Blood meal fertilizer is a natural and effective method for deterring pests in gardens. It has a strong smell that repels animals like deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles from entering the garden. However, it has several drawbacks to consider before spreading it throughout your garden.
One of the main advantages of blood meal is its ability to repel animals like deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles. To use blood meal effectively, sprinkle it lightly across the leaves and at the base of any nibbled plants in your vegetable garden. The strong smell of blood meal helps to reduce the risk of damage to plants.
However, blood meal may not be effective against all pests, and additional pest control measures may be necessary. Miracle-Gro® Organics Blood Meal provides a boost of nitrogen to promote shoot and flower growth, feeding plants for up to two months for more blooms and vibrant color. It also aids in keeping foraging critters like squirrels and rabbits at bay.
A natural alternative to pest control, blood meal can keep prey-pests away, such as mice, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks away from areas sprinkled with blood meal. In the short term, blood meal will keep deer and rabbits away, but it can also attract animal pests.
Miracle-Gro® Organics Blood Meal is ECOCERT certified and can help keep plant-eating pests away, but it can also attract meat-eaters like dogs, raccoons, or possums.
In conclusion, blood meal is an excellent fertilizer to use when trying to ensure the flourishing of plants during the fall season. However, it is important to consider the pros and cons of using blood meal before spreading it throughout your garden.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| ORGANIC BLOOD MEAL | A natural alternative to pest control, keep prey-pests away! Mice, squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks avoid areas sprinkled with blood meal! | knippelgardencentre.com |
| How to Use Blood Meal Fertilizer in the Garden | Apart from fertilizer, this product is frequently used to deter certain types of animal pests. … Does blood meal repel deer? It does … | epicgardening.com |
| Has anyone used blood meal to repel critters? : r/gardening | Blood meal does not work, don’t waste your time. Marigolds and borage will not repel woodchucks and groundhogs, either. | reddit.com |
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Does Blood Meal Keep Animals Away?
Blood meal is a nitrogen-rich fertilizer derived from animal blood, primarily known for its ability to repel unwanted animals such as deer, rabbits, moles, and voles, which can damage gardens significantly. The strong scent of blood meal is thought to deter squirrels and raccoons, as it reminds them of predators. However, there are mixed reports about its effectiveness; some believe it doesn't work effectively on all pests, and its application may draw pets and wild animals to the garden in search of the source of the odor.
While blood meal can effectively keep away certain animals, it can also attract carnivorous species, posing additional risks. Overapplication can harm plant roots, while underapplication may not yield desired results. Users should exercise caution, as ingestion of blood meal by pets can lead to health issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
To maximize benefits, blood meal should be sprinkled lightly around affected plants and reapplied after rainfall. Additionally, when used with deterrent methods such as sensor sprinklers, it may enhance its effectiveness against pests like squirrels. While there is some debate about its efficacy, when used properly, blood meal may provide a natural solution for pest control in gardens.
Can You Sprinkle Blood Meal On Top Of Soil?
Enjoy the fun of gardening! Blood meal is an excellent choice for planting seedlings; simply sprinkle it in the planting hole or amend your soil with it. For optimal results, combine it with bone meal to provide phosphorus and calcium, and add a potassium source like wood ash. You can also sprinkle blood meal lightly on the leaves and at the base of nibbled plants in your vegetable garden. As an organic option, blood meal avoids chemical fertilizers.
When applying bone meal, distribute it evenly over the soil and mix it in well. In dry weather, ensure watering after application. When preparing beds, incorporate blood meal at a rate of 1 cup per 20 square feet. For existing flower beds, sprinkle it around plants and lightly work it into the soil, applying it early in the season.
If you decide to sprinkle blood meal on top of the soil, be cautious not to overapply, as excessive nitrogen can harm plants. Mix blood meal thoroughly with potting soil when planting new plants. For top-dressing, evenly distribute it on the soil surface while avoiding contact with plant leaves or stems, then water to help absorption. Blood meal can also be prepared for direct application by mixing it into the top few inches of soil at 1–2 pounds per 100 square feet.
