Maintaining a Reedbed
Reedbeds are a natural living system, which will last many years with a little care.
WEEDS - Keep them weeded. Remove any nettles, thistles, docks, chickweed, making sure you do not remove the Reed Plants themselves. This is basic gardening for any newly planted area. DO NOT use weed killer or strimmer!!
WATER - Water is essential!!! Water them in the first few weeks if they look dry. We are not responsible for plant death due to systems not being connected or watered sufficiently.
FOREIGN ITEMS - Do not allow your tank system to discharge nappies, sanitary items, wipes, condoms, grease or sludge onto the reedbed. They will not decompose, are unsightly, and will smell.
PLANTS - It is important that the green top growth is allowed to grow fully, do not cut back the brown ‘dead’ top growth in winter. New seasons shoots appear from May onwards.
POROSITY - Occasionally, gently fork over the top 3 inches of soil to maintain porosity, particularly after hard frosts or prolonged rain, in the first two years. If a small area of water appears slow to disperse, insert a garden fork into the top 4 inches of soil to assist drainage. Loosen areas “walked on” whilst working on the bed.
INFLOW - Inflow MUST be a little and often, and not all at once, or a constant flow.
If you suspect there is a problem, please contact us for remedial advice, we are always happy to help.
Failure to follow these instructions is not the responsibility of us.
Looking After your Reedbeds
Melvyn Rutter Reedbeds reduce pollutants by 50% on installation, rising to 95% within 3 months, depending on the time of year. We avoid building Reedbeds in frosts and droughts.
Following our “How to Look After Your Reedbeds” information ,also makes sure the beds are watered when dry and weeded when weedy. This is simple gardening. Allowing weeds to dominate the beds, especially in dry conditions, will see the weeds out compete the reeds, and cause all sort of problems.
We have been back to old reedbeds, maybe 9 or 10 years old. They are still working as well as they did when they were first installed. It is entirely possible for Melvyn Rutter Reedbeds to continue to work, for as long as they are used for the purpose they were built.
Tendering the Reedbeds while they establish, will make for a good working waste water treatment system.
"It costs nothing to call to have a chat about waste water problems. Between us we should be able to find solutions, and save a few bob in the process. No heavy sales pitch. I always leave you with time to consider your options.
Always happy to offer free advice"
