Fish bone meal is an excellent organic fertilizer that provides plants with essential nutrients for healthy growth. Made from fish bones that are dried and ground into a powder, fish bone meal is a rich source of phosphorus and calcium. In this complete guide, we’ll explore the benefits of using fish bone meal and how to properly apply it in your garden.
What is Fish Bone Meal?
Fish bone meal is made from the bones of fish that are caught for human consumption. The bones are cooked, dried at low temperatures, and then ground into a fine powder. Unlike untreated bone meal, the cooking and drying process removes fat and eliminates pathogens.
Fish bone meal typically has an NPK ratio around 4-12-0 or 5-13-0. This means it is moderately high in phosphorus with some nitrogen, but no potassium. The phosphorus content usually ranges from 12% to 13% while calcium content is around 14% to 18%. It also contains trace minerals like magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, and zinc.
As an organic fertilizer, fish bone meal recycles nutrients from fish waste rather than relying on mining finite resources. It’s considered a sustainable fertilizer as long as fish are being commercially harvested.
Key Benefits of Using Fish Bone Meal
Phosphorus is one of the three essential macronutrients plants need, along with nitrogen and potassium. Here are some of the key benefits phosphorus provides:
- Stimulates early root formation and growth
- Improves drought tolerance
- Increases fruit and seed production
- Essential for photosynthesis and chlorophyll production
- Promotes strong stem and stalk growth
- Helps plants properly use water and nutrients
The calcium in fish bone meal also strengthens cell structure and further aids water utilization. The trace minerals benefit enzyme actions needed for plant growth
When and How to Apply Fish Bone Meal
Fish bone meal fertilizer can be applied at planting time and as occasional mid-season side dressing. Follow application rates on the packaging, as too much can burn plants.
Spring Planting Prep
When preparing beds in early spring, mix 1 to 2 cups of fish bone meal per 100 square feet of garden into the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. For new transplants, add 1 tablespoon into the planting hole and mix into soil.
Summer Side-dressing
Side dress crops every 4 to 8 weeks by lightly scratching 1 to 2 tablespoons into the soil around each plant. Water thoroughly afterward to dissolve nutrients.
Fall Bulbs & Perennials
For fall bulb planting, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon into the planting hole and mix well with soil. Also incorporate into soil when transplanting perennials.
Using Fish Bone Meal Effectively
To get the most out of fish bone meal, keep these tips in mind:
-
Get a soil test to determine your garden’s needs. Only apply if soil test shows need for phosphorus.
-
Check soil pH. Phosphorus availability decreases if pH is above 7.5 or below 6.
-
Thoroughly mix into soil, don’t just sprinkle on top. Nutrients release slowly over 1 to 4 months.
-
Water after applying to dissolve nutrients and make available to plant roots.
-
Store properly in sealed containers away from pests. It can attract animals.
-
Avoid overapplying. Excess phosphorus can hinder micronutrient uptake.
-
Alternate applications with nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen aids phosphorus absorption.
-
Reapply mid-season if needed, but not more than every 4 to 8 weeks.
Fish Bone Meal vs. Alternatives
While fish bone meal is a excellent organic source of phosphorus, there are some alternatives to consider:
-
Rock phosphate is cheaper but releases phosphorus very slowly.
-
Colloidal phosphate offers immediately available phosphorus.
-
Cottonseed meal provides phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
-
Composted animal manures like chicken manure or cow manure contain phosphorus.
-
Comfrey leaves are rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium.
-
Guanos like bat guano or seabird guano provide phosphorus and nitrogen.
The bottom line is fish bone meal is one of the best organic sources of phosphorus, which is essential for productive gardens. When used properly by soil testing first and applying carefully, it can really boost phosphorus levels for optimal plant growth and fruiting.
Fish bone meal | Down to earth | Product overview
FAQ
What plants benefit from fish bone meal?
How to use fish bone meal for plants?
Can you sprinkle bone meal on top of soil?
What are the disadvantages of bone meal?
How do you use fish bone meal fertilizer?
This will help provide your trees and shrubs with the necessary nutrients they need to thrive. For flowering plants and bulbs, apply fish bone meal fertilizer at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per planting hole. Mix it into the soil before planting or sprinkle it on top of the soil and work it in with a hoe or rake.
What are the best foods for strong bones?
The best foods for bones are the ones rich in calcium. These are: milk, cheese and other dairy foods, green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, soy beans, tofu, plant-based drinks with added calcium, nuts, bread and anything made with fortified flour, fish such as sardines and pilchards.
What plants eat bone meal?
Tomatoes, zucchinis, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and beets all thrive when given the extra phosphorous bone meal fertilizer provides. Can you sprinkle bone meal on top of soil?
Why is fish bone meal fertilizer important?
Calcium is necessary for strong cell walls and helps to prevent diseases like blossom end rot in tomatoes. Fish Bone Meal Fertilizer also contains nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and development. Nitrogen helps to promote leafy growth and is important for the production of chlorophyll.
What plants eat fish meal?
The slow-release nature of fish meal makes it an excellent choice for maintaining healthy turf. Flowers: Flowering plants such as roses, marigolds, and petunias benefit from the nutrients in fish meal, which promote vibrant blooms and overall plant health.
Can fish bone meal fertilizer be used as a foliar spray?
Fish Bone Meal Fertilizer can be applied as a foliar spray to give your plants a needed boost of nutrients. Fish bone meal fertilizer can also be used as a foliar spray, which means that it can be applied directly to the leaves of plants. This is a quick and easy way to provide plants with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.