An organic approach includes using Blood, Fish and Bone, rich in nitrogen and phosphate, which can be sprinkled on warm soil. For existing plants, apply 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet, mixed into the soil or side-dressed. Always dilute or mix blood meal to adjust nitrogen levels properly, benefiting plant growth and enhancing lushness.
Does Blood Meal Fertilizer Kill Deer?
Blood meal fertilizer is a well-liked option among gardeners aiming to keep deer, rabbits, and other pests away from their plants. Sourced from dried and powdered animal blood, primarily from cows or pigs, it offers both benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages include:
- Pest Deterrent: Blood meal's potent scent can repel animals such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles, as they associate it with predators. This makes it an effective deterrent for protecting garden beds.
- High Nitrogen Content: Blood meal is rich in nitrogen, which is beneficial for plant growth, enhancing fertility in nitrogen-needy plants.
- Organic Nature: Being an organic option, blood meal allows gardeners to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers.
- Compost Activation: It can also act as an activator in composting processes.
While blood meal is effective in many scenarios, there are some considerations:
- Despite its repellent qualities, some animals, including certain herbivores and carnivorous wildlife, may be attracted to it either due to the salt content or out of curiosity.
- The effectiveness of blood meal can vary; not all deer or pests may be sufficiently deterred, making it essential to evaluate its use alongside other strategies.
In summary, blood meal fertilizer is a practical organic solution for pest control in gardens, especially against deer and rabbits, while enriching the soil with nitrogen. Careful application is important to maximize its benefits while minimizing unexpected animal attraction.
Can You Put Blood Meal Around Tomato Plants?
Plants such as asparagus, broccoli, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes thrive with blood meal, an organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen that enhances soil nutrients and stimulates growth. Ideal for tomatoes, blood meal promotes flowering and lush foliage while deterring pests like deer and squirrels with its strong odor. When using blood meal, moderation is key; it should be applied according to package instructions for safety.
It effectively boosts tomato growth, particularly during early development stages, contributing to overall plant health and productivity. Proper application involves incorporating about 2 tablespoons into planting holes, ensuring the nitrogen needed for vibrant growth is supplied. Blood meal is most beneficial when mixed into soil at appropriate times during the growing season, enhancing nutrient availability in colder soils. However, it can attract unwanted wildlife, so it’s advisable to apply it in a ring around the base of plants rather than directly on them.
Blood meal effectively nourishes heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers, helping maintain vigorous growth. Additionally, it can decrease soil pH, promoting acidity when introduced early in the gardening process. A single application of blood meal can address nitrogen deficiencies and sustain plant needs for 6 to 8 weeks, making it a valuable addition to any organic gardening regimen.
Does Blood Meal Repel Pests?
Blood meal serves as an effective organic pest deterrent and fertilizer. Its strong odor repels common garden pests such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles, making it a valuable addition to any vegetable garden. By lightly sprinkling blood meal on the leaves and around the bases of plants that have been nibbled, gardeners can effectively ward off these unwanted visitors. The product is derived from the drying and grinding of animal blood, typically from cattle, resulting in a high-nitrogen powder that enriches soil fertility and supports robust plant growth.
While blood meal has numerous benefits, both pros and cons can be associated with its use. Among the advantages, its ability to deter pests stands out. The scent of blood meal mimics that of a predator, prompting rodents and other animals to stay away from treated areas. Additionally, the high nitrogen content not only guards against infestations but also promotes lush foliage and vibrant blooms.
However, some criticisms exist regarding blood meal's efficacy. Certain gardeners report that it may not work as effectively against all pests, suggesting that it may not deter persistent animals like raccoons or groundhogs. Furthermore, blood meal needs to be reapplied after rain or watering to maintain its effectiveness.
