Fish Bone Meal

The value of fish bone meal as a soil amendment can be found in its phosphorus content, which is necessary for stem formation, root development and fruiting of many vegetables. Mineral sources, such as rock dust or soft rock phosphate [colloidal phosphate] are less expensive sources of phosphorous, however they generally take quite a bit longer to break down in the soil to a bio available form for the plants. Bone source phosphorus, whether it is steamed bone meal or fish bone meal, are much more readily available to the plant roots. Fish bone meal is preferable over steamed bone meal as it comes without the concerns of antibiotic and hormone accumulations.

Fish bone meal is a great amendment that you should not pass up, as it is a great marine based alternative to steamed bone meal. Fish bones from the seafood processing industries are dried and then ground up into a meal. This is then granulated to provide an excellent amendment for your garden that provides one of the highest sources of organic phosphorus available. Phosphorus is one of the three major nutrients, and is responsible for a host of plant developments. It is vital to new plants adjusting to a new soil condition, as it stimulates root development, which in turn insures healthier, larger plants due to the increased root mass which is able to absorb more nutrients and moisture from the surrounding soil.

Phosphorus is also very important for the blooming stage of your plants, as their requirements for this important mineral are heightened as the plant moves into flowering or the setting of fruit. In addition, fish bone meal also delivers many trace minerals, a good amount of calcium and a small amount of nitrogen, which is needed at all stages of growth.