As gardeners and homeowners become increasingly aware of the drawbacks and risks of using synthetic fertilizers, they turn to organic solutions to meet plant nutritional needs. Plants require three primary nutrients found in most fertilizers -- nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium -- as well as 10 additional nutrients and trace minerals. Bone meal and blood meal provide organic sources for phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively. In addition, bone meal supplies calcium, another important plant nutrient.
Instructions
1. Collect and submit a soil sample for testing. Both nitrogen and phosphorus, provided by blood and bone meal, can harm plants and your local environment if used in excess of what you need. Only add amendments if test results indicate a need.
2. Spread 5 to 10 lbs. of blood meal over every 100 square feet of soil that indicated a need in the soil test results.
3. Spread 10 pounds of bone meal over every 100 square feet of soil that indicated a need in the soil test results.
4. Incorporate the blood and bone meal into the soil with a garden fork or tiller.
Related posts
Work fertilizers into the soil, where they benefit the plant's root system.Like people, plants need nutrients to grow. The chemicals they use in large quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorous and...
Aside from nitrogen and potassium, plants absorb more calcium from the soil than any other mineral nutrient. As one of the six macronutrients -- those minerals required in abundant quantities for...
Young plants may struggle to grow in soils with poor calcium.Calcium deficiency in a garden can cause growth problems on buds and new shoots in plants, as well as deformed fruits from diseases suc...
For optimum growth, green pepper plants need a well-balanced soil not too rich in nitrogen.Green pepper plants grow and produce best in warm temperatures and full sun. Because of this, they are no...
Gypsum is a common mineral that is used as a lawn additive. It helps to aerate and loosen compacted soils and it adds needed minerals such as calcium and sulfur. Gypsum is typically applied the sa...
