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 Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:28 am
Hey folks! Lately, I have been looking into ways to better improve my garden and I stumbled onto a bit about the use of seaweed. Now I live right on a bay so I'd have no problem getting some, but I was wondering if I should use it? And if so, how do I?
n_n Any tips for the newbie gardener would be wonderful, thank you!
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:41 am
It sounds to me like seaweed would work very much like fish emulsion, as a general fertilizer when added to the soil. I honestly haven't heard about it before. If you could provide more info that would be awesome.
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:58 am
I'm pretty far from the ocean here, so I haven't used seaweed in the garden, but it does wonders for your skin! I added some to a batch of soap a few years ago, and loved it. Seaweed soaks at the spas are a big deal. Maybe you want to add some to the tub? Kelp is a standard supplement for a low thyroid, because of the iodine it contains. I bet a little research would turn up all kinds of uses for seaweed----in addition to sushi!
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:21 pm
sunsetsmile I'm pretty far from the ocean here, so I haven't used seaweed in the garden, but it does wonders for your skin! I added some to a batch of soap a few years ago, and loved it. Seaweed soaks at the spas are a big deal. Maybe you want to add some to the tub? Kelp is a standard supplement for a low thyroid, because of the iodine it contains. I bet a little research would turn up all kinds of uses for seaweed----in addition to sushi! I use seaweed soap as well as lettuce soap >__> So i cant see it hurting your garden, why dont you do a test trial and tell us what happens?
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:27 pm
Onicoe:
sweatdrop Aye, that was mentioned to me as well. Frankly, I have never heard of even using a fish emulsion before this week. I'll be looking into this a bit more, but the reason I was asking is that I have a pumpkin patch that is floundering. It was created by accident and I didn't think it would survive this long, so I am having to teach myself how to care for them. I was told that they need fertilizer and damp soil..
Sunsetsmile:
biggrin Really? That is great, heh. The only application that I have actually heard of beforehand was sushi. :3 I should pass on supplement tip on to my Grandmother who has issues with a low thyroid.
Thanks to both of you for answering!
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:08 pm
Update: I took your advice, Pixie! Today I am testing out the seaweed in my garden. I put it around my pumpkin sprouts and my tomato plant to start. I hoping things will go well and I keep ya'll informed on my progress. n_n I also found a helpful site which I found pretty informative. Seaweed and Kelp: How Ocean plants help out garden plants..
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:29 pm
Seaweed is excellent in gardens, but mainly it is found in nurseries sold as liquid kelp or powdered kelp (the liquid is generally more concentrated). If you use it strait from the beach, first, don't expect miracles- it is a mild fertilizer when purchased in concentrated form, you will probably see results much like when you add compost to your garden. Second, don't forget to rinse the salt from the seawater off of the seaweed before you use it, since the salt will harm rather than help your garden.
Some other great organic fertilizers:
manure (stinky, but very effective)
bat guano (yeah, bat pooh, less stinky and still effective)
fish emulsion (is guess what? fish poo! VERY stinky, but works wonders
Microlife (beneficial micro-organisms, a mild fertilizer: 6-2-4)
alfalfa meal
cottonseed meal
gypsum (a natural calcium supplement- prevents blossom end-rot in tomatoes)
Molasses
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:50 am
Hm, thank you for the helpful information and I did rise the seaweed before I used it. The only reason I hesitate when it comes to using any type of manure is because my garden beds are right outside the house windows. However, I will keep these tips handy when I expand my garden away from the house.
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:53 am
Manure used for fertilizing is generally seasoned, meaning it's left in a big pile for a while to break down. There's only a mild smell as compared to fresh manure.
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:09 am
You can always add manure to the compost pile.
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:33 am
Update: biggrin The plants that I used the Seaweed on are doing great, they are healthy and growing well. I am pleased with the results I am seeing.
However, this week I am faced with a different problem that I could use some advice on. You see, the neighborhood Cats' are using my garden beds for litter boxes and they are digging up my plants. Is there any way to deter them? Some type of fencing or what not..?
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:53 pm
Fencing never worked for me- animals always went over it or through it. Try instead mixing 1 tbs (tablespoon) of cayenne pepper with 1 c (cup) of flour and sprinkling it on and around your plants. When the kitties (and other critters) get the pepper on their paws it stings a bit, and they certainly don't like the taste if they get it in their mouths. It won't sicken the animals or your plants. The downside is that every time you water or it rains you will have to redo it. Personally, I got sick of doing this and planted all my more tender plants in pots or near thorny plants (ie roses, citrus) which seems to have worked for the most part.
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:28 pm
:3 I see, thank you for the answer. I shall try the fencing for sure, but the powder mixture I am unsure about since it rains quite often here and I am a tad lazy when it comes to such things. xD
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:44 pm
Garden update!
Everything that I used the seaweed on is doing very well, I am glad to say.
As of this morning things are looking good. My strawberry plants are going bonkers, growing big and producing a handful of healthy strawberries nearly everyday. The tomato plant is finally starting to bud and the pumpkin plant is doing wonderfully too. My roses are blooming, but are having a little trouble with aphids. My other flowers are doing well. Everything is full of life.
Right now I am considering planting some fruit tree's, most likely apple and cherry. Also, yesterday I rescued a Hydranga plant as well, so I am looking for a location to plant that one as well.
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:19 am
awesome. How did you end up using the seaweed??
Also, we need garden porn.
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