The power of seaweed for soil, plant and ... animal

Even growth, less work

Healthy soil is the basis for any successful crop or sports field. Fert In Time Europe has specialized in supporting horticulture, agriculture and recreational sectors by providing high quality solutions for soil management and plant care. From their headquarters in Brussels, they work with a wide network of professionals across Europe to ensure optimal soil conditions and plant growth.

"We not only look at what is needed today, but also prepare our customers for tomorrow's challenges," says Philippe Debougnoux, CEO of Fert In Time Europe. With this approach, the emphasis is on preventive measures, such as strengthening plants by using biostimulants. These products, based on cold-pressed seaweed extract, help plants become more resistant to diseases and stress factors such as drought and temperature changes. "If you make a plant stronger from the inside, it has a positive impact on everything around it," Philippe emphasizes. 

Fertilizer with 'smart' nitrogen molecules

A common challenge in the industry is curbing peak grass growth after fertilization. After all, this not only affects the quality of the field, but also constitutes a heavy burden, especially for robotic mowers. Fert In Time Europe has therefore developed a fertilizer that spreads growth evenly over the season. Philippe explains: "We use a unique composition of nitrogen molecules that causes the transformation in the soil to slow down. This not only makes the grass more even, but also keeps it stronger and more manageable." This formula, developed in collaboration with an Italian manufacturer, is free of inhibitors and coatings, making it dependent not on weather conditions but on natural bacterial processes in the soil.

Connecting expertise across borders

One of Fert In Time Europe's strengths is its cooperation with international players such as Indigrow Ltd, a British specialist in fertilization and soil care. This cooperation keeps them abreast of the latest techniques and methods. "You always have to be willing to learn," Philippe says. "For example, we have gained a lot of knowledge in the UK, where grass management has been elevated to an art. We then share those insights back with our customers."

In addition, Fert In Time Europe regularly organizes trainings and workshops for customers. This ensures that greenkeepers and groundsmen not only have access to the best products, but can also use them correctly. "It's all about doing the right job at the right time," Philippe adds. "If you understand the soil well and respond to it, you lay a strong foundation for everything that grows on it."

Vitality from the sea

Another important aspect of Fert In Time Europe is the use of natural products. Their biostimulants, made from cold-pressed seaweed extract, contain essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant hormones that contribute to soil and plant vitality. This product is the only one in Belgium that is completely pure and contains no additives. "Our customers see immediate results and don't want to do without it afterwards," says Philippe. "Moreover, we have been intensively researching applications of algae and seaweed in animal feed for about seven years. Our goal? To drastically reduce the use of antibiotics. The results so far are promising," Philippe says. "We took inspiration from Southeast Asia, where algae and seaweeds are a regular part of the diet. Our extracts come mainly from the west coast of Ireland, because the Atlantic Ocean there contains the lowest levels of heavy metals." Philippe continues: "Every day we work on natural solutions that improve not only plant health, but also animal health. The result is clear: healthier crops with higher yields and animals with stronger resistance to disease. A win-win for everyone."