Spring is one of the best times to start controlling weeds in your pond. If you had problems with them last year the odds are you will again this year and spring time is a good time to get a jump on controlling them. A healthy pond needs aquatic plants but too many can limit the ponds use and hurt the fish population by cause an imbalance between the various species you have.

 There are two ways of weed control, chemical and mechanical. Both work better when you start early when plants are just starting to grow and haven’t reached their maximum height. Waiting until later in the season when plants are tall and thick control will be difficult to achieve will take longer and could cause harm to your fish.

  Herbicides will control the weeds chemically by killing them. More times than not you will have to retreat the pond several times to get season-long control. Make sure to follow the directions so you don’t over apply.

  Follow these five steps with any herbicide application: 1) correctly identify the plant to be controlled; 2) measure the area to be treated (surface area and average depth); 3) read the herbicide label to determine the correct timing and amount to apply; 4) identify possible restrictions on uses of the water (e.g., irrigation or watering animals) and 5) apply according to label directions. All aquatic herbicides work best if applied on a calm, sunny morning.

  For those of that don’t like the idea of your fish swimming in poisonous chemicals, removing the plants mechanically is the alternative.

  Mechanical methods include bottom blanketing, shading, removal, and water draw-down. Weighted commercial blankets are available or use thick black plastic weighted down over an area. To be effective, keep it in place at least 30 days. Make sure to puncture it to allow gases to escape.

 Shading consists of applying a pond dye early on to reduce the amount of light the plants need to grow. There are many dyes, black and blue, available. Aquashade and Admiral are the only products labeled by the EPA to limit plant growth so choose wisely. You’ll have to re-apply them throughout the spring and summer as inflowing water will dilute them and they break down from sunlight. Also, dyes work best in small ponds. If you have questions or concerns about applying dyes, consult your local county conservation office or farm bureau.

  Removal is a cheap way to eliminate plants from your pond. It can be done by rakes, cutters or even by hand. There are several types of rakes on the market. Some look like giant garden rakes that are dragged across the bottom then onto shore to dispose of the weeds. Others are drummed shaped that you drag or tow behind a boat that “dig” up the plants roots and all. You’ll then have to drag them out onto the bank.

 Cutters are just that. They cut the plants off at the base. Again, you’ll have to drag them out.

 Draw-down is probably the cheapest way of controlling plants. Basically you draw the water level down the expose the plants so they will freeze and/or dry out limiting their growth in months to come. This method is best done in the fall so you have the cold winter months working for you. Through the winter you can drag out the dead stuff and cut and/or spray the remaining plants. When spring comes, the pond can naturally refill from the spring rains.

  Find more information on aquatic plant identification and control on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website at www.iowadnr.gov/ponds or consult your state’s DNR. A link to them can be found at www.backwoodsbound.com/stgamedepts.html.

  Thanks to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for being a source for this article. Visit them at www.iowadnr.gov for all things outdoor in Iowa.

  There I stood in the examining room; naked as a jaybird and feeling sick as a dog. The doctor stopped listening to my heart and said, "You seem to be as strong as an ox. What is it you think is wrong?"

 I answered, "My nerves are frazzled and my appetite is shot. I've been eating like a bird lately. I wish I could just pig out on some pizza or wolf down a big steak with a whale of a lot of potatoes and gravy on the side. It’s really buggin’ me!”

 Good ole Doc Lichenstein nodded his head, cleaned his glasses and asked why my nerves were bothering me. I told him.

 "It's this guy in my office. That wolf in sheep's clothing is trying to weasel into my job. He tries to make me look bad. He's always badgering my secretary, who's getting pretty antsy. He horses around with my computer, just bulls his way into my office and is always trying to out-fox me. He's nothing but a low-down, stinking skunk!"

