Our seaweed is certified organic and is harvested responsibly in the Hebrides, Scotland. The variety is Ascophyllum nodosum (commonly called Knotted wrack). Unlike anything else on the market, we have this ground to a 0.4 - 1mm particle size for rapid absorption and mineralisation.
What are the benefits of adding seaweed?
There are many benefits to using seaweed as a dry amendment in the garden, and many different ways to use it. Like most organic material, seaweed improves soil structure, increasing soil porosity while also improving moisture retention.
The main nutrients that it contributes are: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as a large variety of secondary elements and trace elements such as: magnesium, calcium, manganese, zinc, boron, plant biostimulants such as: mannitol, alginic acid, laminarin… and amino acids: glutamic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, glycine, proline, lysine, etc. It also contains cytokinins, mainly zeatin, which is known to promote great biological activity.
Numerous studies at major universities have yielded findings about the positive effects of seaweed as a fertiliser:
- Geraniums produced more flowers per plant; grapes were sweeter; gladiolus corms grew larger; and cucumber yields increased 40 percent
- Improved in potatoes, sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, apples, strawberries, okra and oranges.
How to apply it
Top dressing:
Although already included in our Bloom mixes, if you feel an additional top up is required, we recommend amending your substrate with it at the first signs of flower at a rate of 2 tbsp/ gallon of substrate.
Foliar spray:
DIY seaweed fertiliser teas are made by soaking 2 tbsp of dried seaweed in a 1L bucket of water with a partially closed lid. Infuse the seaweed for a minimum of 3 weeks then strain. The resulting liquid can be watered in or used as a foliar spray. The strained remains of the seaweed can be mixed into compost bins or gardens.
Rooting solution:
Place cuttings in a solution of 50% liquid seaweed and 50% water until roots develop. When planting seeds or transplanting, water with the solution.