Seaweed

Seaweed is a fairly generic term that refers to aquatic plants that grow in the ocean, lakes or  ponds. In the fresh water lakes or man made lakes there is an accumulation of phosphates and fertilizers   from the run-off of farmers fields or the fertilized lawns of residents along the lakeside that allows the aquatic weeds to grow quickly and clog the lakeshore.  For example, at Chestermere Lake the municipality has a machine that cuts out the weed beds so the residents can water ski and boat. Residents who have property along the lakeshore periodically rake off the seaweed around their docks so they can launch their boats without getting the propellers of their boats fouled with weeds. The residents pile up the seaweed on their front lawn for garbage pick up. I realize that seaweed is rich in nitrates and is therefore a good natural fertilizer. I am experimenting with using seaweed as a natural fertilizer by chopping the weed into small pieces and burying the weed next to my garden plants as a slow natural releasing fertilizer. As the seaweed slowly decomposes it releases the nitrates that provide nitrogen for the plants. Moreover, the seaweed by its nature absorbs water and keeps the soil moist and helps retain water so the soil does not dry out.