Despite its limitations, blood meal is considered an excellent option for organic gardeners, offering both nutrient enrichment and pest control. For optimal results, it can be combined with other deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers, to enhance its protective capabilities. Overall, blood meal contributes positively to garden health while minimizing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
What Plants Don'T Like Blood Meals?
Blood meal is a potent organic fertilizer derived from dried blood, primarily from cows, and is rich in nitrogen, making it beneficial for many plants, particularly fruits, vegetables, and flowers. However, it is crucial to avoid applying blood meal to legumes such as peas and beans, due to their unique symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for the plants. This relationship allows legumes to thrive without additional nitrogen fertilizers.
While blood meal can enhance growth in nitrogen-hungry plants like leafy greens, brassicas (e. g., cauliflower and broccoli), and alliums (e. g., onions and garlic), care must be taken to avoid nitrogen overload, which can lead to negative consequences like yellowing and wilting leaves caused by imbalances in chlorophyll production.
Moreover, the application of blood meal can impact soil pH and may not suit all plant species; therefore, it is essential to consider individual plant requirements before use. Alternatives to blood meal should be explored for those plants that do not thrive with it, including seedlings and legumes.
Overall, blood meal can be an effective organic fertilizer but comes with precautions and limitations. Its proper usage can promote a healthy garden, while improper application may hinder plant growth and soil health. Practicing caution and understanding the specific needs of different plant species will ensure optimal results in gardening endeavors.
What Is Miracle-Gro ® Organics Blood Meal?
Miracle-Gro® Organics Blood Meal is a high-nitrogen fertilizer designed to enhance plant growth, particularly for flowers and vegetables. It provides a significant nitrogen boost, promoting robust shoot and flower development, and is effective for up to 2 months, resulting in more blooms and vibrant colors in your garden. This organic product is beneficial not only for plants but also serves as a deterrent against foraging animals like squirrels and rabbits.
The blood meal, with an N-P-K ratio of 12-0-0, is ideal for establishing healthy plants, particularly junipers, which require regular fertilization to support root development during their early growth stages. It acts as a slow-release fertilizer, maintaining nutrient levels in the soil over a period of one to four months.
Moreover, using blood meal can adjust nitrogen levels without resorting to synthetic fertilizers, aligning with organic gardening practices. Its application is suitable for various garden elements, including flowers, vegetables, bulbs, trees, and shrubs. Additionally, its slightly acidic properties benefit acid-loving plants.
Miracle-Gro Nature's Care Organic Blood Meal is made from 100% composted blood, ensuring it is free from synthetic additives, making it an effective organic choice. Its use can lead to lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and bountiful harvests, reinforcing the natural beauty of gardens.
For optimal application, it is recommended to use this fertilizer periodically throughout the growing season. Overall, Miracle-Gro® Organics Blood Meal is a valuable tool for gardeners seeking to enhance plant vitality, improve aesthetics, and manage pests organically, all while being mindful of the health of their soil and environment.
How Long Does Blood Meal Last In Soil?
Blood meal fertilizers are effective for adjusting soil pH and can rejuvenate nutrients in depleted soil. Designed to be used sparingly—1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet—this organic fertilizer, derived from dried animal blood from slaughterhouses, has an NPK ratio of 12. 5-1. 5-0. 6, providing a natural solution for sustainable gardening. Its slow-release properties mean that it lasts between 6 to 8 weeks between applications, with a consistent supply of nitrogen, making it beneficial for plants when applied in spring and reapplied every 2 to 3 months.
While blood meal offers high nitrogen levels that boost plant growth, careful use is essential to avoid burning plants from excessive nitrogen. It is available in powder or granular form, providing great flexibility in application. Factors influencing how long blood meal lasts in soil include soil type and moisture levels, but generally, it can remain effective for several months.
Blood meal not only enhances nitrogen levels in your soil but also can increase acidity, which benefits crops like squash, peppers, radishes, and onions. Furthermore, it plays a sustainable role by recycling by-products from the meat industry, thus minimizing waste.
