Pond planting - use only gravel?

[tom00_uk]

i use cat litter and gravel

a fraction of the cost of using aquatic soil, make sure you get the basic untreated clay based litter

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by Red Robin

....The blanket weed I get doesn't float around but 'grows' on the sunny side of my pond liner like barnacles on a ship's hull. However, the water snails and hog lice seem to graze it, aided by a giant human hand (mine!) removing excess.

So, how does one test one's pond water for levels of nutrients? [EDIT: Apart from observing the quantity of blanket weed]

you buy a water testing kit online or from your local aquatic supply shop,

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Red Robin

....

Yes, I thought about that when I asked (my earlier post has now been edited).

Agreed that it's the most natural and easiest way but are you saying that if the nutrient levels of a pond are perfectly balanced then no blanket weed should be present at all? Isn't it just like any other 'weed' in that it's a plant growing somewhere undesirable to us humans? (as well as being a useful 'thermometer'). Does blanket weed serve serve any useful purpose for the inhabitants of a pond?

As said you can get water testing kits they are available on-line if you dont have a shop near you..
Blanket weed is very good for wildlife the tadpoles and small animals hide in it so they are safe from being eaten some things eat it.
I would rather have that than the duck weed I have this is uncontrollable.
If I get too much blanket weed I use a garden cane and twist the weed round it but look out for anything living in it..

[nightshade]

I regularly scooped Duckweed off our pond and threw it on the borders, it did not rot as expected, then I noticed the chickens eyeing it. So that is where it goes now through the summer the chicken have wet salad and love it

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

My experience with 'small' artificial ecosystems - fish tanks, ponds, greenhouses - is that it's difficult to achieve a stable system without extreme swings. These ecosystems are usually less 'complete' and have fewer controlling and stabilising factors. In the case of a garden pond, it's unlikely to have eg carp, tench, bream and waterfowl keeping the blanket weed under control.

Jim

....Neither fish nor fowl in my pond, so I'll be relying on my very own 'Hand of God' to maintain what looks like a healthy balance.

I won't bother with the scientific approach of a testing kit unless I think I'm fighting a losing battle and the pond creatures look as if they need to be thrown a life line.

[Jim Ford]

The trouble with 'hand management' is like weeding - you need to be vigilant and relentless. It's no good 'blitzing' it and thinking 'job done' and forgetting it - the stuff's busy growing again while you're back sitting watching the television (or on WAB)!

Jim

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The trouble with 'hand management' is like weeding - you need to be vigilant and relentless. It's no good 'blitzing' it and thinking 'job done' and forgetting it - the stuff's busy growing again while you're back sitting watching the television (or on WAB)!

Jim

....True, but I am retired (I don't have time to work) and have spent time checking out my pond every single day since I created it last June. What goes on in there is fascinating.

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

i use cat litter and gravel

a fraction of the cost of using aquatic soil, make sure you get the basic untreated clay based litter

Thank you, Tom, for this suggestion. I'm interested to know where you got the idea for this from - is it a widely used method? Not one I've heard of before.

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by King Edward

Thank you, Tom, for this suggestion. I'm interested to know where you got the idea for this from - is it a widely used method? Not one I've heard of before.

It is a well known source of clean dry clay, used in a range of projects. Just insure its clay that has nothing added to it

if you do a search you will find a range of both pond plant suppliers and end users that have written about it

you need to ensure you ensure its well wetted before use or as i found in a margin when first using it you get a cap forming a dry layer below.

im tracking the progress of the recent planting of a load of cuttings on here
From the Garden Shed