Got a bagful of seaweed last summer and bunged it in a bucket with water to make fertlizer. Just read an article somewhere that says you have to rinse and dry the stuff first. Any advice please
Rinsing it would be a good idea to get rid of the salt.
Not too sure about drying it though, but it may help to break it up into smaller pieces.
I had a bagful of fresh seaweed last summer, and ended up using it as a mulch around greedy plants like pumpkins. I remember asking on here about washing it first, but the consensus seemed to be that it wasn't necessary. Mine has all degraded into the soil now, no apparent ill effects to the plants mulched with it, so I wouldn't worry about it!
if you've soaked it, and used the liquid there's no problem with putting it on as a mulch. I use the waste from the factory that makes the seaweed concentrate that folk purchase, about an inch thick on my asparagas bed!! (it is a seashore plant)
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I used to get it by the lorry load, it stank and was swarming in flys, but I used to put some layers in the compost and also spread it on the ground where there were no crops then dig it in after a good rain. The salt content is not like rock salt, it has loads of minerals.
Quote from: tonybloke link=topic=47386.msg477270#msg477270 mulch.
I use the waste from the factory that makes the seaweed concentrate that folk purchase,/quote][/b]
Hi Tonybloke, i'm one of those folk that purchase the seaweed meal and you may be able to answer a question for me. In very early Nov i dug a quarter of the plot and then raked in some of the aforesaid seaweed. I sat back and thought about how its supposed to work.I mean, a powder being able to help the humus etc.
Just last weekend i also manured the plot as i'm going to put my brassicas there. Have i broken the rule of no fertilizer with manure ?
Kingston Boy, to answer your question, NO. seaweed is a wonderful addition to the soil, it helps make humus, and contains important hormones (kelp can grow 60-100 metres in 3 months) also slugs don't seem to like it, but brassicas do! ;)