How to Make Quick and Easy Seaweed Compost

You can make your own seaweed compost.

Homemade seaweed fertilizer is rich in nutrients, helping plants to thrive. When added to the soil, compost aerates and feeds your plants. Its moisture-holding capabilities mean you water less during dry spells. Well-made compost does not burn plants while it feeds beneficial earthworms. When applied on the soil surface, compost prevents the soil from drying out and compacting. Make your own at home and save a bundle over ready-made types.

Things You'll Need

• Seaweed
• Green matter
• Brown matter
• Water
• Herbivore droppings

Instructions

1. Gather your seaweed and lay it out on the ground or on racks.

2. Wash the seaweed several times in clean water. This will remove the excess salt buildup.

3. Layer the seaweed in your compost pile. Alternate the green (nitrogen) seaweed with brown (carbon) materials, such as cardboard or straw.

4. Spray the compost layers with water as you are building to keep them moist. You can add a small amount of good soil between layers as well.

5. Turn the outside debris of the compost to the center. Do this once a week, or when the pile starts to cool down.

6. The compost is ready when it is smells earthy and is broken down.

Tips & Warnings

• Add goat, rabbit, horse, cow and other herbivore manure to the pile for additional nutrients.

• Though not herbivores, chicken manure works well in compost piles as well.

• Avoid adding human, cat, dog, pig and other carnivore droppings to the pile.

• Do not add meat, fat, eggs (shells are fine) and other difficult-to-break-down items to your compost. These items stink, take too long to break down and attract pests.

References

• City of Minneapolis: Composting
• Nipomo Community Services District: Compost Guidelines -- Why Make Compost?