Add barley straw minibales to the pond:
Your pond may start to go green soon with algae or blanketweed after the Winter cold turns to warmer Spring:
- Add the first of this year's barleystraw minibales this month so it activates before the water warms up.
- Barley straw is an organic method of algae control - safe for wildlife, pets and plants.
- Barley straw minibales need a month to activate, so put them in the water now.
- They will be ready then before more sunshine arrives.
- Remove any old minibales of last year and throw the straw onto the compost heap.
- Barley straw minibales should not sink to the base of the pond so ours have a small float attached.
- Tie near a waterfall or pump outlet so they can be moved around by the water flow.
- Change each minibale after 6 months so keep a second bale dry if not used and add the second in July to activate.
- Remove any used barley minibales in August after the one month overlap.
If you have a container pond or small pond:
- Use liquid Barley Bio Algae Control.
- This liquid concentrate of barley straw works more immediately so does not need to be added a month in advance.
- Both these products are organic and safe for wildlife, pets and plants.
- Barley Bio has additional beneficial enzymes.
- Buy now and start to use the necessary measurement for your pond volume fortnightly from March onward.
- Use the timing of the clocks going back/forward as your reminder to start/stop usage.
- Increase dosage to weekly when the weather warms.
For more information visit our Tips and Advice pages: Blanketweed and algae control
Or buy Barleystraw minibales or Barley Bio Algae Control in our Pond Products Pack. Along with Chlorine Guard, Pond Revive, Feed balls for Aquatic plants, and whichever size pair of Long-arm pond gloves you may need this pack gives you a great product set to start the new season.
