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Hooo boy did I get blowback on my praise of algae. Thank you to my listeners!!! You made me want to do a deeper dive and, as always, too much of a good thing turns into a bad thing.
This is from the University of Minnesota extension: Algae occur naturally in almost all surface waters. They are an essential source of food for many aquatic organisms and come in many shapes and forms.
Under the right temperature and water conditions, blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) can grow very rapidly and form extremely high-density populations or “blooms.” These colonies can then float to the water surface and form a dense layer of scum.
True green algae are harmless, stringy plant-like organisms while blue-green algae blooms often appear as pea soup, spills of green paint, or thick scum in warm, calm water, frequently in mid-to-late summer, and can pose severe health risks to people and pets.
More frequent harmful algae blooms may be triggered by a number of factors including urban and agricultural runoff as well as climate change. The blue-green stage is clearly NOT a good thing and occurs generally in summer when our temperatures are hot, heating up the water to about 75 degrees and calm, sunny days.
Harmful algae can be found everywhere in my home state of Minnesota, but thrive in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes. They will often be found on the downwind side of a lake or in a secluded bay or shoreline as you can see in the photo above.
Warning for people and pets: Do NOT go into any body of water with blue-green algae. It is toxic!
The following is from Waterfront Restoration which covers Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois: keep ecological balance. Although sometimes considered nuisances, pond weeds and algae play pivotal roles in aquatic ecosystems. They contribute to oxygen production, serve as food sources, and provide habitats for a diversity of aquatic life.
So it all boils down to balance. Just as in our lives, balance is key to happiness.
Contact me at tkgardenbite@gmail.com with any questions on any garden topic!