Algae are no longer niche products for vegetarians or vegans, but are literally on everyone's lips. They are rich in vitamins and trace elements. Who doesn't know sushi and the like? Algae can also benefit your soil, namely in the form of algae fertilizer or lime.
Are algae suitable as fertilizer in the garden?
Algae arebasically very good as fertilizer, but not for all gardens or every soil. Before you use seaweed fertilizer, you should always find out which nutrients are needed. Algae lime is therefore less suitable for lime-rich soils or for acid-loving plants.
What does algae do as fertilizer in the garden?
A distinction must be made here between algal lime and fertilizer made from algae. Algae lime increases the pH valuein the soil, so it is used where the soil is rather acidic but the plants don't like it. Acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons or camellias should not be treated with algae lime. Algae-based fertilizers (for example from seaweed) are intended to improve the soil quality and structure. It also stimulates the growth of plants and their ability to photosynthesize.
What nutrients does algae-based fertilizer contain?
Fertilizer from algae contains numerous important substances such asNitrogen, phosphorus, potassiumandMagnesium Vitamins and natural hormones from the seaweed strengthen resistance of plants and lead to a better harvest for some crops. Some nutrients are washed out into the soil, so the microorganisms living there are supplied with them.
Where do I get fertilizer from algae?
Fertilizer made from algae isavailable commerciallyYou can get it online or in garden shops and nurseries.
Algae fertilizer is produced in different ways. Algae lime is usually made from dead red algae covered with mineral crusts. On the other hand, commercial algae-based fertilizer mainly uses seaweed. Do you have a garden pond? If the algae get out of hand there, they should definitely be removed. Instead of resorting to chemical or biological agents, simply fish out the algae. You can use the pond algae directly as fertilizer or compost it.
Tip
Seaweed fertilizer in the organic garden
Since algae are of natural origin, algae-based fertilizer is also often used in organic farming. Of course, it is just as suitable for the home organic garden. If there is a lack of lime in the soil, the use of algae lime is recommended. It works slowly and contains some components that are not found in commercially available dolomite lime (made from mussel shells and remains of sea creatures).
