In today’s world, where sustainability is taking center stage, algae has emerged as a versatile alternative raw material for various industries and projects. Algae is notably making waves as a biofuel and energy source.
Algae offers various benefits, even in our own homes. If you have an aerium, the algae need to be replaced every 6 to 8 weeks. When you replace the algae your home garden can benefit from the old algae and serve as a fertilizer.
Why Algae Is an Ideal Fertilizer
The concept of using algae fertilizer is not a new one. Aside from its nutritional content, algae offers other benefits when used as a fertilizer.
Pond scum or algae is a living organism. As such, algae is rich in various nutrients that are beneficial for both plants and the soil. These nutrients can help improve the growth and yield of our plants.
Here are some of the advantages of using algae fertilizer for a home garden.
Releases Nutrients Into the Soil
When algae breaks down or decomposes, it releases all the macronutrients and micronutrients it contains into the soil.
Red and Brown Algae as a Source of Potassium
In fact, marine algae has long been used as fertilizer by farmers whose land is close to the sea. Brown and red algae are the types of algae commonly used as farmland fertilizer.
Both of these types of algae are rich in potassium. Potassium can help enhance root growth and improve the plants’ drought resistance. A lack of potassium in the soil can cause stunted plant growth and low crop yield.
Blue-green Algae as a Source of PotassiumBlue-green algae is also used as a biofertilizer for rice crops. The blue-green algae helps restore soil nutrients and support the nitrogen content of the paddy fields.
Blue-green algae also have anti-fungal benefits. They’re also great as a replacement for chemical seed treatments.
The plants in your home and in your garden can benefit from these same advantages!
Facilitates Faster Decomposition
When algae is mixed in with compost, the nutrients and chemicals it releases can speed up the decomposition process. In particular, the nitrogen that algae releases helps break down the other materials in our compost piles.
Reduces Soil Loss During Rains
Dried algae can act as a soil humus. It can help bind the soil and increase its water retention capacity. This helps reduce soil loss during the rainy seasons.
Dried algae can also help improve soil aeration. Aerated and oxidized soil means the roots can absorb nutrients more easily and grow more vigorously.
Using Algae From aerium as Fertilizer
The aerium is an organic air purifier from AlgenAir. Our product is the first of its kind to use algae to clean the air. Algae is a natural air purifier — carbon dioxide passes through and comes into contact with millions of algae cells and gets incorporated into biomass while photosynthesis releases oxygen.
When it is time to replace the algae inside your aerium, simply pour your dense and mature algae into the plants around your home.
Sustainable and Safe Garden Upkeep
Algae is a sustainable, renewable, and economical source of fertilizer. Thanks to its organic nature, algae fertilizers are safer and more environmentally friendly than chemical fertilizers.
Using algae fertilizer allows us to keep our gardens safer, all-natural, and sustainable. More importantly, it allows us to reuse the algae from our aerium air purifiers and reduce waste.