For effective soil amendment, add just a cup of blood meal per 20 feet of garden space. This small quantity effectively improves soil quality, helping plants grow lush and green. Blood meal can also deter animals when sprinkled lightly but should be mixed into the soil for optimal nitrogen adjustment. With proper storage, blood meal can last for years, making it a reliable long-term addition to your gardening supplies.
Does Blood Meal Kill Pests?
Blood meal serves as both a fertilizer and a natural pest deterrent due to its strong scent, which repels various animals such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles. This unique benefit helps safeguard gardens from potential damage caused by these critters. It's important to remember, however, that blood meal may not deter all pests and additional pest control strategies may be required.
When used properly, blood meal strengthens trees and plants during fall, preparing them for winter. Despite its effectiveness, there are pros and cons associated with its usage. Among the advantages, aside from being a natural fertilizer that enriches soil and promotes plant growth, the distinct odor of blood meal can act as a barrier against unwanted animal pests. Gardeners can sprinkle blood meal around susceptible plants or create boundaries to further protect their gardens.
However, blood meal can also attract certain pests, as some animals may be drawn to its smell rather than deterred. This dual effect necessitates thoughtful application, especially since the deterrent effect can diminish after rain or watering, requiring frequent reapplication. While many gardeners over the years have claimed that blood meal successfully keeps pests away, its effectiveness may vary.
Overall, using blood meal can contribute positively to both plant health and pest management, but one must be aware of the need for comprehensive pest control measures tailored to specific garden challenges.
Does Miracle Gro Kill Plants?
Miracle-Gro is a highly concentrated fertilizer that, when overused, can seriously damage or kill garden plants. It is effective if used with caution, following proper instructions. Commercial fertilizers display three main nutrient percentages: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Although Miracle-Gro is generally safe for most plants, it’s crucial to check for specific plant nutrient needs, as incorrect fertilization could be harmful.
Symptoms of over-fertilization are often irreversible once visible. If caught early, diluting the fertilizer using excessive water might help. Miracle-Gro does contain nitrogen, which, if applied in excess, can harm both plants and soil. Inappropriate doses can lead to plant death without a specific quantity identified. While Miracle-Gro is safe for pets, it can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested in large amounts. Excessive use can lead to complications in soil health and can burn plant leaves and roots.
Users often cite experiences where over-application resulted in damaged plants. It's necessary to build organic matter in soil to mitigate the risk of damage from synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro. While it's quick to provide nutrients through its water-soluble formula, care must be taken to avoid direct application that could harm delicate plants. Ultimately, careful application following guidelines can prevent issues, while ignorance of the product's potency can lead to significant garden losses.
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Miracle-Gro is a popular brand of plant food, but is it really a miracle for your garden? This video explores the pros and cons of …
If you enjoyed this article, please “Like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for perusal 😀TIMESTAMPS here: 0:00 All About Blood Meal Fertilizer 3:28 When To Use Blood Meal 5:38 Plants That Love Blood Meal 7:24 How Blood Meal Works 8:22 How Blood Meal Repels Pests 9:35 How To Apply Blood Meal 13:57 Adventures With Dale
I have said it before, will say it again…this is the FINEST gardener on Youtube. He nails the details on every topic he covers. I am in the process of hardening my sweet potatoes as he taught, works like a charm. My last years potatoes lasted a whole year! And I tripled my output this year. Bravo Mr. M.G.! Here is a tip for you, to say thanks for all you do. Dice your orange Sweet potatoes into half inch cubes or so. Then fry them in oil, medium heat, don’t want to burn them, but they need to have some heat to develop those crispy bits…about half way through the cooking process, add diced walnuts, similar in size to the potatoes or a little bigger. They don’t take as long. I season with salt, onion power and garlic powder, but add your own favs. Once the nuts and potatoes take on some color and crisp up a bit they are done. It’s my go to quick meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Satisfying, savory, sweet and delicious. The simplest things in life really are the best. Enjoy!
