Yes! The anti-algal properties released in straw are used as a preventative measure for algae growth rather than a cure for any current algae problems. It is best to switch your old straw for new every 5 to 6 months to keep the anti-algal properties active, working year round for you.

Nance

Thanks, Nance. I knew it worked during summer, but wasn't sure about during winter.

Nance is going to kill me...aaah, but then the reincarnation! It is not clear what the mechanism is by which (or even if barley straw works - see URL below). However, it is most likely temperature dependent. Living in zone 4 I have not seen that barley straw does anything one way or the other when my water temp drops below 45°F so I pull all of it out. Otherwise it may just sit there and decay in your pond but without providing any benefit. The water will probably (if it stays cold) be very clear between now and spring. Of course, being in zone 7 maybe it just doesn't get that cold. With many inches of ice on our pond I doubt if there's a significant amount of sunlight that gets through. Come spring as the ice melts you can see day-by-day algae growth as the water warms up. At that point turning on the filters seems to work very well for knocking down any algae bloom. If you decide to leave it in I would suggest either keeping a bubbler going or at least checking your dissolved oxygen levels just in case.
---David

Here is a link that might be useful: Barley Straw background ifo.

I should have said what I said much better. Several years ago barley straw used to be one of those big controversies on which everyone had an opinion. I collected and saved what I thought were some of the better websites on the subject. The sum of what I learned then and refreshed myself just a bit ago...is this.

The process is temperature dependent. It takes the straw longer to rot in lower water temps in turn causing it to take longer for the "secret compounds" to become active. I do not know exactly "how low you can go" in temperature but it would stand to reason icy temps would blow the entire process. Because the "secret compounds" released from the rotting barley last 5 to 6 months, it is recommended that you add barley straw twice a year, in early spring and autumn. Definition of year round is dependent on the climate in your area. Where I come from our ponds go to sleep in the winter. Putting barley in my pond could start as early as mid-March or April, depending how early spring decides to arrive. And as late as July or August, again dependent on how long the first batch of barley lasts. That would be my definition of year round. In warmer climates a year could be close to even steven, adding barley every six months or so.

I hope that's a much better explanation. And David, first, I would never kill a maven. Second, I don't belive in reincarnation. Lucky for you that I have a first.. LOL!

Nance

Here is a link that might be useful: Control of Algae with Barley Straw

Thanks guys. Our winter temps are pretty variable. It seems average between 38 to 48 degrees, with a few days of colder or warmer temps. It seems our biggest threats in winter are the ice storms which has knocked power out for weeks at a time. Fortunately, that doesn't happen very often.
As the barley doesn't sound as if it is much benefit during the winter, if I pull it out and let it dry, can I still use it when spring arrives?
I have algae now, but not to bad, and will leave it for the fish. I hope when spring comes, it won't overwhelm the pond. We shall see.

Hardin, did you have to mention the ice storms? UGH! We don't get snow anymore do we, just ice!

I think I would start with fresh barley in the spring. You know, one year we had a weird VERY early spring here. By early I mean February. I know!! We had temps in the low 70's for days and then they would drop and come back up and just hopscotch all around. Everything was whacky. Trees were budding too soon, some plants were trying to blossom and our pond just didn't know what to do. I tethered a batch of barley to a rock just below the waterfall and I couldn't believe how well it helped with the faux spring (it was February after all!) algae that was also so very screwed up! Barley is temperature dependent but timing has a lot to do with the process as well. Start your barley early, when the spring temps in your area start to moderate and then just check it ever so often and replace it when it's rotton.

Nance

Nance, nice article you posted. Below is another barley straw article. It's a bit outdated (2005) but provides another, literature summary in addition to the one you posted. I'm a believer that more information is always better! What's interesting is to see how a great deal of the information posted is material that has been, ummmm, "lifted" from other sources - sometimes without even acknowledging the source! - and presented as new! You have to wonder if folks don't understand the concept of plagiarism. Certainly many students don't these days!

But coming back to the Barley Straw issue of what to do when you close down the pond: in my pond the netted bags are pretty "gunky" at this time of year so I empty them in my garden and turn them under. I highly doubt that drying them out to save them for next Spring would get you anywhere or ahead of adding a fresh batch come Spring. Hope all this helps.
---David
P.S. Mavin???? Not even close. Nada, not moi! LOL!

Here is a link that might be useful: 2005 Literature review for Barley Straw

I think the UK papers are the most plagiarized. Different versions are all over the place, condensed or sweetened to death and for the most part...all old news. Most sites now just give you a brief history of barley straw and directions for it's use. It also seems fewer studies are being done since there is an overwhelming acceptance of the practical use of barley straw.

The study below though is very current and well documented. Some folks are still trying to crack this nut! LOL!

http://www.ci.lakeville.mn.us/departments/departmentspdf/ER_LeeBarley.pdf

The link below shows just how serious people take their Barley straw...

Yes David, you are a Maven. But I'm sure you'd say you are in the company of many mavens at this forum...and you'd be right.

Nance

Here is a link that might be useful: Senate Bill 5113