Seaweed Fertilizer: It's Not a New Thing

As long as humans have planted and harvested, fertilizer has played a role in agricultural production. Innumerable kinds of fertilizer have been experimented with in the quest for a bigger and better harvest. Some have been more successful than others. As strange as it may seem, seaweed fertilizer is among the most valued ways to improve soil quality.

For centuries, coastal regions around the world have relied on seaweed fertilizer. In England, in the Channel Islands, there is actually a trade specifically dedicated to harvesting and drying seaweed. Then it's used for a variety of products, including garden fertilizer.

Seaweed was also popular as a fertilizer in Ireland. The soil would be lifted up in rows, the seaweed laid down, and then the soil would be replaced. It's lost some of its popularity today, but it was commonly used for growing potatoes back then. The coastal regions of Ireland continue to count seaweed and kelp as a major industry to this day.

Seaweed is a remarkably effective way to improve the soil quality of a garden. The reason behind this is that the large bodies of water that are home to seaweed contain every element known to mankind. These elements become part of the seaweed as well, and are then passed along to the benefit of your garden soil.

Environmentally conscious gardeners are particularly attracted to seaweed fertilizer. This is because it's an all-natural plant based product which can be added to the soil along with other organic kinds of fertilizer. It doesn’t carry the stigma of many of the commercial products that are full of chemicals. These products frequently contain dubious ingredients. As well, the production of these products releases a considerable amount of pollutants into the air.

Similar to mulch, you can put seaweed fertilizer right on top of the soil. Place it around and in between the plants. You'll find that it breaks down very rapidly.

You can also include it in your compost pile. It will assist in the decomposition process and will add valuable nutrients. As well, both the powder and liquid forms can be made into a tea-like solution. Then you gently spray the mixture on the leaves, thereby providing them with a readily available source of nutrition.

Seaweed has a long and fruitful history in gardens throughout the world. If you're fortunate enough to live near a large body of water, you can probably find it at the water's edge. But for the rest of us, a visit to the local garden center is almost as easy. Ask for kelp meal or other types of seaweed fertilizers. Since you're there, try to get some advice on how to use it for maximum effect in your garden.