Homemade Seaweed Plant Food

Seaweed is an effective organic fertilizer.

Seaweed fertilizer or plant food offers a fully organic way to nurture ornamental and edible plants. Seaweed is rich in many nutrients plants need, including nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, making it a popular choice among many gardeners. Seaweed plant food is also absolutely safe to use around humans and animals, and is gentle enough to use every time the garden needs fertilizing.

Things You'll Need

• Seaweed
• Plastic contractor's garbage bag
• 5-gallon bucket with lid
• Water
• Garden sprayer

Instructions

1. Check with the local Parks and Recreation Department that it's legal to pick up seaweed along local shore lines. If it's not legal in the area, consider purchasing seaweed from an online store. However, bear in mind that the cost of buying seaweed may be higher than purchasing ready-made seaweed fertilizer at a local gardening center.

2. Collect a trash bag of seaweed from along the shore line. Do not harvest seaweed from the ocean itself, as many aquatic animals and fish depend upon the plant for survival.

3. Wash out a 5-gallon bucket or other large container with a well-fitting lid, using liquid dish soap and water. Rinse the bucket well.

4. Place the bucket in a warm, out-of-the-way location. Heat accelerates the decomposition process.

5. Place the seaweed in the bucket, filling it to within 2 inches of the top. Pour water over the seaweed and secure the lid on the bucket.

6. Stir the contents of the bucket once or twice a week, using a stick. Always secure the bucket lid afterward to speed up the decomposition process. Wait for the seaweed to completely decompose; this typically takes about a month. However, if a larger container is used, it will take longer.

7. Dilute the resulting seaweed concentrate with water, using a ratio of about 1:16. The seaweed fertilizer is now complete. Place the seaweed fertilizer in a garden sprayer and spray around the base or on the leaves of vegetables and ornamental plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply seaweed fertilizer about once a month, or more often if needed.

• Apply seaweed fertilizer in the morning, when the air is cool. This helps prevent burning of plants, especially when the fertilizer is sprayed directly on plant leaves.

• For the best absorption of nutrients, apply fertilizer after first moistening the soil.

• Rain or irrigation water can wash away the fertilizer's nutrients before plants can absorb them. Avoid watering the same day the plants are fertilized.

References

• Backwoods Home: Make Your Own Fertilizers
• No Dig Vegetable Garden: Homemade Liquid Fertilizers
• AJ Products: Seaweed as a Fertilizer