Gardener advocates seaweed as a superior soil nutrient and natural pest repellent

The gardening enthusiast behind the TikTok account @inthecottagegarden, recently shared a video that highlights the remarkable benefits of using seaweed in gardening. According to her, seaweed, commonly found washed up along shorelines, contains up to ten times the minerals of terrestrial plants and has been utilized as a natural fertilizer for millennia.

In her tutorial, the popular gardener demonstrates the sustainable harvesting of seaweed. She advises viewers to only collect what has naturally detached and washed ashore to avoid disrupting marine habitats. She emphasizes the importance of rinsing the collected seaweed to remove excess salt before integrating it directly into garden beds, where it acts as a nutrient-rich mulch and natural slug repellent.

Additionally, she showcases how to create a potent liquid fertilizer from seaweed. By soaking the plant in freshwater weighed down by a rock, gardeners can produce a concentrated feed that, when diluted, nourishes plants without the need for chemical fertilizers.

Seaweed’s benefits extend beyond its nutritional value; it also plays a crucial role in maintaining soil moisture and repelling pests. This aligns with a broader trend toward sustainable gardening, which reduces reliance on harmful pesticides and fertilizers, thus preventing these chemicals from contaminating waterways.

Beyond its gardening applications, seaweed is gaining recognition in Western diets as a superfood. Rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, it contributes to a reduced risk of heart disease and is being used innovatively by companies like Carbonwave. This startup transforms seaweed into profitable products such as fertilizers and cosmetic emulsifiers.