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Is sargassum good for the garden?

Although low in nitrogen, sargassum still works well as a fertilizer because it is rich in nitrate (NO3) and ammonia (NH4).



Yes, sargassum (the brown seaweed often found on beaches) can be an excellent organic fertilizer and mulch for your garden, but it requires careful preparation. Seaweed is packed with over 60 trace minerals, including potassium, nitrogen, and magnesium, which promote vigorous plant growth and improved root health. However, the primary challenge is its high salt content, which can be toxic to land plants if applied directly. Before using it, you must thoroughly rinse the seaweed with fresh water to remove the salt and any potential microplastics or heavy metals it may have picked up in the ocean. Once rinsed, you can incorporate it into your compost pile—where its high moisture content helps speed up the decomposition of "brown" materials—or use it as a surface mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Over time, the sargassum will break down and release beneficial hormones and nutrients into the soil, acting as a natural growth stimulant that can make fruits sweeter and flowers larger and more vibrant.

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Decomposition of Sargassum Seaweed During the decomposing process, the seaweed releases a gas called hydrogen sulfide. This is a colorless gas that resembles the smell of rotten eggs. Sargassum's decomposition cycle lasts between 8-16 days.

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Popular resort hubs, including Playa del Carmen and Tulum, have ramped up efforts to deter sargassum from affecting travelers. What is this? Both destinations have set up temporary barriers and hired more cleaners in an effort to attract more travelers.

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Did you know? Sargassum is edible, it's harvested to feed livestock too, and you can fry, boil, steam or dry it. It's played a part in Chinese medicine as far back as the 8th century, treating goiters (high iodine content) — and made into tea to control phlegm.

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You can swim in the water if there's sargassum and people do, but I have seen some reports of sea lice associated with sargassum in water with big mats of it floating around,” he says, referring to small jellyfish larvae, which can cause the skin to erupt in a red, itchy rash.

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