Organic Seaweed Fertilizer

There are scores of different fertilizers available in the market, each one having its own unique properties. However, organic seaweed fertilizers top the list of best fertilizers, as they have several benefits and negligible drawbacks. Fertilizers are basically used to complement the soil by providing all the essential nutrients that are missing in the soil, which help in increasing the quality and quantity of harvest.

People these days prefer the use of organic fertilizers, to prevent the hazardous effects of chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are environment friendly and contain rich amounts of all the essential soil nutrients. Moreover, they are much cheaper and easily available.

What is Organic Seaweed Fertilizer?

These are made from seaweeds such as kelp, bladderwrack or laminaria. But those made from kelp are the ones which are used predominantly. Organic seaweed fertilizers provide certain important minerals and starch to the soil. They also provide amino acids and some trace elements that are beneficial for the soil. Another benefit of using this fertilizer is that when the seaweed breaks down, it act as a substrate for the micro-organisms to feed on. The micro-organisms tend to break down the soil which helps in better assimilation by the roots, making them strong and healthy. The nutrients in the seaweeds get dispersed in the soil, when they break down and can easily be absorbed by the plants. Seaweed fertilizers come in different forms and ways of application. Some can be applied directly, while others need to be processed before application. Commercially prepared fertilizers are easily available at most nurseries and prove beneficial for those who cannot gather seaweeds easily. However, if you live in coastal areas, you can collect seaweeds easily and make your own organic fertilizer from seaweed.

How to Make Organic Seaweed Fertilizer

Making your own seaweed fertilizer is an easy alternative to buying fertilizers. It is a simple process and does not require any expensive materials. Follow these simple steps to make your own seaweed fertilizer.

Collect about 2 to 3 pounds of seaweed from your local beach. This will be enough for a small garden for the entire summer. Rinse the seaweed well with water. This helps in removing the extra salt from the seaweed, which may harm your plants. You could soak the seaweed in water for some time. Now, place the seaweed in a glass container and add water to it, twice the amount of seaweed. Cover the container with a lid and leave it undisturbed for 2 to 3 months. Wait till the water turns brackish brown, which is an indication of disintegration of seaweed. Mix it with equal amount of freshwater and apply while watering, every one to two weeks.

Although seaweed is rich in potassium and other trace elements, it has a very low content of nitrogen and phosphorus. Adding fish emulsion, which is rich in nitrogen and phosphates to the seaweed-water mixture, makes it a perfect fertilizer containing all the essential elements. Organic seaweed fertilizer can be used for soil treatment before planting. It can also be applied as a foliar spray, directly on the plant or can be poured into the soil around the base of the plant.

Seaweed fertilizers should be used in combination with other organic fertilizers for better results. Hope you found the information useful!