Comments on: How to Use Seaweed to Mulch Your Garden

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:31:00 +0000

Thanks Vicky. You’ll find seaweed to be a real asset in gardening.

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:36:00 +0000

I’m jealous!

By: Redbird Farm

Redbird Farm — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:55:00 +0000

I live near the coast of Maine and just hauled 4 trailer loads today. There is a lot on the shore from the wind storms this past winter.

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Glad you can use the information. Thanks for your comment.

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:53:00 +0000

Thank you for this article. I found it extremely helpful! I often take my dog to the beach and met someone, recently, who told me seaweed was the best thing for gardens. I collected 2 bags today, then realised I didn’t have a clue what to do with it! This has really helped and I’m hoping this year is drier than last and I’ll have a decent crop of veg and fruit. Will be going back tomorrow, with the rest of my bags, to stock up and then get the soil prepared.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Great to read Greg Seaman’s article. It answers my questions about using seaweed in the garden. I work in the only Traditional Seaweed Baths in the United Kingdom (Soak Seaweed Baths, Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland) and grow my own vegetables. So I will be hitching up the trailer and taking a load of used seaweed home regularly from now on.

By: Lisa D

Lisa D — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Thanks for the article. I have seaweed that washes up in my yard after high tide and storms…trying to find a use for it. We have a lot of seaweed and it is nice to have some way of using it.

By: Sally Dwaileebe

Sally Dwaileebe — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Seaweed is excellent, even the powdered kelp, broadcast into the soil throughout the season!

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:55:00 +0000

I just came in from mulching my tomatoes with seaweed to read your comment. Seaweed is usually a trouble-free amendment. At first I thought maybe you were getting a nitrogen overload from too much shallow-water fresh seaweed. I suggest that you try setting some seaweed spread out under the sun and let it dry for a few days, then try it on a small spot in your garden.
But if the seaweed tea and seaweed that has been left out all winter still prohibits growth, then it sounds as if the seaweed has some toxic property. (Assuming you are using mixed seaweed, not a single species. If the seaweed you are using is all from the same species of plant, then there may an inhibiting property in that species. But seaweed usually occurs as mixed.)You may consider taking it to your nearest agricultural extension for testing.
Here we use seaweed that is fresh and some that has been dried on the beach for a few days. We prefer the dried seaweed because it is easier to carry up the hill to our place, but both fresh and dry seem to perform the same. It has been quite reliable for us.

By: Shoalcove22

Shoalcove22 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:48:00 +0000

I live on the east coast of Canada where fall and winter storms deposit piles of seaweed at the foot of my lawns. Every time I have added it to my gardens as top dressing, the plants have stunted or yellowed and died off. I have tried fresh seaweed, seaweed that has been washed all winter by rain & snow and seaweed tea. Sometimes I can get away with putting a layer in the bottom of new raised beds. I tried it on several tomatoes in my greenhouse and they just died! What am I doing wrong?

By: Bev

Bev — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 22:19:00 +0000

This is an awesome topic, and you answered many questions that I may have had. I live only about an hour from the coast, and this really has me wanting to rev up my truck, and take a trip! Thank!

By: Daisy

Daisy — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Please dont pick ANY growing seaweed from the rocks ! Only the washed up stuff !

By: Pink Hollybush

Pink Hollybush — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Thank you for the information. I have always wondered if I could use seaweed but worried about the salt. it will now be my new mulch!

By: Alice Sievers Rodriguez

Alice Sievers Rodriguez — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:57:00 +0000

I have read on several other organic gardening sites that you DO NOT have to wash the seaweed. Now, there will people you will not be able to convince but hey, it’s YOUR garden. Do a small plot and see what you think.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Very helpful, especially to learn that you dont have problems with salt. I live on the south east coast of Australia and have ample supplies of sea weed but have shied away from seaweed collection and soaking because of the smell and my uncertainty of its effectiveness. But as mulch: Perfect
Thank you, I’m glad you decided to go ahead and write the article.
It’s well written, simple to follow and full of good advice.
Barb