You may have consumed seaweed in the form of crispy snacks or wrapped around sushi, but did you know that seaweed fertilizer can also nourish the plants in your garden?
Seaweed is an umbrella term that includes many different types of multicellular algae that grow in our oceans. This primitive group of plants has over 10,000 species. Seaweed differs from the plants we grow terrestrially in two important ways. First, all cells of a species of algae can photosynthesize. Second, algae don't have a system in which roots help absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Algal cells can absorb nutrients directly from the surrounding water.
Algae have an important cultural and ecological value. They are valuable ingredients that are used in various traditional cuisines, and their manufacture is an important industry for many coastal states. Algae, including the giant kelp, provide food and shelter for other marine species. Additionally, their ability to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to biomass through photosynthesis and their rapid growth rate compared to terrestrial plants can make them a major player in sequestering carbon and combating climate change.
Promoting the demand for more seaweed products through fertilizers, groceries, and other uses can fuel the growth of this industry. When incorporating seaweed fertilizer into your garden, choose a product that supports regenerative agriculture of land and sea.
Good algae fertilizers to try in your garden:
What is seaweed manure?
Seaweed fertilizer can be a powerful tool in a gardener's arsenal. Source: calm
Seaweed fertilizers are products made from seaweed and approved for organic use. These are natural soil changes from sustainable sources. In particular, brown algae species such as ascophyllum, ecklonia (seaweed) and fucus are most common in fertilizers. The two most common seaweed fertilizers are seaweed meal and "liquid seaweed fertilizer". Unlike chemical fertilizers, natural algae fertilizers contain large amounts of micronutrients, minerals, and other organic substances that promote healthier plants. Using seaweed in your garden is a great way to promote plant vitality, produce abundant fruits and vegetables, while also improving soil quality by helping beneficial microorganisms.
Benefits of seaweed fertilizer
The many benefits of using seaweed products in agriculture have been extensively researched and documented. High quality algae fertilizers are best known as a source of micronutrients. Of the seven micronutrients (boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn)), algae extracts (mainly obtained from brown) are algae Asophyllum nodousm) can in particular improve the supply of plants with zinc and manganese and strengthen the defense of plants against stress factors.
Cold spring soil temperatures are a major limitation for gardeners in temperate climates around the world. Cold temperatures can inhibit the growth of plants by inhibiting their root development. Studies have shown that micronutrients have the potential to help tender seedlings during their early stages of growth. The addition of micronutrients can encourage root growth in both density and length to prepare the plant for success for the remainder of the season. Micronutrients can also be deficient in soils with poor drainage, poor structure or too high or too low a pH value. If this is the case for your soil, you can condition the soil by adding seaweed fertilizer.
Algae also contain natural plant growth hormones auxin, cytokinins and gibberellins. Each of these hormones are essential bio-stimulants that promote plant health. Auxin is known for its beneficial effects on roots and is used in synthetic root hormones. Cytokinins trigger rapid cell division and aid in new growth, including roots, flowers, and fruits. Gibberellins can stimulate germination and support the development of stems and flowers. Plants that are grown in soils with added algae extract show better germination, increased plant growth, resistance to pathogens and a better fruit yield.
Many forms of seaweed are used to make liquid or dry seaweed fertilizers. Source: Kevin Doncaster
To illustrate the value of these fertilizers, commercial olive growers have reported elevated levels of fatty acids in olive oil pressed from olive trees that have received algal changes. Scientists have also reported the beneficial effects of these organic fertilizers on disease and insect pests for a range of crops. In a study with strawberries and beets, weekly foliar application suppressed the spread of powdery mildew and gray mold. Other studies have also reported antifungal properties in plants such as tobacco and antibacterial properties in cotton.
Liquid algae sprays also appear to reduce the number of aphids and spider mites. A liquid algae extract can also help reduce nematode root damage in tomato plants, both as a foliar spray and as a soil soak at the time of transplant. All of these results suggest that the benefits of using seaweed in agriculture go beyond providing micronutrients to stimulate biochemical changes at the cellular level.
Cons of seaweed fertilizer
Seaweed contains very low levels of NPK. Regardless of whether you are buying a liquid or powdered product, you should be able to find that product's NPK ratio on its packaging. Because of the limited macronutrients in seaweed fertilizers, you may need to use things like liquid fish manure or fish meal. There are also commercially available fortified liquid algae products with pre-added nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These fortified liquid algae fertilizer formulas are usually tailored for specific crops.
