From

Location

Message

Date Posted

DeWitt, Iowa

would pond algae act as a fertilizer?

11/5/2009 3:51:14 PM

Foley, Minnesota

It will act as a fertilizer, mostly nitrogen and phosphorus. To find out for sure send a sample in for analysis. Your local cooperative or extension office can send it to a lab for you. $25 to 30 for the test.

11/5/2009 4:29:10 PM

DeWitt, Iowa

does it act somewhat like seaweed? And how much can be used at a time?

11/5/2009 6:17:23 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

No. Seaweed extracts contain micro nutrients, auxins & other plant hormones that never occur in fresh water plants.

11/5/2009 7:10:51 PM

DeWitt, Iowa

so can i use algae tremor?

11/5/2009 10:49:36 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Its like weed nerd said, there will be some NP but not much. If you can properly compost dredgings, go for it. Its beyond most growers.

A friend of mine has his own pond & dredgings to play with. I had him add the dredgings to his compost pile (actually a windrow). Even with his pay loader he has trouble keeping the material aerobic. Those piles require frequent/vigorous turning or the wet heavy stuff turns anaerobic then stinks.

11/6/2009 8:24:48 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Grant, if you pull it out of the pond and let it dry on the bank before you put it in your compost, it should be OK. And if you pond is like most ponds around here with lots of geese, you can collect the goose poo from the banks and put that in your compost as well. Should be real high in nirtogen. Water from the pond would be better than well or city water for your pumpkins. No worry about chlorine, might have some nitrates in it, and it will be much warmer.

11/6/2009 10:43:49 AM

southwest MO

Fresh water algae/seaweed typically tests out like a rich forage grass. 1 or 2% N
0.25 - 0.50% P
0.50 - 1.0% K
1 or 2% Ca etc...
If you can get if from a weed harvester or rake device it would be better. I would avoid dredging the bottom or getting into any black smelly sediment as this material is anaerobic as Tremor said. Dry it out some and mix it with leaves. Compost as usual.

11/6/2009 1:36:32 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I use it. but found that its ok. When using it, I borrowed my ex'es blender to get it real fine works real well.

11/6/2009 7:53:22 PM