Duck weed
 

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Hello,

As I said in another post, I've moved house and there is a pond in the
garden. The pond seems to be full of weed (and tadpoles - but that's a
different post). I think it is duck weed? It looks like tiny
single-leaved plants that float on the surface of the water. I think
this spreads manically. Should I remove it all before it covers every
inch? Is the best way to do this with a net, or do I have to resort to
chemical means? Will it cause problems by starving the other plants or
blocking the light into the water?

Thanks.

I've visited quite a few places with ponds - not managed but natural - they
are covered with duckweed during the summer and also abound with wildlife.
Swans swim in them, they look odd to our eyes, apparently sitting on grass!

Our little pond is also covered with duckweed at the moment, we do nothing.
The frogs and tadpoles don't seem to suffer, we get a lot of insects and in
the cold weather the duckweed disappears. Its level is maintained only by
rain.

Occasionally I'll stir the surface to disperse the tadpoles then scoop up a
couple of netsful to give to the hens, they love both the weed and the water
slaters in it. Interestingly although our chicks often look into the green
covered pond they have never tried to walk on the surface.

If you managed to scoop it all out it would soon return. Leave just one
plant (leaf) and you can practically see it multiply. It's fascinating
stuff.

Mary