Use of algae fertilizers
Freshly harvested algae should be soaked and rinsed thoroughly to remove salt. Source: siaronj
The powder form of seaweed manure can be sprinkled on the ground, mixed into potting soil, or diluted to make a nutrient-rich tea. Typically, these powder fertilizers are often sold as natural seaweed meal or seaweed fertilizer and are available online or at local gardening stores. They are easy to store and have a longer shelf life than liquid fertilizers.
Liquid fertilizers are likely more expensive than powder fertilizers, but can be used throughout the growing season. These are typically concentrated liquid seaweed and must be diluted before use. Follow the recommended dilution ratio on the back of the product packaging. It will likely only take a few tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of water. Diluted liquid seaweed manure can be used to soak the roots of grafts. Leave the seedlings or plants in their original pots and place the pots with the seaweed solution in a larger container. Let the plants soak up the fertilizer for 1-2 hours or even overnight. This action is similar to ground irrigation plants and is one of the best ways to deliver nutrients directly to the roots.
Liquid fertilizers can also be watered into the ground or sprayed onto leaves. Make sure you don't apply it before it rains. Plants absorb some of the nutrients in fertilizer through their leaves. Liquid fertilizer can be used on a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, and even potted plants. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using the fertilizer during the growing season, do a test application before applying it throughout the garden.
DIY seaweed fertilizer tips
Collecting seaweed for DIY fertilizer is an option if you are near the beach. Source: Rob
There are many benefits to using seaweed fertilizers, but the costs can be high. Fortunately, it's easy to make your own. If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, check with your local government or beach administration office about harvesting seaweed for home use. You can make it a day by fishing and collecting future manure at the same time!
Common varieties of red, green, and brown types can all be used in DIY fertilizers. When collecting seaweed in the wild, practice high tide to ensure that you are only getting washed seaweed. Make sure that the algae do not adhere to rock substrates so as not to disturb potential habitats or food sources for native wildlife. The timing of your collection is also important. Different types of marine life, such as wild herring, can spawn on kelp. Even if the kelp breaks off and washes ashore, herring eggs can survive, so it is important not to pick kelp during the spawning season. The spawning season for herrings is February and March; This timing may be different for other wildlife.
Unless you live near an ocean or don't want to collect your own seaweed, you can easily buy dried seaweed online or from Asian grocery stores, although it is much more expensive that way. Read the packaging carefully. Processed or roasted seaweed is sold for consumption in stores in May. However, for this project you need to find 100% natural and dried organic seaweed. Avoid roasted or fried products as they are coated with oils that you don't want to add to the garden.
The first step for all of the methods listed below is to soak and wash the algae to remove any salt build-up, stones, and shells on their surface!
Mulch & compost
An algae mulch adds a lot of valuable organic matter to the soil. Source: Rob & # 39; n & # 39; Rae
Fresh seaweed can be used as mulch at the end of the growing season. As an organic material, seaweed degrades over time and conditions the soil before the following growing season. Spread a layer of soaked and rinsed fresh seaweed 1 to 2 inches deep on the surface of garden beds. Some potato growers also have success with putting a layer of seaweed in their potato trench, followed by a layer of compost before soaking the seed potato. This method ensures that the nutrients are readily available as the algae break down into the soil near the plant roots.
Seaweed can also be composted and is considered a “green” material in your compost heap or compost beaker. You may want to cut the seaweed into pieces 1 to 2 inches long to speed up the composting process to a few weeks. Put the algae in your compost heap with other natural plant materials. Seaweed is a compost accelerator because it contains a smaller amount of cellulose that is found in other plant substances.
liquid
Liquid seaweed fertilizer is a fast-acting type of plant-based food that helps make nutrients immediately available. There are several different ways to make liquid fertilizer, but some stink more than others. The traditional method is to fill a large bucket, such as a 5-gallon bucket, with seaweed and water. Put a lid on the mixture and let it sit for a few weeks to make the fertilizer liquid. This is a method of set and forget, but the smell can be very pungent. Another faster method is to use a food processor to finely chop seaweed. Then soak the pieces of algae in water overnight so that they can be used immediately for indoor and outdoor plants. This solution will start to smell if left too long.
Enjoy the meal
After the kelp has been rinsed off of salt and other debris, hang the kelp in the sun to dry or use a dehydrator over low heat to dry it completely until crispy. Dried seaweed can then be pulverized into a meal or powder using a heavy duty blender. Sprinkle the meal or powder directly into the soil or dilute it with water. Accompany it with a dried fish fertilizer for better plant thrust.
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