| It is not clear when the barley straws started, but it is | | | | without breaking the straws into pieces. The straw |
| pretty obvious that these straws are pond owners' | | | | must be unpacked and broken loosely to allow proper |
| and fish farmers' pals. Because of its popularity, it is not | | | | aeration. For best results, the straws can be placed in |
| new or surprising to find bales of barley straw being | | | | a net so the air and water can freely circulate through |
| sold in pond centers and garden shops for use in small | | | | the straw. |
| ponds or fountains to control algae. However, are | | | | There may have been different dosages |
| there valid proofs or research that supports the claim? | | | | recommended, but the most common dosage is 225 |
| Or is it just a mere speculation from people who | | | | pounds (or 5 bales) per acre of water. The water |
| thought that algae were preventative cure for algae? | | | | may work in either shallow or deep water. The |
| Where it all started? | | | | maximum depth for shallow water is about 4 to 5 feet |
| The use barley straw started since the early 1990s in | | | | in depth, but the maximum depth for deep water is still |
| England. There was legend that an English farmer | | | | undetermined. |
| dropped off the bales of barley straw in a heavily | | | | The bales should be placed near the waterfall so |
| algae-infested pond. After few weeks, the pond | | | | the current will push the bales to the rest of the pond. |
| turned normal after it had been immersed in barley | | | | This treatment does not give immediate effects in |
| straw. The news scattered throughout the town, and | | | | algae removal. Most people thought that barley straws |
| then most fishermen did the same to their ponds. | | | | could kill algae, but the truth is: barley straws only |
| However, laboratory studies done by English | | | | suppress the growth of algae. |
| researchers propose that there are particular species | | | | It must be applied before March or April, preferably |
| of algae that can be prevented by this treatment | | | | when algae are less abundant. Summer is the month |
| treatment. But there are pieces of evidence from | | | | of uncontrollable algae growth that is why early |
| English fish farmers that barley straws can help clear | | | | prevention is crucial to interrupt the growth of algae in |
| the contaminated water and reduce algal populations | | | | your ponds. |
| when used over time. | | | | The maximum effect of this treatment is six |
| Best Practices | | | | months. It should be replaced every six months (or |
| There are various recommendations in terms of the | | | | twice a year) to maintain the effects of barley straw |
| use of barley straws, but most of these suggestions | | | | in the pond. |
| are taken from experienced English or British farmers. | | | | Excessive algae problems take longer time to see |
| Here are some of the most important tips in applying | | | | results. You can manually remove the strings of algae |
| barley straw in your pond: | | | | in the pond before applying this treatment to help |
| The most common mistake made by pond | | | | neutralize the oxygen levels of the pond. |
| owners is throwing some huge stocks into the water, | | | | |