We have chickens that we use as a food source, what we tend to do is have a 5 gallon bucket with some water in it for the fluid to drain into. Afterwards we top it off with water and use that watered down from the source to feed our fruit trees and add to the garden’s irrigation ditches when watering. Usually the culling is done at the beginning of the spring or autumn season so it’s usually at the beginning stages after the seeds have sprouted or before the tree goes to flower. We’ve had great results, as did my father before me, I was raised to never waste anything. Every part of the chicken that we do not eat goes back into the garden someway or another. Same goes for the occasional deer or rabbit that we hunt.
The duplex I’ve been living in for the last 17 years was sold and the new owners want to live in my side. (That’s what I get for taking such good care of this side) It looks like I’m going to end up living in an apartment. I HATE the thought of not being able to plant anything in the ground, and hope I can at least use grow bags on a deck.
I use bonemeal and blood meal. Also used liquid fish fertilizer for nitrogen. I try and find sales or buy in bulk because I noticed the 3lb. bags are pricey. I love Espoma products and they have a great all around fertilizer called Gardentone if the others are too confusing. With drought in many areas I’m thinking that if a garden isn’t doing well it will be more likely the plants are not staying hydrated enough to use nutrients. Drip emitter irrigation has changed A Lot in my garden. Saved time, money and a HUGE change in plant growth especially root crops. Highly advise. Now, my experience with blood meal is, yes, it stinks. I noticed after applying instantly there were these strange flies that came out of nowhere. It is also pricey. And my experience with fish emulsion is I had instant raccoon visits. I almost bought more blood meal, but then remembered we just got chickens again this year and the manure has plenty of nitrogen 👏🏼👏🏼 and phosphorus. I do love the bonemeal and it does have some nitrogen as well. I’ve seen how it brought back to life some rhubarb that was close to dead. The roots were like jelly and there wasn’t much left, but I threw in a handful of bonemeal and moved the poor plants away from encroaching trees and they recovered beautifully. It really was amazing. So for new gardeners I highly suggest irrigation if your area is dry and throw all the organic material you can at the garden. Don’t worry about separate amendments for now and get an organic all purpose fertilizer like Espoma Gardentone.
I always include blood meal and bone meal in my grow bags, along with worm castings, compost if I have some, and some slow-release organic fertilizer. I first started using blood meal to repel rabbits in my in-ground gardens back in the 80s, worked great. I don’t overdo any of them, that could be problematic. I find most of your articles very useful, I especially liked your sweet potato curing chamber, I use that rig now myself. Keepup the good work!
I’m thinking of using some of this in my cold frame for my broccoli since it’s actually pretty inexpensive! I just remembered another article with tomato plants that survived heat under an overhang today because I have a bunch of cherry tomatoes that survived a dip into the upper 20s last week and are still ripening up some fruit! I have them under a south facing, clear plastic overhang that I built to enjoy the winter sun with my layers on! Apparently it’s created quite an impressive microclimate!
Thank you so much for all your articles! They’re very informative! I actually have a question that I hope someone could take the time to answer? I’m not a gardener yet, but I’ll be getting an opportunity to garden soon. I’m looking to plant some bare-root strawberries sometime in early September in a raised bed, and I was wondering if it would be wise to add some blood meal to help them get better established before next year’s cropping? To give more context to my plans in hopes of getting a more accurate answer; In the same bed, I would be aiming to plant onions in spring, and maybe a borage plant. I also live in the UK, but the bed I have in mind would come with a sort of… greenhouse shelter top, so the plants wouldn’t get exposed to rain when I wouldn’t want them to. Should I apply bloodmeal at the time of planting the bare roots? Should I wait? Or should I not apply it at all? Thank you so much for your time!
We call this product “Blood and Bone” here in Australia. When added to rock minerals and Phosphorus this is a hell of a nutrient boost. I suggest to be very light on the does with Blood meal it can be surprisingly harsh on plants. I use it when building a new bed or thrown into my compost to sit for some time before using on my plants and trees.
