The Marine Fertilizers – Acadie

Understanding Marine Fertilizers

What It Is and Why It Is Important

Organic marine fertilizers are natural fertilizers derived from marine sources, including fish, seaweed, kelp, and shrimp by-products. They are rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK), micronutrients, and growth-promoting compounds. This allows these types of fertilizers to support robust plant growth, improve soil health, and enhance microbial activity.

Since these fertilizers are repurposed marine by-products, they are a sustainable and eco-friendly option when it comes to providing your plants with an organic, chemical-free alternative to synthetic fertilizers. By using organic marine fertilizers, gardeners and farmers can nourish their plants and soil in harmony with nature to promote a healthier ecosystem and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices.

You can apply marine fertilizers during plants’ active growth periods, which are generally from early spring through late summer or early fall. That said, it’s important to consider your climate and the specific plants you are growing to create the best fertilizer process.

Types of Marine Fertilizers

Seaweed Fertilizer

Source: Made from various species of seaweed (marine plants).
Nutrients: Rich in micronutrients, trace elements, and plant growth hormones like cytokinins, gibberellins, and auxins.
Benefits: Enhances plant growth, improves soil health, and increases resistance to stress and diseases. It’s available in liquid, meal, or granular forms and is especially beneficial for promoting foliage and root development.

Fish Fertilizer

Source: Made from whole fish, fish scraps, or fish by-products not used for human consumption.
Nutrients: Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), as well as several micronutrients essential for plant growth.
Benefits: Provides a quick-release form of organic nitrogen and other nutrients, promoting rapid plant growth. It’s particularly effective for leafy plants and can be used as a foliar spray or soil amendment. However, it may have a strong odour.

Key Differences

Nutrient Composition: While all are rich in nutrients, their compositions vary. Fish fertilizer is high in NPK, seaweed and kelp are rich in micronutrients and growth hormones, and shrimp fertilizer is particularly rich in calcium and nitrogen.

Release Rate: Fish fertilizer generally provides nutrients more quickly than shrimp, kelp, or seaweed, which offer more gradual nutrient release.

Specific Benefits: Each has unique benefits, such as disease resistance from shrimp fertilizer due to chitin, growth hormone influences from seaweed and kelp, and rapid nutrient availability from fish fertilizer.

Application and Form: These fertilizers come in different forms (liquid, meal, powder, granules) and their application may vary based on the form and the specific garden or farm need.

General Tips for Use

Formulation for Seedlings: Choose a product that is specifically formulated for young plants or seedlings. These formulations are gentler and designed to support the delicate stage of growth seedlings are in.

Liquid Fertilizers: Liquid fertilizers are generally recommended for seedlings because they can be diluted to a gentler strength and are easier for young plants to absorb compared to granular types.

When & How to Use Acadie Products

Natural Fresh Seaweed Concentrate (0.6-0-6)

Fresh seaweed concentrate, like the product from Acti-Sol, is a versatile and potent organic fertilizer that provides a range of benefits to plants and soil. It’s derived from seaweed, making it rich in micronutrients, vitamins, and plant growth hormones, which can help stimulate growth, enhance root development, and improve plant resilience against environmental stressors. Here’s a general guide on when and how often to apply it:

When to Use

Growing Season: Apply during the growing season when plants are actively growing. This is typically from early spring through late summer or early fall, depending on your climate zone.
After Planting: It’s beneficial to use seaweed concentrate after planting or transplanting to help reduce transplant shock and encourage root growth.
During Critical Growth Phases: Use it during key growth stages such as flowering, fruit setting, and development to provide the necessary nutrients and growth stimulants.
Stressed Plants: Apply to plants that are under stress from environmental conditions, such as drought, frost, or high salinity.

How Often to Apply

General Maintenance: For general plant health and vigour, applying seaweed concentrate every 2-4 weeks is typically recommended.
Vegetable Gardens: For fast-growing vegetables, a more frequent application every 1-2 weeks can be beneficial, especially during peak growth periods.
Flowers and Ornamentals: Apply every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to promote healthy blooms.
Lawns: Apply every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to support grass health and resilience.
Fruit Trees and Bushes: Every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, especially during flowering and fruit development stages.

Please see product details for specific application instructions and learn more about this fertilizer.

Hydrolyzed Fish (2-4-0.5)

Hydrolyzed fish fertilizer, as offered by Acti-Sol and similar companies, is a potent liquid fertilizer derived from the enzymatic decomposition of fish. Unlike fish emulsion, hydrolyzed fish fertilizer retains more of the fish’s amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients, making it an excellent source of fast-acting, organic nitrogen and other essential nutrients. It’s highly beneficial for promoting rapid plant growth, improving soil health, and enhancing microbial activity. Here’s a guide on when and how often to apply hydrolyzed fish fertilizer:

When to Use

Seedling Growth: Apply to young plants and seedlings to encourage strong root development and vigorous early growth.
Vegetative Growth Phase: Use during the active vegetative growth phase of plants to support lush, healthy growth.
Pre-Flowering and Flowering Stages: Apply before and during the flowering stage to promote robust flower development and set the stage for fruiting.
Stressed or Transplanted Plants: Use on plants that are stressed from environmental factors, pests, or diseases or after transplanting to reduce shock and stimulate root growth.
Soil Amendment: Apply to the soil to improve its nutrient content and microbial activity, enhancing overall soil health.

How Often to Apply

Vegetables and Annuals: Apply every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to support their rapid growth and high nutrient needs.
Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs: For these slower-growing plants, an application at the beginning of their growth cycle and possibly a mid-season application should suffice.
Lawns: Apply in early spring to kickstart growth and again in fall to prepare the lawn for winter. Some may also apply it mid-summer to maintain vigour, especially in high-traffic or stressed areas.
During Active Growth Periods: Frequency can be adjusted based on the plant’s growth stage and visible needs. More frequent applications may be beneficial during periods of rapid growth or when recovering from stress.

Please see product details for specific application instructions and learn more about this fertilizer.

Vit-alg Marine Seaweed Solution (Ready to Use!)

The Vit-Alg Marine Seaweed Solution, as offered by Acti-Sol, is a concentrated liquid seaweed extract designed to provide plants with a wide range of nutrients, trace elements, and natural growth hormones such as cytokinins, gibberellins, and auxins. This type of product is typically used to stimulate plant growth, enhance root development, and improve plant resilience against environmental stresses. Here are some guidelines on when and how often to apply this seaweed solution:

When to Use

Seedling Growth: Apply to seedlings to encourage strong root development and robust early growth.
Vegetative Growth: Use during the plant’s active vegetative growth phase to support overall health and vigour.
Pre-Flowering and Flowering: Applying before and during the flowering stage can promote more abundant and healthier blooms.
Stress Recovery: Ideal for plants recovering from transplant shock, environmental stress (drought, frost), or pest/disease damage to aid in their recovery.
Periodic Soil Enhancement: Apply to the soil to improve its nutrient content and microbial health, enhancing overall soil fertility.

How Often to Apply

Regular Maintenance: For ongoing plant health and vigour, applying every 2-4 weeks during the growing season is typically recommended.
Intensive Care: For plants in need of recovery from stress or to support significant growth phases (e.g., flowering), applications can be more frequent, such as every 1-2 weeks until the desired improvement is observed.
Seasonal Consideration: Begin applications in early spring as plants start active growth and continue through the growing season until late summer or early fall, depending on the specific climate and plant types.

Please see product details for specific application instructions and learn more about this fertilizer.

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening and fertilizing!