Farm ponds in rural Georgia are just as common as cows and barbed wire fences. Ponds are a beautiful source of relaxation around these parts. They provide not only water to animals but recreation to the landowners in the form of fishing and swimming.

Everybody likes to see a pond that is clean and healthy. However that's not the case all the time. During this time of the year an algae bloom can occur in a pond. You might look out on your pond one summer day and notice a pea soup look or blobs of green slimy material floating in many areas of the pond. This is a result of an algae bloom. Why does this occur? Well, first and foremost we must understand that algae occur naturally and without algae, your pond would not be able to host fish, frogs, bugs, or other living creatures. Algae are essential to a healthy pond.

The algae bloom occurs when there is a surplus of plant food. Nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and potassium are the four nutrients that tend to give pond owners the most trouble. The chemicals mentioned above combine with carbon dioxide, water, sun light on the pond surface and warm temperatures, algae can easily grow out of control.

I get a lot of calls about algae covering an entire pond, the awful smells that occurs, friends and relatives unable to fish properly and most of all what to do about it.

There are two methods of choice that will aid in controlling algae blooms preventive and chemical control methods are available for pond owners to use in properly handling algae blooms.

First let's begin with preventive methods. Pond owners should limit the amount of nutrients flowing into their pond. Common sources are fertilizer, farm runoff, decomposing lawn clippings and septic systems. For this to be achieved you will need to leave a 10 to 20 foot strip around the pond unmown. This will provide a dense thicket of plants that will take up and remove the nutrients before they enter the pond.

Secondly, restrict fertilizer use where runoff can enter the pond. Thirdly, keep livestock, geese and large groups of ducks away from the pond water. This can be achieved you have to fence off the majority of the pond and allow a small portion of the pond to serve as a watering lane.

To control algae by chemical means is to use an algaecide. There numerous algaecides on the market and labeled for use in private pond water. You can purchase an algaecide from your local farm feed and seed store. Active algaecide ingredients include copper, copper sulfate and diquat.

These chemical controls will do an outstanding job of getting rid of the algae. Please be mindful about the amount of algaecide you use on your pond, Contact your local county extension agent for assistance because you do not want to create a fish kill by removing to much oxygen from the pond water.

If you would like more information on how to properly care for your pond or lake please don't hesitate to call the Lincoln Co. Extension Office at 706 359 3233 or stop by 288 NE Peachtree St. Lincolnton, Ga 30817.

BRONZE BEGONIAS

Bronze-leaved varieties of begonias do particularly well in full sun, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Keep the foliage dry, and provide good air circulation around the plants.

PINCHING MUMS

If you've been pinching back your mums this summer, mid-July is the time to stop, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. That will give them time to develop flower buds for the fall.

MULCH BOOST

Mulch helps trees and shrubs grow faster than grass or ground covers, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. In three experiments across the country, researchers have shown that a number of trees and shrubs, including dogwood, forsythia, Burford holly, Japanese black pine and cottonwood, grew significantly less when ground covers and grasses grew up to the trunk.

TEND TO BERRIES

After harvesting your strawberries, remove excess runners and any unhealthy crowns, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service.

TIP DIE-BACK Tip die-back of redbud (Cercis canadensis) may be caused by saturated soil, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Redbuds are very intolerant of "wet feet" caused by prolonged wet soil and high humidity.

TOMATO SEX Tomatoes are self-pollinating. But they still need movement to transfer pollen, say experts with the University of Georgia Extension Service. If it's hot and calm for several days, gently shake plants to assure pollen transfer and fruit set. Hot temperatures can interfere with blossom set, too.