How to Control the Growth of Pond Weeds
Does your pond have a lot of buildup on the bottom? If there is a lot of sludge on the bottom of your pond you should know that it is due to decaying pond weeds. Left alone, these rotting weeds can quickly turn your nice garden pond into a nasty, smelly compost pile. Also, if the sludge is left alone, it will only promote more weeds and algae to grow. It will also attract pesky insects. Does this Spark an idea?
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The easiest way to get rid of the mess is to have your pond dredged. However, if this is not an option due to cost, you do have other options to control pond weeds.
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One option is to purchase an herbicide and a pond rake. Apply the herbicide according to the directions. After the pond weeds have died, you can rake them out of your pond.
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Another option you may want to consider is adding bacteria to your pond. The bacteria that you add to your pond will help the weeds decompose faster, and it will break up the debris that has settled on the bottom of your pond. You can find the bacteria you need at most any home and garden center that stocks pond and water garden equipment.
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When dealing with pond weeds you should also think about algae. Are the edges of your pond caked up with algae? If so, this is a sign that you need to increase the circulation in your pond. You should use a brush to move the algae away from the edges of your pond. You should also install an aerator and let it run year round. While having algae build up on the edges of a pond is not bad, it can look unsightly.
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Lastly, another option to help control algae and the growth of pond weeds is to add grass carp to your pond. Grass carp are fairly inexpensive. They are a very cheap way to control weeds and algae in ponds. The good thing about stocking your pond with grass carp is that it is a long term solution to your pond weed problem. Grass carp love to eat pond weeds, and young grass carp will feed on algae. Just do not overstock your pond with this fish. They have a hearty appetite. Not only do they eat submersed weeds, but they eat weeds on the pond's surface too.
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