additional effectiveness
  
• For smaller ponds and water features try a liquid barley straw extract bought from a garden centre or aquatic nursery. Various other products are available that combine barley straw extract with a blend of micro-organisms designed to remove nutrients from the water and discourage algal growth
  

Prevention

Aim to reduce the amount of nutrients entering the pond by the following:

• Only introduce plants to the water that are growing in low-nutrient, aquatic compost
  
• Avoid putting soil in the pond and remove any soil that has collected in the base of a new pond prior to filling with water
  
• Apply any fertilisers to lawns carefully to avoid waste running into the pond
  
• Place a net over ponds to prevent leaves falling in
  
• Use rainwater, if possible, to top up levels
  

Other options

• Prevent stagnant water by having a fountain or water feature that will help aerate the water and prevent the build-up of blue-green algae. However, it is unlikely to have any effect on other types of algae
  
• Pond filters and ultraviolet clarifiers are useful for removing algae and other debris from the water
  

Fish and pond snails

• Algae will be less of a problem where fish are not introduced to the pond. If fish are to be added, the best pool fish are goldfish, orfe and shubunkin. Carp and tench feed in mud and debris at the bottom of pools and can cause clouding of the water. Add fish about three weeks after filling and planting a new pond
  
• Keep fish populations in check by occasionally giving some away, or moving them to another garden pond, but never into the wild
  
• Ramshorn snails can be introduced but avoid other water snails as they tend to be less efficient scavengers and, in particular, avoid those with long, pointed shells which have a tendency to eat the leaves of the water plants rather than scavenging
  https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=162
  
  

nicko wrote:Thanks for reply's,   will see if I can get liquid barley straw extract.

nicko wrote:Only a small one,------6FT X 4FT X 2FT