Seaweed products / RHS Gardening (2024)

Seaweed products are useful products for organic gardeners wishing to avoid synthetic fertilisersor fertilisers made from animal products, providing a useful source of potassium, magnesium and trace elements. Seaweed and seaweed fertilisers are usually a sustainable, renewable resource.

Seaweed is rich in trace elements (nutrients that plants only need small amounts of) including iron, manganese, zince, copper and boron, which are often lacking in common fertilisers such as Growmore and fish, blood & bone, but which are nevertheless important for plant health. However most soils have adequate levels of micronutrients. Nowadays there are a number of dried and processed seaweed available on the market. Some liquid seaweed fertilisers may be applied as foliar feeds, where the

Seaweed products / RHS Gardening (1)

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key plant nutrients usually derived from soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are absorbed from the air. Other vital soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Gardeners can add nutrients by applying fertilisers (either artificial or naturally derived) to boost plant growth and improve flowering and fruiting.

nutrients are sprayed onto the foliage and taken up through the leaves.

Fresh seaweed, or dried and processed seaweed products are not true fertilisers because their plant nutrient content is not guaranteed or standardised. However there are more and more fertiliser products available to gardeners that now contain additionalseaweed extracts.

Fresh seaweed has long been used by coastal gardeners as a

Seaweed products / RHS Gardening (2)

Any substance dug into the soil to improve its structure. This is usually organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, garden compost or leafmould, but could be an inert substance such as lime or gypsum.

soil improver and plant feed, but there is no public right to collect seaweed from the beach unless you own the beach and it is not designated a site of special scientific interest or a special area of conservation. If you plan to gather seaweed, it is always advisable to check with the land owner and the local council first.

Although seaweed is salty, the salt is not usually present in sufficient amounts to damage crops or soil, and the salt will in any case leach out readily with rainfall as it is highly soluble.

Some seaweed products claim added benefit because they are said to contain natural plant growth regulators such as cytokinins. These act as a growth stimulant.

Seaweed products / RHS Gardening (2024)

FAQs

Is any seaweed good for the garden? ›

Other uses for seaweed in your garden. You can put kelp, or any seaweed, into a bucket or large glass jar and fill with water. Leave this in the sun, covered, for a few days and your 'tea' will be brewed. Use this as a foliar spray to deter insect pests, or apply directly to the soil around seedlings.

How effective is seaweed fertilizer? ›

Seaweed (Marine algae) extracts have been reported to be beneficial to plants for early seed germination, better plant growth, improved crop yield, and also in preventing biotic and abiotic stress.

What are the disadvantages of seaweed fertilizer? ›

Disadvantages of Seaweed

The trace mineral ratio of kelp or seaweed is not the best. It is low in nitrogen and other minerals. Seaweed or pre composted kelp has the following disadvantages: May have excess salt content and disturb the soil's pH.

How do I apply seaweed liquid to my garden? ›

Shake 3 ml of seaweed extract into 1 litre of water until fully combined, and your solution is ready to use. Pour the solution into your potted plants until it comes out through the drainage hole. This ensures that the nutrients are available even to the deepest roots. Seaweed solution can also be used as a spray.

Which plants don t like seaweed fertiliser? ›

In conclusion, regarding indoor plants that don't like seaweed fertiliser, it's best to steer clear of Peace Lilies, Snake Plants, Spider Plants, Jade Plants, and African Violets. They prefer a different type of nourishment to thrive, like how a fish needs water to swim.

Is seaweed better than fertilizer? ›

Seaweed solutions are a popular additive for plants - but they're not a substitute for fertiliser. Instead, you should think of them as a health tonic for your plants.

Can you feed plants too much seaweed? ›

You can apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic year round, every few weeks, as an overall health treatment, in addition to fertiliser. As a plant tonic it doesn't have an NPK, so you can't overfeed your plants!

Can you use too much seaweed fertilizer? ›

The general recommendation for plants is to apply a seaweed solution once a month. The reason for this is that seaweed contains growth hormones and frequent application can overstimulate cell production and cause flower and growth abnormalities.

Can I use seaweed from the beach as fertilizer? ›

With fresh seaweed: You can also use fresh seaweed to create DIY fertilizer. Harvest seaweed from the beach, bring it home, rinse it, and let it dry in the sun. Then mix it in with other organic matter like veggie scraps, fish emulsion, and dry leaves in a compost bin.

Is seaweed fertilizer good for tomatoes? ›

Moreover, SES increased the hardness of tomato. These results show that the use of seaweed extracts is a suitable method for tomato growth and development in sustainable agricultural systems.

What vegetables benefit from seaweed fertilizer? ›

Studies have shown that seaweed can produce dramatic results in plants including 40 percent increase in yield from cucumbers and potatoes. Plants have been seen to have better frost tolerance, increased seed germination, and a greater ability to absorb trace elements.

What is the problem with seaweed production? ›

Changes to existing ecosystems

Seaweed farms can reduce the amount of light that reaches the seafloor beneath them and could make it challenging for other photosynthetic organisms like seagrass to grow.

Which plants benefit from seaweed? ›

Which Plants Benefit and Which Don't? While roses, tomatoes, and most leafy vegetables respond well to seaweed fertilizer, plants like succulents may not benefit as much.

How do you make garden fertilizer from seaweed? ›

Let the seaweed soak in water for about 8 weeks. Stir the mixture occasionally, and watch water turn brown as the nutrients from the seaweed leach into the solution. The resulting liquid fertiliser will need to be diluted with water before using it on your plants.

Which seaweed fertilizer is best? ›

Nova Zyme being a tonic for plant growth provides all essential nutrients for plant growth. Nova Zyme, a seaweed fertilizer, encourages branching/tillering in plants. This seaweed liquid fertilizer is very well associated with nutrient uptake and growth of plants.

What seaweed is best for garden? ›

Be sure to check with your council or local government first for in some areas it is illegal to take seaweed off the beach. Kelp is generally the best option, but other types of seaweed work great as well.

What seaweed is good for plants? ›

Seaweed fertilisers are organic plant feeds containing extracts of seaweed sustainably derived from the ocean. Ascophyllum nodosum is a variety particularly renowned for its ability to boost overall plant health. Containing beneficial nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, nitrogen and more.

Which seaweed is best for plants? ›

IFFCO Liquid Seaweed Online

Boosts Yield & enhances Plant Quality. Enhances Stress Tolerance from heat, cold, wind, drought and disease.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5803

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.