There are tons of product and technique for enrich your garden andhelping your plant thrive , but some of them can sound pretty daunting . os meal is certainly on the list of shivery - sound industrial plant products . Is it really made of bones , and what could it possibly do for your garden ? If you ’ve ever been confound or even a little gross out by bone repast , do n’t occupy . We ’re conk to differentiate you everything you ask to cognize about what bone repast is and how to use it .
What is bone meal?
Bone repast is a powder made from finely ground animal bone . The bones are sourced from farm or slaughterhouses , so the most commonly used bones are beef . However , you may obtain bone meal made from other common livestock , such as pigs or chickens . The animate being are tested for disease , and the bones are boil or steamed before being ground , so you do n’t need to occupy about sanitization .
Most gardening supply store will sway bone repast , however you could make your own if you ’re feel particularly industrious . If you do desire to make your own , we ’d recommend using crybaby or turkey osseous tissue , as they ’re smaller and easier to drudge without particular equipment . Be sure to roil them good first , both to cleanse and to soften the bones .
How does it help your garden?
osseous tissue meal contains a hatful of morning star and calcium , two nutrients that plants want to grow and thrive . Phosphorus is associated with growth and blooming , while Ca help with the construction of jail cell wall . to boot , pearl meal breaks down very tardily , meaning that a small-scale amount of bone meal can last for quite a while . This prevents alimental overload and cuts down on the amount of time you have to spend fecundate your plant .
Bone repast is also totally lifelike and organic . Some manufacturer may add other nutrients to the mixing , which can affect its organic condition . However , stark ivory repast , being only creature bones , is amply organic . In fact , it ’s one of the practiced organic ways to add a orotund amount of phosphorus and calcium to the soil .
How to use bone meal
Bone repast is used like any other fertilizer , in that it ’s mixed into the top three to six inches of dirt . However , it ’s important not to use too much . Remember that bone meal stay in the dirt for a long time before it fully breaks down , so if too much is added , you ’ll have to wait a while for the soil to return to normal nutrient levels .
You should record any instructions that make out with your pearl repast , but typically it ’s added at a proportion of 10 dog pound per 100 square human foot . If you do n’t have a 100 foot garden , that ’s 1 pound per 10 hearty animal foot . Test your grime before program , and do n’t expend bone meal if you already have an medium or above - average amount of P or calcium in your ground .
to boot , you should essay your grease ’s pH first . os meal is most good in soil that are acidic to neutral . In soil that ’s alkaline , plants have difficulty absorbing phosphorus . Applying off-white repast to alkaline soil can lead to a buildup of phosphorus in the soil .
Are there any drawbacks or downsides?
apart from needing to use bone repast specifically on acidic or neutral soil , bone repast can also on occasion pull in animals . Scavengers may be drawn to the scent . However , this can be mitigate by summate a layer of mulch after mixing in the bone repast , a step that will assist damp the scent and keep out nosy pests .
A downside for some gardeners may be that bone repast is made from animal bones . If you ’d prefer something else , you may utilise banana tree peels and nuts to add phosphorus to your compost or else . However , these do n’t have as much phosphorus as bone meal , nor do they last as long in the soil .
If you ’re implicated about the potential mistreatment of the fauna whose bones are being used , there are some things you’re able to do . Getting off-white meal from a reputable source helps , but since some brand do n’t expose where specifically their bones arrive from , it can be difficult to be certain . A good option may be looking for local sources of bone meal . you may search for it at your local farmers market place , or get in mite with local farmers and butchers . If you buy local , you ’ll be capable to speak directly with the farmers and ask them about how the animals are cared for .
ivory meal may have an intimidating name , but it can do a lot of good for your garden . It ’s easy to use , has a lot of benefits , and only has a few potential drawbacks . commemorate not to use too much , and try out your soil ’s pH scale and nutritive degree beforehand . Your plant will give thanks you with healthy , vigorous growth .
