Product Review – Vegetation Management

If your lawn is taking on a green tint, vegetation is starting to develop in your pond. Here’s a list of common varieties in our region.

Nutrient levels, sunlight penetration, and temperatures determine how plants thrive. If you see early growth, don’t delay responding.  Plants will spread rapidly as water temperatures climb.  We’re approaching peak aquatic vegetation season.  Is your water clarity is 36-inches, or greater?  Do you have an older pond with heavy siltation and shallow average depths? Do numerous waterfowl winter with you and deposit plant seeds?  If so, your environment has basic requirements plants seek to thrive.

Unless you’re an experienced applicator, please don’t attempt treatment alone. If plants are not accurately identified and matched with the proper chemical, you can spray them all day and not see results.  If you treat too large an area at one time, you could cause oxygen depletion and harm fish.  Here’s a valuable source for identification and approved management options– https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/. It’s the official aquatic plant website for the Extension Service.  See the Quick Plant Link at the bottom right corner of the home page.  Click a plant name.  There are photographs to confirm identification.  Above photos, click Management Options for accepted treatment methods.  If vegetation does not cover more than 20-percent of the pond, it can provide beneficial fish habitat.  More creates complications.  Call to discuss a treatment plan to achieve a productive balance.

Browse facts about these well-known plants in the Quick Link Glossary:

  • American pondweed
  • Cattails
  • Filamentous algae
  • Coontail
  • Water primrose
  • American lotus
  • Bushy pondweed

Don’t start treatment until new growth sprouts.  Plants must be active to absorb chemicals and provide effective treatment.  You’re probably seeing filamentous algae now.  Ask us about tilapia to reduce algae.  For varieties requiring chemical treatment, begin as early as possible before they cover large areas requiring expensive multiple treatments.


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