There are over 12,000 varieties of plants in the ocean, and seaweed is just one of them. Seaweed has been show to be a valuable additive to organic gardening. It is abundantly available for people living along the coast. This invaluable gift from Mother Earth can even serve as organic mulching material. If you don’t know how to use seaweed as fertilizer, then just read through this article.

When collecting seaweed, caution must be observed, particularly in areas that are prone to pollution, like downriver of industrial operations, as seaweed is very vulnerable to contamination. Seaweed, especially laminaria, kelp or bladder wrack, can be added to a compost heap or can be applied as mulch. Seaweeds are not only regarded as an excellent activator, but they also bind soil crumbs. If there is no fresh seaweed available, there are commercially made items mostly in the form of dried “meal” or concentrated liquid extract.

If you prefer to use seaweed extract, it can be used in a foliar spray form. When applied, the plant leaves absorb the liquid solution. For more beneficial information about the uses of seaweed, read on below.

1. Make a liquid seaweed solution. Combine 2 tablespoons of seaweed liquid extract and 2 gallons of water. Use a clean milk jug to mix the solution thoroughly. After mixing, store the solution in a dry and cool area. You now have a foliar spray, which you can apply directly to the soil or to the plant leaves.

2. Spray in the morning. Fill a spray bottle with the solution. For easy absorption by the plant leaves, apply finer mists rather than larger quantities. The spraying should be done, preferably, in the morning while the pores of the leaves are still open. Make sure to spray onto the foliage, including the underside of every leaf. After spraying, avoid rinsing since the plants need to absorb the liquid seaweed solution.

3. Apply directly to the soil. Combine 4 tablespoons of liquid seaweed extract and 2 quarts of water. Mix thoroughly in a plastic container or soda bottle. This solution should be good for potted plants and other house plants. Depending on the plant size, apply nearly 1 to 2 cups of the solution directly to the soil. The plant should not be allowed to sit in the liquid extract. Thus, when the liquid solution has drained through, pull back the plant.

4. Apply to seed beds. Combine 2 tablespoons of liquid seaweed extract and 2 quarts of water. Mix thoroughly. The mixture should be applied directly to the seed beds before planting. Use a shovel to incorporate the solution into the soil. Thereafter, plant as usual. Surely, your plants will grow healthy and vigorous.

5. Use fresh seaweed as mulch. Apply on your garden a layer of at least 5 inches of fresh seaweed. Don’t think that this quantity is excessive. Over time, the seaweed will significantly shrink and deteriorate. After gathering fresh seaweeds, they must be utilized as garden mulch within the next 24 hours. Seaweeds have no cellulose, thus, they break down easily.

Generally, seaweed has over 70 minerals, enzymes, and vitamins. If you are into organic farming, using seaweed fertilizers is significantly useful since they contain almost all kinds of micro-nutrients. They have carbohydrates and deliver an enriched amount of natural plant hormones. The carbohydrates content of seaweed is vital for plants to build blocks, which are used by beneficial micro-organisms as a food source.

Using liquid seaweed fertilizer is very useful, especially in promoting additional plant buds. It does not only extend the shelf life of vegetables and fruits, but also lengthens the life-span of cut flowers when sprayed two days before cutting. Many gardeners want to discover the ways on how to use seaweed as fertilizer since it is good for early seedling vigor, root growth, germination, and helps counter diseases and pests on lawns, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.