Now that you all have convinced me to purchase dried kelp as a soil amendment, just how much should I add to the soil? Rather, how much do I add to each hole before I transplant my tomatoes/peppers? I don't plan on broadcasting it on the whole garden at once as the cost of the kelp is too great.

I plan on using it as a foliar feed for the rest of my garden by adding the dried kelp to a gallon of water at a time. Any suggestions as to the amount for one gallon? Or would it best best just to add an amount to a sprayer and fertilize that way?

Tomato Z,
Just as a starting point, if you want to add it to the backfill as you plant your tomatoes and peppers, I would go with about 2 tablespoons per hole. I don't think you need to worry about adding too much.

As far as I know, the dried kelp would not be a good choice for foliar feeding - it's mostly meant to be used as a soil amendment. I don't think it would dissolve the way you would need it to and it would probably clog up your sprayer. A better bet would be to buy a bottle of liquid kelp concentrate, dilute it down and spray on your plants. I give all my plants a monthly spraying early in the morning from June thru September...it does a great job of keeping plants strong and healthy when there is little rain. I don't know how many plants you are growing, but one 32 oz. bottle of the stuff will last me for a couple years and I spray it on everything - trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers, container plants. The bottle will give you specific instructions as to how much concentrate to use per gallon. It's quite low if I remember right - two or three tablespoons per gallon.

Hope this helps - happy gardening!

Thanks, Buffalogal. I wrote the previous message before I received Gardens Alive! newest catalog with another $25 coupon if you spend $50 total. Think I will try the liquid also and use it like you suggested. I have an ok sized garden/trees/flowers but I also manage a small church garden (50'x90') that definitely needs help. It was a volleyball court in years past and is just beginning to be a garden.

The kelp may help this clay soil after a few more years.

I'm not sure what you have. There is kelp meal that is used as a soil amendment, there is liquid kelp concentrate that is diluted for spraying/drenching, and there is dried liquid kelp that is mixed with water to use for spraying/drenching. The kelp meal, excellent stuff, is applied 1-2 lbs per 100 sq. ft. yearly. I use all the types but the kelp meal is what I add to my nightshade transplant holes...usually 1/8-1/4 cup.

Any thoughts on using freshwater seaweed harvested from lakes and rivers as a soil additive? Would it have the same nutrients and ocean kelp?

John

I have no idea - hopefully others here will know.

Welcome to OG NemaToad!