 Dr. Lichenstein patted my shoulder and told me I needed to just play possum. "Hold your horses; I've seen his kind before. Those squirrels screw up sooner or later. Everybody has a snake in the grass working around them, but you know a leopard can't change his spots. Ferret out his weaknesses and make a monkey out of him. He'll let the cat out of the bag and his game will be up. You'll end up looking good in the cat bird's seat and maybe get the lion's share of the recognition. You know what they always say, every dog has his day!"

  I began to feel better knowing what a wise old owl Doc Lichenstein was.

  "Thanks, Doc. You're a good egg and I'll take your advice," I said.

  "That guy is just a jackass and I'm not going to let him get my goat!"

  I left the Doctor's office feeling happy as a lark and suddenly hungry as a bear!

  Back at the office I walked right up and goosed that turkey. Then told him he'd better keep in mind that I had a memory like an elephant. He better not mess with me anymore. I would be keeping an eagle eye on him, watching him like a hawk. He better not try to get into a game of chicken with me!

  All the rat could do was give me a sheepish grin and made tracks back to his lair.

  Last month I posted an editorial about the subject of the rash of mass murders in the country and the call for more regulations on firearms. We received several replies from our readers with their views on the subject. Here they are, unedited, for your reading. And if you want to weigh in on this subject we’d love to hear from you but please, let’s stay civil. Let’s respect others and not spread hate. There’s enough of that in the world. – James Burns, Editor

  Your opening hit a nerve with me. The thing that bothers me the most about the gun situation in America is this. I can truly see why people in the city are wanting gun control. The part that really bothers me is that most of them either can't or won't try to see my side. I grew up with firearms and hunt and compete with them regularly. I pay my taxes and obey the law. I've not had as much as a traffic ticket in 25 years. I fail to see why I'm part of the problem.

  Remember this. Elmer Fudd’s shotgun was taken from him for the sake of political correctness. Your shotgun could be next. The fact that you would throw your fellow gun owners under the bus to have the mistaken view that the Left will compromise truly scares me. Many good men and women have died to protect our rights and freedoms. Apparently they died in vain. In closing I leave you with this to ponder. Herr Biden hates the NRA and all gun owners. The NRA is and always has been its members. If Biden hates me because I own a gun and am an NRA member it's only fitting he really shouldn't be surprised that I would never vote for him. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. – Tim Bradley

  This is my response to "Gun Control" we already have it on the books. What we do not have is crime control. Detroit, one on the toughest cities to legally get a gun, murders SKYROCKET EVERY year. Same thing in Philly, the city of "Brotherly Love"! Red flags are raised but nothing happens. Bails are removed, criminals walk away sometime to commit new crimes within hours of being freed.

  Law abiding citizens are NOT responsible for gun shootings any more than automobile owners are responsible to drunk driving death. Ice cream manufactures are not responsible for obesity. It is not a gun problem, it’s a heart problem. (Cain used a ROCK, not a gun to kill his brother Able.) Thank you for making available this opportunity to share. God loves you. That's all there is to it. – Gary Ducharme

 Hello, Mr. James,

  Received the new BBB this morning, nice way to start my day and I thank you for what you do.

  Your editorial is right on the money. The problem isn't the availability of guns; it's the reason these people are doing these terrible things. I'm sure you recall as do I how easy it was to obtain a firearm when I was a youth. As a matter of fact I was given a single shot .22 for my tenth birthday.

 The thing that should be addressed is why, not how. There is something seriously wrong with our society when so many young people are so unhappy or maladjusted that they resort to mass killings. It's almost understandable when you realize that from the time they are just becoming cognizant of the world around them they are exposed to senseless violence. They play games where they are rewarded and win by building up a body count. Communication is usually done via a treantglular screen with an image, not a flesh and blood person. The disconnect begins to occur early.

  Blaming the guns is like blaming the car a drunk used to destroy someone's life. We need to figure out why. Sorry, I too suffer from occasional soapboxitis. The rest of the BBB is just as usual - pretty dang good!

 Thanks again,
 Jerry Ison