The tide turns for SEAWEED
Always in the background but rarely to the fore, seaweed or “kelp” has played a role in soil fertilisation since time immemorial.
Report by CAROL DUTTON
Slow acting, gentle, rich in minerals and as organic as it gets seaweed has a place in some shape or form -d
dried
and milled, liquid, composted or gel - in most if not all suppliers’ catalogues. Traditionally used on the greens of links courses and generally felt most popular in Scotland, there are signs that this ancient form of natural nutrients is at last moving into the limelight. Graeme Forbes, MD of Edinburgh
Slow acting, gentle, rich in minerals and as organic as it gets seaweed has a place in some shape or form -d
dried
based Stewartsturf who have been producing seaweed products since the company started in 1894, attributes this rising popularity to the call for more sustainable golf and an increase in the use of engineered root zones. “Turf grown on thin, sandy soils lacks vigour as the nutrient and organic levels are too low,” he says. "The use of seaweed is a way of improving the soil without encouraging a lot of growth. It’s a case of producing a vital sward without too much vigour, and is ideally suited to our fescues and bents.”
and milled, liquid, composted or gel - in most if not all suppliers’ catalogues. Traditionally used on the greens of links courses and generally felt most popular in Scotland, there are signs that this ancient form of natural nutrients is at last moving into the limelight. Graeme Forbes, MD of Edinburgh
based Stewartsturf who have been producing seaweed products since the company started in 1894, attributes this rising popularity to the call for more sustainable golf and an increase in the use of engineered root zones. “Turf grown on thin, sandy soils lacks vigour as the nutrient and organic levels are too low,” he says. "The use of seaweed is a way of improving the soil without encouraging a lot of growth. It’s a case of producing a vital sward without too much vigour, and is ideally suited to our fescues and bents.”
Stewartsturf, who have seen sales
of their seaweed products steadily rising over the last two to three years began, like other companies, with the manufacture of dried, milled seaweed before moving on to produce liquid or gel seaweed extract. Then, 15 years ago, Forbes met the late John Walker, a Scottish pioneer in the use of seaweed as a soil improver, who had perfected the art of accelerated composting. “Originally people in coastal areas would collect seaweed from the beach and pile it into heaps or ‘middens’ to let it break down” Forbes continues. “John’s process involved grinding the dried seaweed and then cooking it in a water jacketed cooker before adding water and other ingredients which I’m not prepared to divulge. What this actually does is help the end user by starting the breaking down process. Dried seaweed could sit for years in the ground without anything happening.” Stewartsturf bought the rights to the process, went into production and
Stewartsturf, who have seen sales
of their seaweed products steadily rising over the last two to three years began, like other companies, with the manufacture of dried, milled seaweed before moving on to produce liquid or gel seaweed extract. Then, 15 years ago, Forbes met the late John Walker, a Scottish pioneer in the use of seaweed as a soil improver, who had perfected the art of accelerated composting. “Originally people in coastal areas would collect seaweed from the beach and pile it into heaps or ‘middens’ to let it break down” Forbes continues. “John’s process involved grinding the dried seaweed and then cooking it in a water jacketed cooker before adding water and other ingredients which I’m not prepared to divulge. What this actually does is help the end user by starting the breaking down process. Dried seaweed could sit for years in the ground without anything happening.” Stewartsturf bought the rights to the process, went into production and
Kelpie®, a composted seaweed was has always been
born. Although Kelpie®
popular with Scottish greenkeepers - customers include Royal Troon, St. Andrews Links, Royal Dornoch and The Roxburgh -r
born. Although Kelpie®
recently the product
has become more widespread in the south. Phil Gibson, Course Manager at The
popular with Scottish greenkeepers - customers include Royal Troon, St. Andrews Links, Royal Dornoch and The Roxburgh -r
recently the product
Hatfield London Country Club has no less than 64 greens under his wing. “The new course (18 holes) has two greens for every hole except one, the old course (18 holes) has one green per hole and on top of that we’ve got a nine hole pitch and putt and two putting greens,” he explains. “All our greens, except those on the old course, are USGA spec and even the old ones have a granule size which comes within USGA specifications. I’d been using seaweed products but went on to Kelpie®
about four years
ago because it had the advantage of being composted. I’m aiming towards root development and find I can
about four years
has become more widespread in the south. Phil Gibson, Course Manager at The
Hatfield London Country Club has no less than 64 greens under his wing. “The new course (18 holes) has two greens for every hole except one, the old course (18 holes) has one green per hole and on top of that we’ve got a nine hole pitch and putt and two putting greens,” he explains. “All our greens, except those on the old course, are USGA spec and even the old ones have a granule size which comes within USGA specifications. I’d been using seaweed products but went on to Kelpie®
ago because it had the advantage of being composted. I’m aiming towards root development and find I can
Kelpie®, a composted seaweed was has always been
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