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Lakewood, CO

I always thought kelp and seaweed were the basically the same thing...coming from a high plains desert. Would someone please explain the difference to me, and how they both work with the growing of AG's. I know I can find this information on the internet, but I would just like to avoid getting intentionally & unintentionally lost on the internet. Much Thanks!
Betsy

4/2/2014 11:53:46 AM

Colorado

Different terms for the same stuff. Kelp sounds better than seaweed.They should say what species on their packaging.

4/2/2014 12:24:28 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Betsy we missed you at the Spring Meet n Greet.....

4/2/2014 4:23:59 PM

Lakewood, CO

Thanks Joe, you know what it is that has me confused is the difference between kelps. Apparently there is a black kelp and a brown kelp...and a huge price difference?

Gary, would like to have gone but it was spring break and one child needed to be on the east side of town, and the other on the west.

Hey do either of you fellas have a trap that we can borrow? I have a couple bunnies that are getting more and more brazen...little ba#@$%#s!

4/2/2014 7:17:12 PM

Seattle, WA

What you want is cold water processed ascophyllum nodosum or North Atlantic Sea Kelp. It's by far the most widely used and research species of seaweed/kelp in regards to plant growth.

Acadian Seaplants is one of the largest manufacturers. I would recommend their seaweed extract powder for soil drenches or foliar applications (Save $ by not buying the liquid seaweed products). You can also look for Nature's Essence brand, that's the one I sell and use all the time.

As for kelp meal, your best bet is your local feed store. They should carry it for around $70 for a 50 lb bag. You can bubble the kelp meal in a compost tea brewer (approx 2 cups/5 gal) to make a soil drench application as well.

Seaweed/kelp is a great additive and one of my favorite gardening products.

4/2/2014 7:46:50 PM

Lakewood, CO

The girl's and I will pick weeds in your pumpkin patch in exchange for letting us borrow a trap

4/2/2014 7:47:43 PM

Concord, CA.

The difference is that kelp is a seaweed, but not all seaweed is kelp. A lot like maple is a tree, but not all trees are maples. Kelp is the most popular because of its nutrients and the fact that it can grow up to two feet long in a day. (Pacific kelp) it is also relatively easy to harvest.

4/2/2014 8:16:58 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I try not to use the high K kelp mixes.... I dont need no more stinkin Potassium....

4/3/2014 9:28:48 AM

Seattle, WA

I've had really good success in container soil mixes with potassium that rated significantly than what traditional soil tests recommend. I think good microbial populations will help buffer any excesses in the rhizosphere when using an organic system.

4/3/2014 4:00:41 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

YEs even though my K is sky high... tissue tests where right on....Plant takes what it needs.... but K ties up my Mg

4/3/2014 4:46:46 PM