Garden Work

The recent warm weather has produced an explosion of weeds, not just in the garden, but in ponds and pools too

The recent warm weather has produced an explosion of weeds, not just in the garden, but in ponds and pools too. Blanket weed spreads quickly to form thick wads of green floating filaments. Twirl it around a stick and leave it to drain for a few hours by the side of the pond so that entangled water creatures can make their way back home. Leaky ponds that are refilled with mains water are especially prone to being clogged by blanket weed. Topping them up instead with rain-water collected in water butts may alleviate the problem.

Meanwhile, eliminate competition for nutrients in the garden by keeping the bases of hedges, fruit-bearing bushes and newly-planted trees free from weeds. And if you have access to straw, a mulch around your strawberry plants will keep them moist and clean.