Pond weed

Labradors2 · June 25, 2015

Our pond is so loaded with pond weed that we've been hauling it out and I have been using it on my veggie garden.

Does anyone know if this comes anywhere close to Kelp? I know it has some good nutrients and at the very least it is a good weed-seed-free mulch.

Linda

AlittleSalt · June 25, 2015

Linda, I have read that some people compost pond weeds. I had always called it moss, but it is actually an algae. I'm guessing that is what you mean as Pond Weeds?

Labradors2 · June 25, 2015

No Robert, it's not algae - although we have that too when it gets really hot

It's the actual weed that grows in the pond, some of it from the bottom as it pulls up some mud with it. The stuff we have been hauling out recently looks grass-like although we have some of the other (invasive) stuff too. The goldfish like it!

Linda

heirloomtomaguy · June 25, 2015

If im not mistaken the invasive stuff is probably alligator weed. Its choking out all the rivers around my neck of the woods. I would not compost alligator weed if in fact it is that junk. It has the potential to spread like wild fire.

Labradors2 · June 25, 2015

Thanks for the warning. I looked it up and it's not Alligator weed, but something with very fine leaves. The other invasive one that I have is Millefeulles, but this stuff seems even worse and is difficult to get out because it has rooted, and our pond is 8' deep in the middle.

I do appreciate the warning not to compost stuff that is in flower or going to seed! I hadn't even thought about that!

Linda

4season · June 25, 2015

I think it will be great mulch. It won't have the trace mineral and plant hormones that ground kelp has, but it should keep the weeds down and feed the soil.

June 25, 2015	#1
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,895	Pond weed Our pond is so loaded with pond weed that we've been hauling it out and I have been using it on my veggie garden. Does anyone know if this comes anywhere close to Kelp? I know it has some good nutrients and at the very least it is a good weed-seed-free mulch. Linda

June 25, 2015	#4
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	If im not mistaken the invasive stuff is probably alligator weed. Its choking out all the rivers around my neck of the woods. I would not compost alligator weed if in fact it is that junk. It has the potential to spread like wild fire. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

June 25, 2015	#2
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Linda, I have read that some people compost pond weeds. I had always called it moss, but it is actually an algae. I'm guessing that is what you mean as Pond Weeds?

June 25, 2015	#6
4season Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: albuquerque Posts: 308	I think it will be great mulch. It won't have the trace mineral and plant hormones that ground kelp has, but it should keep the weeds down and feed the soil.