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Linda Fields, Owner of Still Pond Farm

Linda Fields
Owner / Agronomist
Email Linda
1-800-527-9420
1-410-795-9760

614 Klee Mill Road
Westminster, MD
21157

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  Bulk Barley Straw Bale Kits, treat 1/6 acre each, $40 PRICE INCLUDE SHIPPING to Eastern and Central Time Zone
  Barley Straw
Barley Straw Bale Kit
  
First choice for ponds larger than 2/3 acre!
$40 for one includes shipping to EST and CST time zone
Add $10 per bale to MST and PST
Volume Discounts on Pairs and Six Packs



Availability:: In stock for immediate shipment
Product Code: RSPBB8K

Bale Kit Options

  

Qty:
Description Dosing Rates / Product Sizing
 
Barley Bale Kit: No bags Each kit contains:
(1) 30 to 35 pound bulk bale of premium barley straw for algae control (30" x 20" x 15")
(1) Sample 5 in 1 Water Test Kit.
Instruction Flier
Toll Free Help Line
FREE SHIPPING OFFER: This item has free shipping to the Eastern and Central Time Zones. Add $10 per bale for delivery to the Mountain and Pacific Time Zones.

Secure whole bales in the shallow waters of the pond (not more than 3 feet deep).
Distribute evenly around the perimeter of the pond.
Install once and forget for all season algae control.
Leave in pond until all straw has decomposed (disappeared).
Will not harm fish, plants, frogs, snails, kids, dogs, etc.
Features
Barley Straw Barley straw is mother nature’s great and gracious gift to pond owners.

Even when our ponds are not perfect, the addition of barley straw helps to produce a cleaner, clearer pond.

No one knows exactly why this works. In Europe, barley straw has been used for centuries by farmers to help keep ponds clean from excessive algae. Even the ancient Egyptians had noticed that putting barley 'stubble` (straw) in still waters, kept them clean.

It has just been in the last few years that American Agriculture Extension Agents have become comfortable enough with straw to recommend it for ponds here. They like it because it is a chemical free management technique. They like it because it does not appear to have any environmental down side, and they like it because it is inexpensive.

We have been using it in our ponds for the past 10 years and have been delighted with the improvement. We have sold thousands of pounds of straw nationwide for the past ten seasons and have had 99% customer satisfaction. What makes it work? We don`t know. Just accept it as one of God`s blessings. 1.

1. Why should I use barley straw in my pond?

Barley straw applications contribute to a healthy natural pond. Barley straw is all natural, non toxic, inexpensive, and it really works!

2. How does it work?

Barley straw works by fostering large cultures of colorless, odorless, harmless, decomposing bacteria that promote a better balance of nutrient consuming organisms.

3. Will it work in my pond?

Barley straw will work in most ponds.

The more circulation of water in the pond, the less straw needs to be used. The less circulation, the more straw needs to be used. For optimum barley straw functioning (as with all beneficial bacteria, plant growth and fish health), a pond pH between 7.5 and 8.0 is best and at a Total Alkalinity of 100 mg/l or more. USE THE SAMPLE TEST KIT INCLUDED WITH YOUR ORDER TO CHECK OUT YOUR PH AND TOTAL ALKALINITY.

4. How much will I need?

Still Pond Farm’s recommended Farm Pond Barley Straw Dosing Rates: Use one bale for each 8000 square feet of pond surface (1/6 acre), regardless of depth.

5. When is the best time to put straw in my pond?

Barley straw may be placed in the pond at any time during the year. Once applied, barley straw should be maintained in the pond year round and replaced when the volume of the straw in the bag has decreased by more than 75%. (Normally 4 to 6 warm months)

6. Where is the best place to put straw in my pond?

In ponds with circulation such as an inflow stream or an aerator, your best bet is to anchor or stake the barley straw near the greatest water flow. In non-circulating, still ponds, place the straw in the area of the pond most prone to algae and / or on the downwind side where floating algae accumulates.

7. How do I know when to replace my straw?

Your straw should last about 6 months, but may decline in effectiveness after 3 in hot weather when decomposition is occurring rapidly. Replace when the volume of straw has decreased by 75%.

8. Installation Options:

GOAL: The installation goal is to place the straw such that it is distributed around the pond and stays put at the pond surface or not more than 3 feet under the water.

HOW: STILL PONDS UP TO 1/3 acre: Divide the bales into mesh bags and distribute the bags around the shallow areas (up to 3 feet deep) of the pond. To keep the straw bags in place drive three to six 4-5 foot stakes into the pond bottom (unlined ponds only), such that they extend at least 6” above the surface of the water. Toss the mesh bags drawstring around the top of the stake. Fiberglass electric fence stakes, available from farm supply stores work well and are inexpensive. OR, tie a length of nylon or polyester cord to the drawstring. Tether the bale to the bank with a peg or rock such that when the bale sinks it can not migrate to water deeper than 3 feet.

STILL PONDS OVER 1/3 acre. Distribute entire set of bales around the shallows of the pond and secure in place by driving a stake thru the bale and into the bottom of the pond. OR, tie a nylon or polyester cord around the bale securing it to the baling twine, then tether the bale to the bank with a rock or peg. Use a length of cord which will prevent the bale from migrating into water deeper than 3 feet when the bale eventually sinks.

AERATED PONDS: In an aerated pond, the best location is out near the aerator. For this type of installation we recommend that the straw be stuffed into mesh bags (as provided with our BALE KITS) or a similar mesh bag. The bags can then be tied directly to the aerator base or the cables that tether the aerator in place. Alternatively, for large ponds, floating barges may be constructed of glued 1 ˝” PVC pipe wrapped in black plastic screening. The barges can then be filled with straw and anchored out by the aerator.

PONDS WITH MOVING WATERS SUCH AS WATERFALLS OR STREAMS Place the straw near the moving water. If a waterfall is present, locate the straw near the top or bottom of the waterfall in water not more than 3 feet deep. If the pond is stream fed, locate ˝ of the straw near the point where the water enters the pond and the balance of the straw around the shallows of the pond as described above.

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