Garden chat groups

Garden Topics will be launched on June 17th 2023. I look forward to welcoming the applicants to our second garden chat group. There are one or two places available, but, unhappily, only until the cut off date. Welcome !!

[Bedwell]

I would like to join please. Though my garden is pretty small now.. a raised bed and a tiny lawn. But have had experience of pretty large gardens in my time.. here and in our house in France.. now sadly sold. I am an actress still doing occasional work. My husband died 20 years ago. I’m now 2 years from 15 mgs pred for polymialgia.. diwn to 4 ! Still a struggle! First time round I was free of pred in 6 months.. in 2017. !! I am 85

[Hidden in reply to Bedwell]

Hello Bedwell,That's lovely. We should be launching the second chat group soon. Welcome.

[piglette]

Could you ask the first chat group if any of them have any idea what to do about duck weed which has suddenly appeared on my pond?

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Yes, of course. I’ll let you know tomorrow 👍

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

I’ll also ask our next door neighbour who has a pond.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

I’ve asked my neighbour. He uses a net and then leaves the net on the side of the pond so that the newts etc. can crawl back in afterwards. 😀

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

What sort of net? Big holes, little holes? How do they lay out the net? Surely the duck weed will not be killed if you put the net on top as it still has the water to feed it??? What about the water lillies and the oxygenating plants?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

This is from RHS -

rhs.org.uk/weeds/duckweed

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady. This is perfect and preferable as it is from a well known organization. I have therefore deleted my last message to Piglette. 😀

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

The link you posted came up first when I looked - but thought RHS one was probably more appropriate as piglette is UK … but all links are much of a muchness..

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Dear DorsetLady,

I’m shortly off to the greenhouse, however would it be permissible to put the first group in touch with a well known, reputable natural garden pest control supplier, as they have a good supply of ladybird larvae, (not harlequins), nematodes etc. and I have used them successfully in the past.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

What you put in a message/chat is not on open forum, so not moderated - except by you, the host. So if you consider the product and information acceptable then it's up to you.. in fact you are only recommending something that is already in the public domain.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you very much.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Perhaps I should have added - so long as you are not gaining financially from the recommendation - but I'm sure you arent!

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

No, absolutely not. I had anticipated that this could be seen as a problem, but I just wanted to stop somebody being exploited by an inferior company. Some other companies are not very ethical and will sell harlequin ladybird larvae. Thank you your replies are always helpful.

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

It looks like if you get it that is it!! Unless you are a commercial organisation. I have water lilies, which in my case do not seem to help. The pond has been clear for over thirty years and the duckweed must have arrived on a bird’s beak. I am not sure what impact it has on the pond life as the RHS article does not say.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

If hubby was still alive I’d ask him as he was a water bailiff amongst other things -but unless he’s reading this and gets in touch, I’m afraid I can’t help…. 😳 ..😊..however

-I’d be included to use a hand net scoop it off -leaving it on side to dry off/die but letting living things get back into pond…. Does pond have aeration pump or fountain to keep water moving -that seems to be the key to stopping it in the first place.

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

No I did not want a fountain as too much for the tadpoles! If I drag the duck weed out I can always use it in the compost heap. It just sounds like hard work and you only have to have one piece and the whole thing starts up again. It has even spread to a mini pond with yellow flags in it. Perhaps I should just accept that I have lost the battle.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

Maybe, sometimes we just have to compromise with mother nature… 🪷🪷

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

I know the frogs are alive as they leap into the water when I go by.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Hello Piglette,

Pond nets with handles can be obtained from garden and general suppliers. Also, it seems, for future reference, duckweed doesn’t like shade, so some more plants by the side of the pond could be used to provide this and dissuade it in future. More oxygenating plants would be useful. (What a lovely excuse to buy more plants) 😀

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

My duckweed seems happy in the shade!! I have lilies even which are fighting with it. The pond is full of oxygenating plants. I give them away each year along with the lilies as they seem to grow like Topsy. I have got a net to clear out the pond. It is actually a kid’s one for use at the seaside. I have super duckweed it seems!

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Hello, It certainly sounds like it ! I hope the net helps.

[piglette in reply to piglette]

This photo may give you an idea of what I am up against!!

Duckweed in my pond

[Hidden]

One of the group said that they spent a lot of money to treat it, but when a couple of mallard ducks came to stay they cleared it all. The answer seems to be to get some ducks ! I will see if anybody else replies.

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

I have a duck, I did have two. Did the expensive treatment affect the wild life in the pond, mainly frogs and newts?

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

I’ll ask 😀

[Allotmental]

I would like to join too please. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Allotmental]

Hello Allotmental,

You are very welcome. I’ll put you on the list and will be in touch.

[Hidden in reply to Allotmental]

Please click into Garden Topics on my Chat site to join the group. Welcome.