I've read that seaweed is really good in the garden and has many benefits. The Royal Horticultural Society says it's a good substitute for farmyard manure.
I'm wondering if it's acceptable to take seaweed from the beach, however, from articles I've read it seems ok to do this. In any case, there's a beach not too far from where I live so I collected a bucket of it to use around the flower beds. As I was doing this, I was wondering if the seaweed would provide a hiding place for slugs and snails? Time will tell.
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| Above: seaweed spread around some new flower beds. Apparently seaweed shouldn't be dug into the soil but left on top. I've read that if it's dug into the soil it has a negative effect on the soil's nitrogen. However, left on top, it doesn't affect the nitrogen but provides the soil with trace minerals and hormones that stimulate plant growth . Speaking of seaweed... how you ever tried a seaweed bath?Seaweed baths are quite popular in Ireland and I had one recently and it was fantastic. A big bathtub filled with seaweed (like the seaweed pictured above). There is an oily, almost slimy, liquid that comes off the seaweed that is supposed to be good for the hair and skin. I would recommend it! Does anyone else use seaweed in the garden? |
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I've seen on TV other gardeners living by the coast using seaweed. Unfortunately for us we are about 60 miles away from the coast. I do use a liquid fertiliser containing concentrated seaweed which seems to give good results. At least that's just a trip to the garden centre.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered about collecting some myself. Or rather ask Mike to collect me some when he goes fishing. I expect the saltiness would put the slugs off especially as it dries, I look forward to seeing how it does for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat about salt?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind having seaweed in the garden but I don't think I could bring myself to share a bath with it!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered whether the seawater makes seaweed salty and so adversely affects plants if gathered fresh. As Joanne says, one thing if it is salty the slugs will stay away. Maybe you can solve this for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen we lived in Cornwall, my Dad always used to put seaweed on the garden. He reckoned it helped a lot. I seem to remember that he hosed off the worst of the salt before applying it. As it happens, the presence of salt would probably help with deterring slugs. I don't like the sound of the seaweed bath - I'll leave that sort of thing to the ladies!
ReplyDeleteI always imagined that it had to be composted first it will be interesting to see what the results are and if you see a big improvement. Seaweed bath - yuk!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Kelly! I haven't heard about the good influence of seaweed onto the soil but definately heard/used seaweed in the bathroom ;)
ReplyDeleteI know the farmers who grow the Jersey Royal potatoes use seaweed as a fertilizer on the beds they grow the spuds in. They just lay it on the soil as you've done rather than digging it in. I don't like the sound of a seaweed bath, though I'm not one who goes in for a lot of pampering.
ReplyDeleteHello Kelli. I don't live close enough to the coast to collect much seaweed, but I think if I did I might try it. I will be interested to see how you get on with it. I actually think I could be persuaded to try a seaweed bath - I was converted to Dead Sea mud at a spa once and I never thought I would be!
ReplyDeleteLucky you having a local supply of seaweed! There's only one danger with seaweed and it's not salt - it is how close the nearest sewage outlet is! I stopped collecting seaweed when I figured out why there were elastic bands mixed in it.
ReplyDeleteWell, this is very interesting. I hadn't heard of seaweed as fertilizer or of a seaweed bath!
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