Thank you for another great article! This comes at a fantastic time because I just recently started using blood meal in my garden. I have a key lime, a Persian lime, and a Meyer lemon tree that have been giving me issues. The Persian lime lasted in the garage very well in a container with minimal stress. However the key lime and the Meyer lemon really suffered a lot of damage and Branch death. I have trimmed out all of the damage on both of them, and put everybody outside. I am very glad to report that my key lime is sprouting leaves like absolute crazy. I’m going to focus on the vegetative growth this year and not so much their fruit bearing. I really want them to recover and my Meyer lemon finally is starting to show buds that she might be trying to grow leaves. I live in zone 8 and I’m considering leaving them outside this winter. They really did not handle life in the garage very well and their containers even though I had a grow light on them changing the hours from 6 hours a day to 12 hours a day interchangeably to give them different lighting.
Love your content ! Thank you ! I was wondering if I could add a little tiny bit to my seedling babies before transplanting ? I know you had mentioned being able to do for transplanting but they are not ready to be put into the garden quite yet so is it still to early ? Should I wait until they go into the ground ?
I don’t know what I would do without you! Left my home state of CA almost 3 years ago & landed in TX. Just bought 5 acres of land in NE Texas. I have had to relearn how to garden. It’s been a gigantic undertaking for me. You & a couple others on here, help me so much. You don’t realize how invaluable you are for me. I also belong to the Dallas Garden Club (invaluable) & take as many classes as possible. This past summer I had my most successful garden EVER! In the tinyiest backyard you can imagine! I had a jungle & so much beautiful food. I was canning like a madwoman 😂. You, & those like you, inspire me & I love the whole process. I was hoping your new property in FL would be different soil than that in NC only because I went from the best soil in CA to a nightmare of clay. But…I’m not giving up!! I wish I could send you more, but times are hard right now & it’s the best I can offer. Just want you to know how appreciative I am of you. Thank you so very much. -👩🏻🌾Meems
Blood meal is great when you need nitrogen and iron the downside is the potential to burn if you are not careful with your applications. I use it in my vineyard for quick nitrogen to help grapes bloom out early in the season when they use a lot of nitrogen. I prefer feather meal for a heavier application as it breaks down so slow i can put it down in the fall and it wont leach out by spring and then add some blood meal on top of it. Its great for onions provided you supply sulfur with it ammonium sulfate really is the best nitrogen for onions even if it is synthetic because it has nitrogen and sulfur both of which onions really like and none of the organic sources really have what you want.
2 questions… 1) how does this compare to neem seed meal? I used neem seed meal in one of my beds this summer that I felt had quite a lot of ants. I don’t freak out too bad over ants, but there seemed to be quite a lot. I felt like the neem seed meal deterred them a bit. 2) how would this do in a mixed bed? In other words what if you had both flowering and fruiting plants as well as greens close to each other? Would you just find an alternative? Maybe use more of an instantly accessible nitrogen for the greens temporally so as not to over fertilize the fruiting plants?
Espoma Blood Meal is one of the best fertilizers for the money. Unfortunately, early this spring we had a number of seedlings dug up and destroyed in our community garden in Boston by animals overnight. We can’t be certain, but given the area we think it was done by racoons, who are carnivores. Garden is surrounded by a chain link fence. Next year we will be doing cameras. And some online sites say blood meal repels racoons while others say it attracts?!?!?
Great info, thanks. I’m noticing as the weather gets more hot and humid in FL the birds are biting into my tomatoes probably for the water. Although I don’t mind sharing some I am wondering if you have any suggestions on providing a bird bath or water feature that doesn’t require electricity (pump) to circulate the water for the birds to drink but not host mosquitoes.
