Households are being urged to immediately remove algae and pondweed from their back gardens during the month of July by using this one natural and effective method
Gardeners have been told to turn their attentions to ponds in July which may be looking a little worse for wear.
As the temperatures are rising and the daylight hours are longer, it’s time to think about giving your garden pond a good wash for the sake of any wildlife who may rely on this during the summer, and even if you have any fish inside.
Throughout the months, an accumulation of pondweed and algae can appear, overtaking the space and becoming quite a disturbance. For the month of July, Gardeners’ World has released a list of important tasks to complete, one of them including “scoop up any floating pondweed and algae from pools and water features”.
As explained by the RHS, there are various types of algae which grow in ponds and lakes. Due to their colour, they can turn the water green, as well as reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting the overall growth of pond plants.
What is pond algae, and is it safe?
Algae have to be removed from swimming pools because not only do they turn the water green, but they can also make it unsanitary, leading to bacterial growth. It’s also not recommended nor safe to swim in it as it could cause skin irritation, as explained by SPA Marvel.
Gardeners’ World revealed different ways to remove algae safely, and by adding barley straw, a natural method, it can also control its growth.
Barley straws work effectively as they’re a natural and non-toxic alternative to other harsh chemicals. Even better, it’s safe for surrounding plants, fish and other wildlife.
For optimal use, the site recommends using bales or loose straw in the pond. However, it’s a must for gardeners to replace this once it has become black to ensure its effectiveness.
One of the downsides of using barley straws is that excessive use can be dangerous for the fish and could even kill them. Although it works well against algae, it doesn’t work against stronger weeds such as pondweed.
If you have a large pond, it’s best to hire a professional weed control company. Alternatively, scoop out the pondweed and the algae by using a net or rake. To maintain a clean garden pond, it’s essential to watch out for these areas while completing other cleaning tasks.