Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Weeds On Beach And Ledge Gravel

I have a 1/2 acre pond that has a sand beach and limestone gravel around the ledge on the sides.

My question is how to remove weeds without puting something toxic near the water. I've tried spraying vinegar with some success and I've heard that bleach could be an answer.

Since we swim and fish in the pond, I'd like to find an alternative to hand weeding that is safe.

Any ideas?

Rocky,

I assume you are talking about weeds on the perimeter of the pond as opposed to weeds in the pond itself?

Reward has been recommended here for that use and I have used it very successfully and hence recommend it to you...but it is non-discriminatory meaning it will kill whatever plant it touches.

Do not use RoundUp as many problems have been reported with the surfactant in RU causing severe harm to amphibians and possibly fish in your pond.

Now about vinegar and bleach...interesting that you consider them safe for your pond. Are you sure that vinegar and bleach are both safe to fish and swimming? I'm not an expert, but common sense would tell me that bleach is toxic to fish and vinegar in a swimming area, well to each his own.

Rocky,

I would check into a weed burner if the plants are at the water line. I always get a lot of maple seedlings at the edge of my stone and spend several days each season pulling them out. If you have never seen a burner , take a look at the following links;

http://www.flameengineering.com/Flame_Weeding.html

And here is a DIY version if you're a handyman;

http://www.agronomy.ucdavis.edu/LTRAS/itech/flame.html

Chip