Had the feed store here in n.e. Pa. order me 4 bales of barley straw. When he called to let me know they were in he said you probably do not want to pay the price. The price was $2.95 per bale, not bad I said. He said, I didn't tell you the size they came in. I asked is it the short bale? He said YES,very short the size of a shoe box. WHAT??? You must be kidding? No. Thats the size for $2.95 a bale. Changed my mind on that purchase. Someone mentioned an alternate straw which can be used,do not remember if it was wheat or oat straw. Can someone be of help to me? How much would you need for a pond around 8th tenth of an acre and how would you put it, loose or bales in certain areas around the pond or would you suggest using a chemical. Mary

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), May 08, 2002

Answers

According to the online places that sell them, two 8 ounce bales treat 1000 gallons for one year....making 2.95 a bale not so bad :)

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), May 08, 2002.

OK, hopelessly lost here, but barley straw in a pond? What does that do?

-- Joy in Eastern WA (jparkes@spfarm.com), May 08, 2002.

Sorry I forgot to mention the barley straw was to eleminate the algie in the pond. It will take more than 2-8 ounce bales treating 1000 gallons for a year my size is around 8th tenth of an acre. Mary

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), May 08, 2002.

OK I never heard of this either! This is normal run of the mill barley straw??? The kind you buy from your neighbor for 3 bucks for a 50 pound bale on a real bad year??? I am so in the wrong business!!!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), May 08, 2002.

I'm paying $5 a bale for square bale here. You can't find it! I have to buy it at Lowes in the garden department or at Southern States.

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

I just called our local aquatic plant/pond place and they are going for $12.78 (twelve)!!!!They are approx 10"x4". So your 2.98 doesn't sound bad!!!I think some of us needs to plant barley!!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), May 09, 2002.