Washashore
Soil
Solutions

You can think of fertilizer as any addition made to the soil to improve the nutrients available for plant growth. In most cases fertilizers add a combination of key elements for growth: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), often along with a good dose of organic matter, which contains carbon (C). Fertilizers come in a variety of forms: chemical fertilizers, compost, manure, worm casings, fish emulsions and even seaweed!

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While all of these products are possible fertilizers, some can have negative impacts on their surrounding environment. Chemical fertilizers, manure and fish emulsions are types of fertilizers that can easily add an excess of nutrients to your soil, which readily makes its way into nearby watersheds and causes eutrophication - or, fertilization of water systems. While you may want to fertilizer in your garden, you don't want it in your water. Fertilizer in water causes algae and seaweeds to grow in excess, which strips water of its oxygen, and can lead to toxic algal blooms, fish kills, and water that isn't safe to swim in or drink.

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At Washashore Soil Solutions, we are keenly aware that adding to the soil for crop growth is a delicate balance, and have carefully formulated a soil amendment and dosage to support the growth of your garden without negatively impacting the surrounding environment.

Did you know that seaweed is like crack for your soil?! Seaweeds, or macroalgae, are massively beneficial to the growth of terrestrial plants. They act as a super-stimulant for plant growth, and do three majorly good things for your soil:

(1) Nutrient addition! Seaweeds are loaded with important nutrients and minerals for plant growth. In addition to primary macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, seaweeds contain super important micronutrients like zinc, iron and manganese! These are elements are necessary for their survival. For example, plants can't photosynthesize without iron and manganese!

(2) Water retention! In addition to delicious nutrients, seaweeds help your soil keep its nutrients for longer by improving the water retention of soil. The spongy matrix of seaweed is amazing at adding structure to the soil, which makes it hold onto water and nutrients for longer, and improves breathability for plant roots and important microbes.

(3) Soil microbiome! Seaweed has amazing microbiological stimulant properties. It acts as an antifungal and antiviral, which helps support healthy microbe growth. It also adds key vitamins, supporting the growth of healthy microbes in the soil, and roots for your plants.

Combining the removal of nuisance seaweed from coastal systems, the alleviation of nutrient pollution to local waterways, and the formulation of an ecosystem safe alternative to chemical fertilizers, we hope to address several pressing issues in tandem with our soil enrichment.

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Using discarded seaweed from beaches, the dream is to create a dried seaweed powder, which can replace the use of harmful chemical fertilizers in the home garden, at farms, and even for houseplants!