The Merits of Seaweed

Why did I get damp and smelly down at the beach this week?
Well, it was all for the good of the allotment as I found out recently that seaweed's invaluable to improve the soil and the crop of vegetables and fruit because:

1. When spread upon the soil and 'rained upon' the salt permeates the soil, thus discouraging slugs and snails; 
2. Once the salt has been leached out the seaweed will be superb as it improves the water-holding quality of the soil (vital here by the seaside); and 
3. It will add many nutrients, although temporarily (about 15 weeks, with dried blood or loam speeding up this process) there'll be less nitrogen so Autumn is a good time to apply seaweed. It feeds the bacteria in the soil.  According to organic farmers it contains lots of nutrients: vitamins, all trace elements (in a form acceptable to plants), growth hormones, also disease- controlling qualities.  
4. It's sustainable and renewable.  

WOW!!

• Some people apply the seaweed at the depth of a spade or two at the rate of a barrow-load per square metre.  
• If putting on the compost heap, mix with woody or fibrous material, or paper such as newspaper, to help it avoid it becoming slimy. 
• Or can use as a mulch but this may become rather smelly (it's certainly been smelly in the car!).

However, there's no public right to collect it, unless you own the beach.  I should have thought we had the right to collect it because:

1. It would save the Council money by them having to clear less from the beaches; and
2. Surely we've paid towards it in our (high) Council Taxes and our (also high) Water Rates, which cover keeping our coastline clean.

Incidentally, at this site: http://www.giapo.com/blog/sea-weed-salad/, there's a recipe for Seaweed Salad Sorbet!  Also: http://www.oceanvegetables.com/seaweed-recipes.html.  Full of nutrients!