Algae lime fertilizer: uses in the garden

Garden owners are increasingly switching to ecological products, especially when it comes to fertilizers. Algae lime is a relatively new addition to the range. It is a purely natural product that supports natural planting. How algae lime works, where and how it should be used and other information worth knowing can be obtained from Plantopedia.

Algae lime

What is algae lime?

Algae lime is a natural raw material that consists of grinding deposits of red algae. It has a calcium carbonate content of around 80 percent and is therefore significantly higher than with other lime fertilizers. As a purely ecological and biodegradable substance, it contributes to soil improvement and is not only used as a fertilizer, but is also used as a plant protection.

Calcium carbonate

The calcium carbonate it contains is one of the most common compounds found on earth. These compounds are found in sediments and sedimentary rocks in particular prevailing gravity on earth or flowing influences as they exist in the sea come. Lime deposits are mainly formed from organic, mineral residues, such as those on Corals, mussels or even red algae form these deposits and ensure an alkaline environment.

use

Algae lime fertilizer: applications in the garden - boxwood & Co

Fertilizer makes a significant contribution to healthy plant growth. The basis for this lies in the soil quality or composition. Numerous diseases arise when the soil does not meet the requirements of the respective plant. If there is a lack of lime, brown leaves can develop on a box tree, for example. Lime is an important fertilizer here, which contributes to soil improvement. Before use, you should know whether and how algae lime helps and where it is useful and when.

effect

Just as calcium carbonate creates an alkaline environment from the separation of sediments and / or sedimentary rocks, the same effect can be seen in the soil after fertilization. This type of lime leads to a neutralization of the soil acid content (pH value) and thus prevents mostly creeping soil acidification or reduces the acidic soil conditions.

nutrient

There is a spontaneous, abundant release of nutrients, albeit at the same time Humus is broken down, which is why the dosage of algae lime is always moderate should.

In addition, the high calcium carbonate content in connection with other ingredients causes the conversion from small clay particles into larger crumbs, so that an improved water and air storage is achieved comes. In a biological way, this fertilizer activates the microorganisms and in the end result can improve the soil itself The soil structure and reduced silting heat up faster and thus the growth of microorganisms and consequently of the plants favor.

Lime-loving plants

In the plant world, a distinction is made between specimens that love lime and those that do not tolerate lime. The high-dose calcium carbonate fertilizer should not be used, especially in plants that are sensitive to lime.

The plants that tolerate lime include:

• lilac
• lavender
• Christmas roses
• Boxwood
• Judas tree
• Wig bushes
• Common ash
• Tulip roses
• Sea buckthorn and black thorn
• Daisies
• race/Gras
• many herbs such as parsley, chives, wild garlic
• and many more

Lime deficiency

In the case of plants that prefer a calcareous soil structure or that thrive better with the addition of lime, a lime deficiency can be detected quite quickly.

Typical features can show up in the form of:

• Flower end rot (tomatoes)
• Stunted growth
• withered shoot tips
• Yellow discoloration of new / young leaves
• brown dots on fruit bowls (for example on apples)

You can also easily see whether your soil needs algae lime from so-called pointer plants. If the calcium content is too low, these plants quickly indicate that you can act quickly.

These include the following plants, for example:

• Hasenklee
• moss
• Little sorrel
• Sand pansy
• Field horsetail
• Three-leaved speedwell
• Farm mustard

advantages

In general, this special lime shows itself in different directions with advantageous properties for the soil / plants, compared to other types of lime for garden fertilization

• containing more trace elements
• more favorable ratio between lime and contained magnesium
• improves the availability of nutrients and ensures biologically active soil conditions
• particularly high effectiveness due to high calcium carbonate content
• can be fertilized all year round
• prevents fungal infestation through lime pollination of the plant
• keeps insects at a distance after lime pollination
• ensures more flavor intensity and shelf life of herbs, fruits and fruits
• binds soil acids much better due to the high calcium carbonate content
• strengthens plants and promotes the immune system against diseases and pests

use

When to use algae lime fertilizer?

The pH value of a soil shows what acidity it is. This is influenced by the different types of soil. A certain pH value is partly responsible for the thriving of every plant species and should therefore always be in a certain range. Over time, the acid content often moves into the range of higher values ​​in the direction of becoming more acidic. Then the addition of algae lime fertilizer is useful to bring about a regulation.

You can use the different types of soil and ideal pH values ​​as a guide:

• Loess and clay soil: pH value 7.0
• Sandy loam soil: pH 6.5
• Loamy sandy soil: pH 6.0
• Sandy soil: pH 5.5

In the case of lawns, depending on the type of soil, the pH value should be less than 0.5 less than the ideal pH value of the individual soil types. If moss has formed on the lawn, this is a clear sign of a lack of lime in the soil. Do not forget, however, that there are plants that cannot tolerate calcareous soil. These include, for example rhododendron, Summer heather, hydrangeas and bog plants.

dosage

Dosage instructions are usually given on the packaging of algae lime fertilizer. This mostly refers to a general quantity, without reference to the prevailing soil conditions or soil type and pH values. Algae-lime fertilizers are often advertised as “for healthy soils”. It can be assumed here that, as a precautionary measure, acidification should be avoided by using mostly lower amounts of lime according to the manufacturer's recommendation. For the treatment of pH values ​​that are already too high / acidic, the dosage recommendations are usually less useful. It can happen that the dosage information given by the manufacturer is not optimal for your soil.