So great that you posted on just this one topic in greater depth and i love how clear you are with your information, reference chapters and visual diagrams, without being too overwhelming with data. I am just disappointed that you are not over 1mil subs by now…. Animal blood is used in a lot of things as a by product and i am so glad that it doesn’t get wasted. They use dried blood in making black pudding and mix it with cereals and fat. Haggis also uses things that some people might turn their nose up but i actually quite like it. Some other countries and cultures where meat is rare in a diet, they often have it raw in dishes as an iron supplement and they use every part of an animal. I am a bit miffed that they stopped putting the giblets back in the whole chickens here in the UK. A lot of the stuff we no longer get is often used in dog and cat food. Even Cumberland sausages still use intestines for the traditional casing, instead of the other generic stuff on regular sausages. If i could afford steak, i like it to be cooked enough that it doesn’t walk off my plate. ie rare- med rare but it needs to be rested on a separate plate before serving. We save those juices for the gravy too. I have decided not to amend my main bed with blood meal until maybe next spring. I use worm casting from my wormery and we use a lot of home made organic matter on the beds. I noticed that some of our ball roots have bolted. Our left bed is almost clear and removed the radishes today, where the garlic normally is interplanted with the tomatoes.
Do you grow Brussel sprouts or broccoli? I’m doing a little organic vs water soluble test on my brassicas. The only problem is I really don’t know how often I’m supposed to apply the organic fertilizers lol the water solubles are so easy. Every couple weeks mix it into the watering can. The organic stuff seems like everyone has their own methods lol
Amazing articles mate. You’re the Alton Brown of the garden! This is not a biggie, please don’t get upset, I make this misnomer often. Cows are female. Bulls are male. Cattle are male and female and the proper way to refer to a group of bovine of both genders. I’m using blood and bone meal at the end; in the garden exclusively and it makes a HUGE difference. I make a large amount of compost yearly by taking in landscaper organics, mixing in manure (from the cattle, ha ha), stirring the piles periodically then tilling it into the garden & pastures. My compost gets potash from burning the stumps, limbs, etc. We have sandy South Carolina soil and when mixed with this compost, everything pops! Best from SC, Ken
Important note regarding atmospheric carbon: while it’s true that decomposing matter for organic compost/fertilizer/mulch results in carbon being released into the atmosphere, that is carbon that is already “on the books.” Carbon can be temporarily kept out of the atmosphere by being locked up in plants and animals, but it is essentially in a cycle wherein it will eventually make its way back to the atmosphere, and then taken up again by plants, and then animals, etc. The difference with “chemical” fertilizers is that they’re petroleum-based, so they’re actually introducing carbon into the atmosphere that had otherwise been functionally removed from the equation (by being sequestered underground as oil).
Unless MG has changed its ingredients, I don’t believe the current hyped about how dangerous MG is. I have used MG for decades in different time zones. What I have found is the area and soil matter most. In 9b, everything can like weeds if the soil is right – tomatoes, zucchini’s, all kinds of squash, roses, etc. etc. I have not stopped using MG and still enjoy seeing lots of pollinators and earthworms.
sigh….this is exhausting! I applaud your in-depth research and presentation. After about 5 years of reading and listening to smarter people than me, when it comes to my own nutrition and health as well as the environment, I’ve concluded that nothing good (ultimately) comes from the massive use of synthetics and chemicals. As long as glyphosate and Grazon remain legal in USA as an example, I do not trust the EPA or the FDA to decide what is safe or not because they are “owned” by big corporations. Many of the chemicals allowed in U.S. are banned in other countries. I only trust the wisdom of regenerative farmers now, to interpret the studies which are often flawed or worse, hidden or interpreted to deceive. I’ve retreated to living on my 1 acre city property, drinking and watering my gardens with filtered rainwater, raising organic pastured chickens for eggs, making compost from oak leaves and green trimmings and my own urea (urine) collected fresh every day ! I love nice landscaping and flowers and a small lawn but if I can’t grow something without importing bagged products from big box stores then I won’t grow it. Americans are so steeped in convenience, cheap$, and materialism that we can’t see the forest for the trees. Sorry for the rant – your article caught me early in the morning after a day of stewing over alarming statistics about metabolic diseases and pollutants. :goodvibes: