How to Make Barley Bales for a Pond

Barley bales are known to help reduce the level of algae in pond water. Unfortunately, you cannot simply place a tightly grouped barley bale into pond water and expect it to work. You create a loose bale of barley, so water and oxygen can flow through the bale. When you use a correctly assembled bale, you can expect the barley to help you reduce the algae in your pond.

Things You'll Need

• Barley
• Pond netting
• Twine
• Rope

Instructions

1. Place a piece of pond netting on the ground. For small Koi ponds, use a smaller piece of netting. For larger ponds, use the largest netting you can find. In the case of larger ponds, usually you need multiple bales.

2. Cut the twine off the tightly rolled bales of barley and separate the barley to aerate it.

3. Place it loosely in the netting to create a pile.

4. Wrap the netting around the barley. If the ends of the netting will not touch, remove a little of the barley.

5. Tie the netting together with twine to secure the barley bale together.

6. Tie a nylon rope to the twine. Secure the rope to the ground before you toss the bale into the water. When you are ready to remove the bale, use the rope to pull it out.

Tips & Warnings

• Use about 225 lbs. of barley for every acre of water, made into five bales. Place the barley in shallow water, 4 to 5 feet or so.

References

• Purdue University; Barley Straw for Algae Control; Carole A. Lembi; August 2002