How to Use Seaweed As Mulch
Gardeners use seaweed as an organic mulch that contributes to a healthy soil environment for plants. Seaweed or kelp contains more than 70 enzymes, vitamins and minerals, and feeds the soil as it decomposes. Gardening with seaweed encourages healthy bacteria growth in the soil, causing richer, well-aerated soil. Mulching with seaweed prevents the loss of moisture through evaporation, so less watering is needed. Seaweed mulch also reduces soil erosion and keeps weeds in check. The end result of gardening with seaweed is improved germination, denser leaves and stalks, a well-developed root system, more nutritious fruits and vegetables, and more disease-resistant plants.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Gather fresh seaweed from a nearby lake or ocean shore. Check to make sure gathering seaweed for personal use is permitted under federal, state and local laws. Do not completely clear out any one area, since many marine and land creatures rely on the seaweed for their existence.
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2
Lay out the seaweed in thin layers. Rinse off the salt with a hose. Water it one hour for every inch of seaweed depth. Or let the layers dry during the summer, letting rain rinse off the salt.
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3
Cut the seaweed into small pieces using garden shears, a mulcher or a shredder.
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4
Remove any debris or oil balls from the seaweed mulch.
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5
Place layers of the seaweed mulch, 2 to 4 inches deep, around plants that are not sensitive to salt. Too much mulch will prevent rain or irrigation water from reaching the soil.
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6
Add more seaweed mulch when it breaks down to a depth less than 2 inches. Seaweed mulch breaks down quickly due its low cellulose levels.
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Tips & Warnings
Harvesting seaweed is illegal in some areas. Other areas place limits on how much you can collect for personal use, and may require a license. Check federal, state and local laws pertaining to a specific area before you harvest seaweed.
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References
- Photo Credit Water and Seaweed image by Mr Shemp from Fotolia.com
