Seaweed - The Positives & Negatives ?

[KevinM67]

Dear All,

I've never used seaweed before - but being 15 mins walk away from the beach, I have a bountiful supply of the stuff now.

I've been collecting it steadily for a wee while now, being careful to only pick up any of the washed up stuff, laying it out on the ground, and wishing for the rain to wash any excess salt off the stuff.
However, since moving here over 2 months ago - the East coast of Ireland seems to be the driest place on the planet. Honestly, it's only ever rained 'properly' a few times over that time.

Anyway, I have a few questions....

Can I lay this stuff straight on the soil 'unwashed' ?
If I do that, will I risk damaging the soil ?
With its salt content - will it deter slugs ?
As above - will worms then be adverse to it ?
Are there any veg/fruit that don't welcome it ?
Additional fertilizers ?

Sorry for the ramble - but your great advice would be much appreciated.

[happyhumph]

No idea as never used but interested as we're also near to beaches.

[jackarmy]

Only help i can be of Kev is to point you to this guy on youtube, he uses it a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGF5fcsq64&t=769s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPfe4bZ298

[bramble]

I have been digging seaweed and rotted leaves into my garden for several years. I have no idea how beneficial it is but I always get great crops of potatoes from it.
Doesnt seem to gave any adverse affects that I can see.

[Thelma Sanders]

At Heligan they just lay it on the soil surface and leave it to rot in place, over winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU8MDByMMlU

[bario1]

I put it on my asparagus bed raw, but asparagus is a coastal plant apparently, so the salt doesn't bother it. Too soon to say whether it's done it any good though.

[KevinM67]

At Heligan they just lay it on the soil surface and leave it to rot in place, over winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU8MDByMMlU

Thanks for this.
I was hoping I could shove it on the ground, rather than the 'faffing' about trying to get any excess salt of it.

[Thelma Sanders]

In the Channel islands, until recently, they also just spread it on the surface where they will grow the Jersey Royal spuds, so the salt doesn't seem to bother plants by the time they're growing.

[KevinM67]

I put it on my asparagus bed raw, but asparagus is a coastal plant apparently, so the salt doesn't bother it. Too soon to say whether it's done it any good though.

Yep, the video above confirms that asparagus love it.

[BUFFS]

i place my seed tatties on top of 6ins of seaweed (in tubs) and have never washed it or had any problems for the last 15yrs, and the soil then goes for growing carrots and then chucked onto the veg patch along with the contents of the compo bin, by which time it has vanished into the soil...

[forgetmenot]

I used seaweed last year , dumped a load into a water butt for seaweed tea (put a lid on it because it stinks so bad, think the smell of drains x 10) as well as forking it into my beds and putting courgette/squash and beans on top. The plants loved it so as far as I can see, if its readily available you should use it!

[KevinM67]

Thanks for the replies folks.

All positive so far - is there any downside/negative stuff that I should be wary of ?

[Snadger]

If it was laid out and you stuck a hose on it would that not wash the salt off it?

Wish I was closer to the sea as I would use it.

[KevinM67]

If it was laid out and you stuck a hose on it would that not wash the salt off it?

Wish I was closer to the sea as I would use it.

I've not got round to buying a hose yet - I was hoping mother nature would sort me out.
Anyway, we've had a bit of rain over the last few days, so the various piles across the garden have had a good soaking.

I just need to try and get the potential growing beds dug so I can dump the seaweed on them.

[roitelet]

Just listened to Gardeners Queation Time and they were praising sea weed and used it with out washing it first.