Can Seaweed Be Used for Fertilizer on Palm Trees?

Preparing Seaweed

• If you live near the coast and have collected fresh seaweed from the shore, make sure to wash the pieces thoroughly yet gently under cool water. Place the washed pieces in a clean bucket. This helps to remove the salt from sea that becomes lodged in the seaweed.

Preparing the Area

• Using a trowel or shovel, break up the soil around the palm tree. You also may want to cut back plants that are around the palm if they are unneeded or weeds. You will be applying the seaweed directly to the soil, so make sure you have a sufficient soil ground cover.

Applying the Seaweed

• Lay the seaweed pieces on top of the soil surrounding the palm tree. Seaweed decomposes into soil and the organic matter helps to nourish and fortify the palm tree's root system. Layer the seaweed on the soil from about 2 to 4 inches deep.

Kelp Meal

• A seaweed product that you can mix into your soil -- generally called "kelp meal" -- also can be used in the soil in which palm trees are growing. Kelp meal is rich in carbohydrates and promotes the growth of micro-organisms that help support healthy soil.