So, like, you know how a pond needs aquatic plants to be all healthy and stuff? Well, turns out, too many plants can mess things up and make it hard for you to actually use the pond. And get this, it can also mess with the fish population. Crazy, right? If you had issues with your pond last year because of too many plants, well, you might be facing the same problem this year.
To deal with all those pesky plants, you’ve got some options. Mechanical and chemical control are the way to go for quick fixes in an existing pond. But here’s the catch – you gotta start early when the plants aren’t going all out. If you wait too long and the plants are taking over, control becomes a whole lot harder. And using chemicals can mess with the water quality and harm the fish. Not cool.
Mechanical methods involve things like covering the bottom, providing shade, removing plants, and lowering the water levels. One trick is to cover the bottom of your private pond with a blanket for about a month early in the season. This helps limit plant growth in the areas where you wanna fish or swim. You can use special weed barriers or just good ol’ black plastic (just poke some holes for gases to escape).
If you wanna give your pond some shade, try applying a pond dye in April before the plants go crazy. Less light means less plant growth. This works best for ponds with small watersheds. And hey, there are plenty of pond dye products out there in blue and black. Just remember to reapply throughout the spring and summer ‘cause water coming in can dilute it and sunlight can break it down.
Removing plants the old-fashioned way is also an option for those high-use areas. Get your hands dirty or grab some tools to help you out. You can make your own tools or buy them from stores. It’s a cheap way to keep things in check.
Now, let’s talk about herbicides. They’re like the chemical superheroes that can zap those plants away. But here’s the thing – you might have to keep applying them throughout the summer to keep things under control. When you use herbicides, make sure you do these five steps: 1) figure out what plant you’re dealing with; 2) measure the area you wanna treat; 3) read the herbicide label to know how much and when to apply; 4) check if there are any restrictions on water use; and 5) follow the directions on the label. Most herbicides work best when it’s calm and sunny out.
If you wanna learn more about dealing with aquatic plants in ponds, check out the DNR website. They’ve got all the deets you need to keep your pond in tip-top shape. And remember, a little plant control now can save you a whole lot of trouble later on. So get out there and show those plants who’s boss!
