Seaweed Fertilizer: It's Not a New Thing

Fertilizer has been important to farmers and gardeners as long as they've been cultivating the fields. In the search for ways to improve the quality and quantity of the crop, countless types of fertilizers have been tried. 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.

Seaweed fertilizer has been in use in coastal regions throughout the world for hundreds of years. 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.

In Ireland, seaweed also enjoyed popularity as a fertilizer. 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.

You can make a big difference in the quality of your garden soil by using seaweed. This is because seaweed grows in seas and oceans, where all the elements that are known to exist can be found. Seaweed absorbs these elements and passes them along to the soil when you add it to your garden.

Environmentally conscious gardeners are particularly attracted to seaweed fertilizer. The reason for this is that it's an organic product derived from plants, and can enhance the soil in cooperation with other forms of natural fertilizer. There's no downside to it as there is with so many of the chemical laden commercial fertilizers. 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. It tends to break down quite quickly.

It can also be added to your compost bin. It will add nutrients and help to break down the other ingredients in the mix. As well, both the powder and liquid forms can be made into a tea-like solution. You then mist this concoction onto the leaves to provide another source of nutrients.

The history of seaweed as a fertilizer goes back countless years, everywhere throughout the globe. If you're fortunate enough to live near a large body of water, you can probably find it at the water's edge. However, taking a trip to a nearby nursery is an option for just about everyone. 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.