How to Collect Seaweed for Compost Seaweed Meal

Know the laws before collecting seaweed.

Seaweed can be an excellent addition to your compost because it is rich in nutrients. Seaweed is also considered a great activator for compost, which will speed up the process of breaking down the material in your compost pile. Collecting seaweed for your compost pile can be tricky if you do not own beach property with a lot of seaweed debris. Ensure any seaweed harvesting you do is both legal and ethical. Seaweed collection is illegal in some areas because the plant is vital for the health of the local ecosystem. Even washed-up seaweed can provide food and habitats for sea and land creatures.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket or bag

Instructions

1. Contact local authorities to find out if seaweed collection is legal in your area.

2. If necessary, contact the landowners of the location where you want to collect the seaweed or go to a public beach if it is legal.

3. Collect seaweed that has washed onto the beach. Harvesting live seaweed in the ocean can damage the ecosystem.

4. Choose seaweed that looks and smells fresh. Do not collect seaweed that looks diseased.

5. Wash the seaweed in fresh water or rain water to rinse off excess salt.

Tips & Warnings

• Seaweed tends to be more abundant on the beaches after a storm.

• Laws regarding seaweed collection are complex. Make sure you know the details of any seaweed collection laws in your area.

• If seaweed is too salty, it can kill worms in your compost. Rinse your seaweed thoroughly.

• During certain seasons in different locations, seaweed washed onto the beach is a habitat and nesting area for some species of sea animals.

References

• Cornish Seaweed Resources: Conservation and Licences
• Ventnor Permaculture: Using Seaweed in the Garden
• United States Department of Agriculture: Environmental Engineering Handbook