We have the experience to help you.
I have helped thousands of pond owners solve their pond algae problems with barley straw bales, barley straw extract, and barley straw pellets.
Over the past 9 years, I have received a wealth of feed back from my straw customers that has helped me refine and expand my grasp of the subject. Here is some of what I have learned.
Below are answers to the following most commonly ask barley straw questions:
- Which type of barley straw is best for my pond?
- WHEN is the best time to start putting barley straw in my pond?
- WHY should I use barley straw to control algae in my pond?
- HOW does barley straw work to control algae?
- HOW MUCH barley straw do I need for my pond?
- HOW OFTEN do I need to apply barley straw?
- WHERE is the best place to put barley straw in my pond?
- In WHAT water conditions does barley straw work best?
Need more help, email me. Linda Fields, Owner, Agronomist
Scroll below for answers to these questions.
1. Which type of Barley Straw is best for my pond?
For large earthen ponds, Still Pond Farm Barley Straw Bulk Bales are the easiest and least expensive algae control method. (Use 6 bales per surface acre) For smaller ponds and water gardens Still Pond Farm Bagged Barley Straw and Barley Straw Filter Mats, Microbe-lift Barley Straw Extract and Microbe-lift Barley Straw Pellets work well.
The pros and cons are as follows:
Pros:
Cons:
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Slowest to start working (several weeks in cool water)
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Bags take up space about the size of a football May be hard to hide.
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Does not distribute product throughout pond as well as Extract or Pellets
Pros:
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One application controls algae 4 to 6 months
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Slim 1/2'' mat can be hidden in filter box or skimmer
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Does not change pH
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Does not discolor water
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Long lasting Excellent for preformed ponds
Cons:
Microbe-lift Barley Straw Extract
Pros:
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Disappears in pond
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Begins working immediately
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Does not discolor pond
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Disperses itself throughout pond
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Original version does not change pH
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Version with peat lowers pH (good for ponds with high pH; greater than 9.0)
Cons:
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Must be re-applied every three weeks, promptly or algae will reappear
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More expensive than bagged straw
Microbe-lift Barley Straw Pellets
Pros:
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Works faster than bagged straw (1 to 5 days)
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Sinks to disappear in pond Easier to distribute throughout pond
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Contains peat which helps buffer (stabilize pH)
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Contains humates which can help tie up excess nutrients
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Helps lower pH in high alkaline, high pH (pH>9.0) ponds
Cons:
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More expensive than bagged straw
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Contains peat which can color water brownish for 10 to 14 days
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Lowers pH (undesirable in acid rain/soil/groundwater areas such as much of the Northeast)
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Becomes inactive rapidly if bottom sludge is deep enough to cover Pellets
2. WHEN is the best time to start putting barley straw in my pond?
Since barley straw is an algae preventative, it is best to start putting it in the pond before algae starts growing rapidly. What is the second best time to put barley straw in my pond? When you really need it. When the water is pea green and/or green scummy stuff is floating on the top. It will take longer to work if there is already an algae problem, but it will work in a few weeks. When algae are already a problem, the straw will prevent new algae from growing but you will have to wait for the existing algae to die of ''old age'' which is usually several weeks.
3. WHY should I use barley straw to control algae in my pond?
Barley straw is non-toxic, inexpensive, long lasting, low maintenance, has beneficial side effects, and best of all, it really works. Barley straw in not harmful to other water plants, fish, frogs, snails, ducks, horses, swimming dogs or kids.
4. HOW does barley straw work to control algae?
The exact chemistry of how it works is not definitely known. It is believed that the barley straw’s high lignin content provides a food source for beneficial bacteria that block the growth of algal cells. So, it does not kill algae, or anything else. It merely blocks the growth and multiplication of algae cells.
5. HOW MUCH barley straw do I need for my pond?
A good rule of thumb is to use one half pound of barley straw for small ponds up to 50 square feet (About 1000 gallons) and one full pound for ponds up to 100 square feet (About 2000 gallons). It is difficult to overdose barley straw. Doses up to 5 times the recommended dosage are not detrimental. In small ponds, dosages greater than 5 times the recommended rate may make the water tea colored. For large earthen ponds, use 6 barley straw bulk bales per surface acre regardless of depth.
6. HOW OFTEN do I need to apply barley straw?:
Re-applications of natural barley straw are generally required after four to six months of warm weather use.
Example 1: If you put your pond straw in in March, replace it in September, since all six month were warm.
Example 2: If you install your pond straw in July and your weather turns cold in October, that straw will last thru those three summer months, the following winter and three additional warm months next spring. So replacement is needed by June.
Applications of Barley Straw Pellets are needed every 2 months.
Barley Straw Extract needs replacement every three weeks.
7. WHERE is the best place to put barley straw in my pond?
Your best bet is to place the barley straw where the greatest volume of water will come in contact with, and hopefully wash through, the straw. Or, if you have a waterfall, anchor it at the bottom of the falls. If that is not suitable, anchor it at the narrowest point above the falls. In large earthen ponds where entire barley straw bulk bales are used, place the bales around the pond in the shallows, in not more than 3 feet of water and secure in these depths with an anchor or a cord leash pegged to the shore.
8. In WHAT water conditions does barley straw work best?
Barley straw works best in conditions that are conducive to bacteria growth. These conditions are: water temperatures above 50, pH above 7.5, total alkalinity 100 or above and high oxygen content
Need more help, check out our Still Pond Farm Reading Room: Barley Straw links to articles on this subject.
Still need help? Click the 'feedback' button at the bottom of this page to bring up an email window.
Send us the size and shape and issues with your pond and we will help you figure it out straw dosing needs.
Availability and Shipping:
Barley Straw, available all year, normally ships within 24 hours on business days. Barley straw shipments will arrive within three days on the East Coast, within one week to the West Coast.
We stock sizes of Barley Straw for all ponds great and small: from 8 barley straw bulk bale packages for multi-acre earthen ponds to filter mats for tiny preformed water gardens.
Click on the title of individual products above for more information.
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