Q&A for How to Use Blood Meal

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  • Question
    How do you use bone meal?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You ideally only want 10 pounds for each 100 square feet of soil. You can add a few tablespoons to the bottom of a dug hole before you plant, which helps jumpstart the nutrients the plant will need.
  • Question
    Which vegetables need bone meal?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Leafy veggies need more nitrogen, and in turn, will get benefits from bone meal in the soil.
  • Question
    Is blood meal good for blueberry plants?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    This is a great way to provide nitrogen to the plant. You can also use fish meal. Using bone meal and powdered seaweed can offer the blueberry plant much needed potassium and phosphorus.
  • Question
    Is human blood good for plants?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Although the blood of humans does hold some of the most needed nutrients for plants, it may offer too much of them. Not to mention, there are unknown pathogens that can be found in human blood which could lead to issues with the plants.
  • Question
    Should blood meal be watered directly after application?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you should always water the plants after fertilizing.
  • Question
    What are the application and frequency rates for blood meal?
    Community Answer
    Assuming you have had your soil tested and your soils pH levels are 6.5 - 7.0 the application rates typically are as follows: If your soil is severely depleted of nitrogen, add blood meal at a rate of 25 lbs per 1,000 sq ft or 1/3 cup per plant. If soil is slightly depleted, add at a rate of 7 lbs per 1,000 sq ft or 1/4 cup per plant. For a normal application add at a rate of 12 lbs per 1,000 sq ft or 1/3 cup per plant. A single application can last up to 6-8 weeks. However, I suggest testing your soil again in about 3 weeks. It is possible that your nitrogen levels are fine but your pH levels may have changed making your soil more acidic.
  • Question
    When is best time for bone meal to be put in the garden?
    Community Answer
    You should put bone meal in your garden before the flowering stage of your plant, preferably four to 10 centimeters away from the stem.
  • Question
    Would blood meal help if my onion plants are droopy and not growing?
    Community Answer
    It could, but it sounds like your plants need more sun.
  • Question
    Can blood meal be used for bouganvilla?
    Community Answer
    Blood and bone meal are great fertilizers for bouganvilla. Just add some kelp powder for potassium.
  • Question
    Would blood meal be good for my blueberry bushes?
    Community Answer
    Every plant needs nitrogen to grow a strong root system and to bolster its overall health and wellness. With blueberries, you will want the pH level of the soil to be very acidic (in the 4.0-5.0 range). Blueberries thrive in acidic soils. Before making any adjustments to the soil, have it tested. If amendments are needed, make them and retest in two to three weeks, always adjusting the pH first and getting it to the desired level prior to adjusting the soil for nitrogen, phosphorus and sodium.
  • Question
    Is there anything else that can be used?
    Community Answer
    If you are gardening organically, blood meal is the best choice. You could use a commercial fertilizer where N in the fertilizers N-P-K ratio is the nitrogen content. For example, if a commercial brand fertilizer is 10-10-10 it is considered a balanced fertilizer because the N-P-K numbers are the same. You would be getting 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potash (or potassium). The higher the number the higher the content. Keep in mind that these types of fertilizers are chemical based and not in the best interest of the environment.
  • Question
    Can blood meal be used in containers?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can. Just be careful to use the right amount; a good metric is about one tablespoon per gallon of soil.
  • Question
    I live in south Florida with sandy soil. Is blood meal okay to use and as sand doesn't hold water should I use it more often?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you may use it and reapply as necessary.
  • Question
    Can blood meal be used on roses?
    Community Answer
    Blood meal is excellent for feeding roses. Just be careful not to use too much as it may cause the roses to burn from excessive ammonia.
  • Question
    Is blood meal good for grass?
    Community Answer
    No. Blood meal is rapid at organic decomposition, releasing ammonia and depositing high amounts of nitrogen into the ground and the roots. Grass has a delicate and feeble network of roots, and an uncontrolled quantity of blood meal could definitely burn or wither it. It would not be the best option for grass. Instead, I suggest ammonia beads as a safer option.
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