sea weed

[izzy]

hi everyone,
Can anyone help me,
I live near the sea, is it right that sea weed is good for the soil, if so can i use any type, and is it allowed?.
oh! and is there any time of year that is the "right" time to collect it?


Thanks Izzy

[bazzaboy]

hi izzy

Bob Flowerdew's nickname is "Mr Seaweed" and his advice is available at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/gqt/fshe...sheetsq5.shtml

It sounds to have a high FF ("Faff Factor") to me but if you don't mind that aspect it seems mighty useful. My brother (a much better and more organic gardener than me) also lives on the South coast and helps himself liberally to sackfulls of the stuff so if you both get jailed for stealing from the Queen (who officially owns the land between high and low tide) I'll bring you the latest issue of GYO when I visit him in jail.

bb

[chrissie the chippy]

I've been wondering about seaweed. We live near the coast too, well the solent, but it still has seaweed!

We go there quite often and there is always a lot washed up or when the tide goes out.

I've been sticking to the dry stuff at the mo, figured that had to be dead

Is the loose stuff ok to take? Is that no longer viable? Wouldn't want to take anything that is living from there.

Haven't collected a lot,last time I forgot it was in my car for a week not nice

[carlseawolf]

basically all seaweed is good for your garden as a mulch , fertilizer or add it in with the compost , seaweed washed up on the shore is the best way of getting some but don't use the dryed stuff as it contains more salt , use fresh in stead and never take of the rocks.
as to best time to gather , the answer to that is after a storm with an onshore wind.


on my web site under WEB SITES are about four places with info about the benefits , but generally it's good for every purpose and plants.

[Polly Fouracre]

Remember to hose the salt off before using.