Overdose

Too much lime fertilization can trigger chemical processes, especially in loamy soils, which in the worst case can be irreparable Cause damage to your plants and massively break down nutrients in the soil, which are then no longer available to the plants stand. Too little algae lime fertilizer makes you wait in vain for an effect.

• Dosage for pH reduction

You should adhere to the following dosage based on the nature of the soil.

• Light soils with a pH value less than 5.3: 150 to 200 grams of lime per square meter
• Light soils with a pH value between 5.3 - 5.7: 120 to 180 grams of lime per square meter
• Medium-heavy soils with a pH value less than 5.7: 300 to 400 grams of lime per square meter
• Medium-heavy soils with a pH value between 5.7 - 6.5: 180 to 250 grams of lime per square meter
• Heavy soils with pH less than 6.3: 400 grams of lime per square meter
• Heavy soils with a pH value between 6.3 - 7.0: 250 to 350 grams of lime per square meter

TIP: There are inexpensive test strips to buy to determine the pH value. You should make this investment in order to be able to choose the optimal dosage. Special electrical measuring devices are easier to use, but are also more expensive.

use

In general, before using algae lime in the garden, you should know that some of it can fly through the air like powder, especially in winds. It can irritate the eyes and cause health reactions in allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Even small children should not come into contact with the powder.

Fertilize

The most important criterion when fertilizing algae lime is uniform application. Only in this way can you distribute the optimal dosage over the smallest of areas and avoid over- or underdosing.

Large-scale fertilization

For larger areas, it is recommended to use a fertilizer wagon. This has opening slits, which usually allow an optimal setting of the dosage. The prerequisite is that the opening slits are not blocked, for example by lumps in the fertilizer, which can occur due to moisture or production errors. It is therefore advisable to check for lumps when adding the fertilizer.

Small-scale fertilization

On small areas or, for example, under boxwood bushes and between rose beds, this lime fertilizer can often only be spread by hand or a scoop. Here it is advisable to separate the exact dose amount per square meter and sprinkle it with the slightly granular powder square by square meter by hand. This ensures that you sprinkle the recommended dose evenly over the area.

Fertilizer combinations

Algae lime fertilizer does not always have to be applied pure to the surface to be fertilized. When added to compost, it works very effectively. In addition, this has the advantage that the soil is enriched with additional nutrients from the compost and that the algae lime makes it easier for the plant to absorb.

Note: Always wear gloves when fertilizing. The high dose of calcium carbonate can cause skin irritation. In the event of skin or eye contact, rinse the affected area with plenty of clean water.

Fertilization time

It is best to apply algae lime in the garden in the spring, although it can also be useful all year round if required. The soil should be slightly damp, but not too wet. This ensures better adhesion of the powder. Especially if you distribute the fertilizer by hand, you are dependent on sighting in order to prevent double fertilization. If the soil is too wet, it would dissolve very quickly and would no longer be visible.

If you fertilize a lawn with a fertilizer wagon, the lanes on wet ground could provoke unsightly fairways and possibly damage the sward.

It is advisable to choose a dry day for fertilization when rain is imminent. If it rains after fertilizing, the lime is quickly absorbed into the soil. If there is no irrigation, the fine powder in particular can be carried away by the wind and stick under shoes, which is why fertilized areas should not be stepped on until irrigation. If there is no rain, it is advisable to water box trees & Co. after the fertilization and / or turn on the garden sprinkler.

Prices

Algae lime is offered in a wide variety of price ranges. In the case of higher-priced lime fertilizers for red algae, manufacturers usually argue that they would be much cleaner through special cleaning processes. It has not yet been scientifically proven that this would improve the positive properties of this type of lime. Normal garden lime with calcium carbonate costs around 80 cents per kilogram on average. For chalk lime or E170 you have to reckon with several euros per kilogram.

The prices for algae lime range from 1.25 euros to over 23 euros per kilogram. Here it mostly depends on whether the lime comes from wild red algae or from “ordinary” sea algae. There are also algae limes as a dietary supplement for dogs. These mostly contain lime from the lithothamnium algae. This can also be safely used for lime fertilization in the garden.

Here is a small overview of manufacturers and prices of algae lime:

• Cohrs - 25 kilograms for 25.50 euros plus shipping costs
• Cohrs - five kilograms for 18.37 euros
• ManuFACTUM - five kilograms of seaweed for 16 euros plus shipping costs
• Petkost.de - 500 grams for 9.48 euros