Barley Straw: An Affordable Eco-Friendly Alternative for Garden Pond Maintenance

Barley straw has become increasingly popular for garden maintenance and pond water quality. It has been used for centuries and is both environmentally sound and inexpensive. Barley straw is a preferred choice today for the pond gardener as it is not costly and it is healthier for pond plant life than chemicals. While it will not kill existing algae, it works by creating a unique pond environment that discourages unwanted growth without harming existing life. This article will look at why barley straw is an optimal choice for your garden pond, and the best way to use it for maximum effectiveness.

Barley Straw vs. Chemical Herbicides

Pond algae have a tendency to grow at an alarming rate which makes it difficult to control. The number of algae species is enormous and most are effectively controlled through chemical treatments. The unfortunate side effect from chemical treatments is that they will also kill any other plant life in your pond. Further, once the chemical is gone from the water, the algae will appear again and will even worsen through the years. Barley straw will not harm any fish or plant life in your pond. It will actually increase the population of some species as it becomes a food source for many fish. Thus, natural solutions are not only safer, but a more effective option.

How Does Barley Straw Work?

Barley straw is placed in the water and byproducts are released from the straw to kill the algae. The temperature of the water is a critical aspect. The water needs to be more than 40 degrees in order for the straw to become active. Anything cooler than that will take the straw up to two weeks to become active. When placed in optimal temperature with sufficient oxygen and sunlight, the straw will decompose in the water and release a chemical compound that interferes with and prevents the growth of new algae cells. As the older cells die off, fewer new algae cells are produced and the algae population is controlled so long as the chemical compound is being produced.

How Much Straw to Use?

The volume of water in your pond is not as important as the surface area it holds. An average home garden pond will contain anywhere from 800 - 1200 gallons of water. This sized pond should only require an eight ounce bundle of straw first in the spring, and again in the beginning of summer. Excessive amounts should be avoided, particularly in extreme humid climates. Also the straw should be removed in climates where water freezing is a possibility. For ponds that average less than 800 gallons of water, a four ounce bale of hay is sufficient. In ponds that have a high mud content, more barley straw may be required as the byproducts it produces may be inactivated by the mud.

How to Apply Barley Straw

For the average garden pond, the straw should be loosely wrapped in netting so that water is allowed to flow through the container. For maximum effect, place the netting near a waterfall or stream if possible. As the straw decomposes, it will sink. A float such as a cork or small bottle can be attached to keep it partially out of the water. It is important that the straw receive continuous exposure to both oxygen and water as keeping it oxygenated will help it decompose and release its byproducts.

It is also critical to note that it should be added in early spring when the water is fairly low. The straw will take about a month or thirty days to become active. Once it is, the unique environment it creates will last for up to six months. A replacement bundle will be required before the first bundle completely decomposes. Two applications in one year are sufficient.

The chemicals the barley straw produces are naturally occurring and produced by natural decomposition with no ill effects on existing wildlife. Barley straw is further a very reasonably cost option. As a pond owner you may be reluctant to use manufactured chemicals in your pond to control algae as this may have to occur frequently during the growing season and can be very expensive. Barley straw provides you with an affordable and easy alternative.