What is bone meal used for and how can it be used as fertilizer?

Bone meal is a fertilizer that has an advantage over other natural additives in that it has a prolonged effect on the soil in the future planting areas. The meal is added to the soil and decomposes over five to eight months, gradually releasing all the micronutrients into the soil.

Bone meal is an alternative to chemical-based alternatives and plant-based supplements. It is also used as feed for large and medium-sized livestock.

This fertilizer is made from the skeleton and bone tissue of cattle. It is also known as phosphonitrogen. This fertilizer is used for vegetation in ground form. It has many advantages over organic and chemical fertilizers:

• It is used in dry form and does not require special preparation.
• You can fertilize two weeks before harvest.
• It is used for garden, vegetable and indoor plant crops.
• Lower in cost than chemical or organic fertilizers.
• It is applied to the soil once per season.
• Does not oversaturate the soil with harmful substances.
• Can be used at any stage of growth.
• It has a high energy value and is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Bone meal is a light-colored, loose powder with a high moisture content due to its animal fat content. It is primarily sourced from meat processing plants, but confiscated veterinary materials are also used. The raw material must be fresh and free of contaminants. It is first ground into cartilage, then dried using a specialized machine, and ground again.

Bone meal made by hand

You can even make this fertilizer yourself; you'll need bones, hooves, and horns. First, wash the raw materials thoroughly and separate them into small pieces. Then, place the material in a cast-iron cauldron, add water, and cook until the bones are completely soft. Then, cool and crush the bones. Keep in mind that preparation can take quite a while. A well-ventilated area or a specially equipped outdoor stove is also essential for this process.

Components

It contains a wide variety of microelements and biologically extractive substances. In livestock farming, bone meal is primarily valued for its content of several types of digestible proteins, as well as lysine, methionine, and cystine.

In agriculture, it is valued for its content of nutrients essential for healthy plant growth and development, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and calcium. Animal bones contain high levels of phosphorus and calcium, making bone fertilizer primarily a source of these nutrients. There are several types of bone meal, differing in production technology and phosphorus content:

• Normal - phosphorus content 15%.
• Steamed - phosphorus content 25%.
• Low-fat - phosphorus content 35%.

Bone meal made from raw bones contains more nitrogen, while steamed and defatted bone meal is considered more concentrated and of higher quality.

Fish bone meal

It is made from the bones and soft tissues of various fish species. America is the main producer and supplier. Local farmers consider it exotic, despite the fact that it has long been imported into Russia and is available in many farm stores. This supplement should be used once a year. It contains up to 16% phosphorus and protein. It is often used as a feed supplement for livestock.

Horn and hoof meal

A type of bone meal, it is made from ground hooves and horns and contains a significant nitrogen content of up to 10%. It is considered safe for vegetation. It is applied to the soil every two to three months.

Blood meal

This variety stimulates green growth thanks to its increased nitrogen content of approximately 13%. It contains little phosphorus and potassium, so for best results, it is combined with regular bone meal. When using it, be sure to follow the recommended dosage, usually indicated on the packaging, to avoid burning the plant. Blood meal is recommended for use on alkaline soils to restore balance.

Shell flour

Another fertilizer rare in Russia is shell meal, although it's widely used in southern countries. Made from crustacean shells, it contains a wealth of soil-boosting micronutrients.

How to apply fertilizer

There are two methods for fertilizing plants: root and basal. The powder is often mixed with the soil during the initial stages of preparation for planting. Bone fertilizers are also recommended for feeding garden and houseplants during the growing season.

1. When planting vegetable seedlings in open ground, add two tablespoons of fertilizer to each hole.
2. For lawns, use 200 grams of powder per 1 square meter; if the soil in the area is acidic, the amount should be doubled.
3. When planting berry crops, you will need 70 g of powder per hole in spring, and 120 g in autumn.
4. For bulbous flower plants, it is recommended to apply 30 g per hole.
5. For indoor plants, the powder is added to the pot in a ratio of 1:1000.

Storage

It's recommended to store purchased bone meal in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area. Ideally, it should be free of rodents and other pests.

As for homemade bone meal, it should be packaged in cloth or paper bags. Keep in mind that UV rays make the powder toxic. Therefore, it's important to test the meal for suitability, mix it, and dry it.

Reviews

Anna, 48 years old, Novocherkassk

I used fish bone meal and liked it. I added 1 tablespoon to each hole when planting tomatoes and peppers, mixing it with the soil. It's quite long-lasting, and I got a very good harvest with excellent fruit flavor.

Valery, 57 years old, Belgorod region

I used bone meal last year. The first thing that attracted me was the affordable price, and the second was how easy it was to use. The results are certainly noticeable: high yields and juicier fruit. I'll be using it again next year.

Antonina 62 years old Novgorod

This season, a neighbor recommended fertilizing my tomatoes with bone meal and said the results were amazing. So, I did. Not only did I fertilize the plants with it, but my dog ​​ate it, too. The result was quite a significant increase in yield.