Fertilizing the Garden

 

Fertilizing the Garden

 

BBC Goodfood said on 27th September 2017, “There are thought to be over 10,000 species of seaweed, reflecting its immense diversity, both in flavor and nutritional properties.” Seaweed is great for farming and growing of vegetables for food. “It also has a long history in ancient medicine, and folklore.” - Nutritional therapist Kerry Torrens.

A good gardener will take out time to fertilizing their garden. What is the best fertilizer to use? "A good gardener knows the importance of a good fertilizer. Recognizing which fertilizer best fits the needs of your specific plants will help you to maximize your gardens’ growth." For me, organic fertilizers made from natural and organic materials are the only product I have used for years. Fertilizer from cows, horses, chicken (POULTRY), and rabbits make good manure for the garden.

Making your own compost from plant products make good fertilizer. It makes the soil health and brings out some of the best qualities for good growth in the garden. There are a number of other natural fertilizers such as blood meal which is acidic. Blood meal is a very fast “booster” for nitrogen-hungry plants or plants suffering from deprivation. You can pour it directly over the roots or put it in the mulch and cover it. Bone meal is also good and can be used in the soil requiring serious amendment to bring them up to par. Soils that routinely show high amounts of nitrogen or that produce nitrogen-burnt plants will benefit from bone meal.

But the best fertilizer of which I have used is seaweed. Seaweed has been used as a soil improver for centuries, particularly in coastal areas. Seaweed has been a staple part of life in Asian diets since ancient times. Most types of seaweed are high in essential amino acids and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which make it good for your health.

It is one of the most beneficial organic fertilizers that is still free. Seaweed contains several useful plant nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, and boron, which are often lacking in common fertilisers such as Growmore and fish, blood & bone, but which are nevertheless important for plant health. You can use seaweed dried or in a liquidized form. Seaweed is a great source of benefit for bananas, fruit trees, cereal grains and high-potash crops.

“Seaweed and kelp are closely related, forms of marine algae that grow in the upper reaches of the ocean, where sunlight can penetrate, contain more minerals than any other food source, according to “Dr. Gillian McKeith’s Living Food for Health.” An important part of the diet of many people living in coastal regions -- particularly in Asia -- these nutritious sea vegetables grow in mineral-rich seawater that constantly replenishes their content of vital micronutrients.” Seaweed contain up to 60 minerals in it.

For more on Seaweed Fertilizer, go to : https://youtu.be/299wzo1XkwU 

Other benefits:

• “Saves water, keeps soil moist at ground level

The purpose of any mulch is to keep garden soil from drying out at the surface. And by preventing moisture from evaporating, mulch reduces the need for watering. The practice of mulching is essential in areas where conditions are hot and dry.

• Eliminates the need to weed
  Mulch covers the soil and blocks new weeds from sprouting. Because the soil beneath the mulch remains moist, any weeds which do manage to sprout through the mulch are easy to pick.
• Repels slugs and other pests

Slugs are immediately repelled by two things – salt and sharp-edged materials. Seaweed has a natural salt content which repels slugs, and within a few days of application it dries and becomes quite crispy. Slugs do not like “crispy” surfaces, as the sharp salty edges cut into the soft body tissue. While some mulches may provide hiding spots for slugs, earwigs and other pests, seaweed mulch does not have this disadvantage.

• Enriches the soil
  Seaweed is a broad spectrum fertilizer that is rich in beneficial trace minerals and hormones that stimulate plant growth. Seaweed is high in carbohydrates which are essential building blocks in growing plants, and low in cellulose so it breaks down readily. Seaweed shares no diseases with land plants.
• Boosts lethargic plants
  Seaweed fertilizer contains an abundance of fully chelated (ready to use) micro-nutrients which can be readily absorbed by plants without any further chemical decomposition needed.
• Helps lighten the soil
  Compacted soil can benefit as seaweed mulch breaks down. As the material becomes incorporated into the soil, aeration is improved and the soil becomes more crumbly and moist.
• Does not contain weed seeds, unlike bark mulch
  Two years ago we used commercial bark mulch to cover our garden pathways for the purpose of blocking weeds. Today, these pathways are sprouting horsetail, an invasive weed which can be difficult to eradicate. Seaweed does not bring any foreign weed seeds into your garden.
• Reapply in one week, another 4 – 6” deep

Seaweed shrinks when it dries. Even a generous layer of seaweed will dry in a few hot days to expose much of the soil. The seaweed will become very stiff and crispy. Ideally, you should reapply in a week or so, and this second application will dry out but still provide good coverage for your soil. Once you make the second application, your beds are usually well-mulched for at least 4 – 6 weeks even in hot, and dry weather.

• Leave a clear space around plant stems

Once you have spread the seaweed around the plants, push it back just a little from the plant stems so they are not in direct contact with the wet seaweed. Once it dries, the seaweed will naturally ‘shrink’ away from the stems, but it’s a good habit with any mulch to keep plant stems clear.

• It’s OK to mix seaweed with other mulch
• Most of all, it’s free!” By Greg Seaman
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Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T. Santucci

 

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