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Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find a series of questions that I am often asked concerning the use of barley straw. Much of my knowledge comes from my own experience as well as the wisdom of others.
For a more scientific and biological explanation of barley straw, please see my links page.
Why use barley straw?
Barley straw is an all natural and inexpensive way to keep algae from growing in your pond, water garden, or lake. When should I apply the barley straw?
As soon as possible in early spring. The earlier the better (March/April).
How much straw do I need?
Water garden owners: 1 lb. per thousand gallons
Pond and lake owners: 225 lbs. per surface acre *Because algae normally grows near the surface, the doseage rate is calculated by surface area. How do I apply the straw in my pond?
We have used the method seen in the pictures to the right for quite a few years now and it has worked very well for us in our 1/2 acre pond. Here is what we recommend...
- For the mesh bags we sell, use about 6 lbs. of straw per bag. - Put a 1/2 gallon of air (a milk jug/ pop bottle) in each bag first, before adding the straw. The air keeps the bag up off the bottom of the pond. - Tie the bag shut and then tie the bag to a weight with about 2-3 feet in between. - Drop bags and block into the pond so that the bag is 2-3 feet below the surface of the water. Algae usually grows near the surface so it is ideal to have the barley straw near the surface where there is more water flow. - Distribute the bags around the edges of the pond while keeping them away from swimming areas and areas of high activity. TIP - Placing bags near sources of moving water can be helpful (fountains, incoming streams, etc.). How long will the straw last in my pond?
If applied in early spring, barley straw will normally last until mid-July. At that point I recommend replacing the straw and putting in a new batch until late September when it can be taken out of the pond for the winter This applies for a climate similar to Ohio. Adjust this principle to make it work for your own weather climate.
How long can I store the barley straw?
As long as the barley straw is kept in a dry place, it will last for years.
Can I talk to someone about how this works?
Of course! Give us a call, 419-409-0053 |
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