Have you ever wondered if kelp and seaweed are the same thing? Many people in Australia tend to use the term “kelp” to refer to all types of seaweed, but the truth is that they are not exactly the same. Seaweed is a type of algae, and there are around 10,000 species of seaweed in the world, categorised into three groups: brown, red, and green. While kelp is a type of brown seaweed, there is another type of brown seaweed that is quite different – Ascophyllum nodosum.
This seaweed is the king of seaweeds and is highly sought after by the seaweed industry. We choose the best quality Seaweed for inclusion in our soil blends and liquid fertiliser products, which is 100% pure Ascophyllum nodosum that has sustainably harvested under strict environmental standards in Norway.
Kelp, on the other hand, is a huge seaweed that grows in deep water and can form entire eco-systems on its own, providing food and shelter for other marine life. In Tasmania, there are “forests” of Bull Kelp that cannot be harvested as they are protected, so the Tasmanian seaweed industry relies on storms to break the kelp off and wash it up onto beaches for collection.
While both kelp and Ascophyllum nodosum can be bought as a dry seaweed meal or as a sprayable seaweed product for plants and gardens, it is important to note that Ascophyllum nodosum is the most studied seaweed in the world and is scientifically proven to be the most effective for agriculture. This is why we source pure Ascophyllum nodosum – Seaperia, which is 100% pure Ascophyllum nodosum from Norway.
So, the next time you are looking for a kelp or seaweed product, make sure to check the label and look for the one that is 100% pure Ascophyllum nodosum. While kelp and other types of seaweed may be cheaper, they simply cannot compare to the benefits that pure Ascophyllum nodosum can provide for plant, animal, and soil health.
For more great information on the value of seaweed check out the blog at Seaperia – Seaweed Enterprises Australia.