What is blood meal and how to use this fertilizer: tips for beginners

Blood meal is used by most gardeners in their vegetable gardens and orchards. However, its useful qualities do not end there.

The additive is also effective in the fight against pests and rodents (including hares).

Agronomist, landscape designer, botanical artist and art therapist Anastasia Kovrizhnykh told the online publication Belnovosti about what this fertilizer is and how to use it correctly.

Blood meal

Essentially, it is dried blood, ground into powder. The fertilizer is produced from the remains of by-products at meat processing plants. It improves the composition of the soil, saturates it with elements necessary for the growth and development of crops.

But you should know that this supplement contains a lot of nitrogen (13.25%), only 1% phosphorus and 0.6% potassium.

Therefore, the main purpose of the additive is to build up abundant and rich foliage. It is used to fertilize beds with greens and cabbage, as well as zucchini, peppers, radishes and onions.

Pests

At the same time, the fertilizer can repel pests thanks to its smell. In particular, moles, hares and squirrels do not like the additive. To protect against them, plants are simply sprinkled with flour.

Disadvantages of fertilizer

It can cause an overdose of nitrogen in the soil, which means burning or killing plants.

At the same time, it acidifies the soil and can also attract stray cats or dogs to the garden.

It should not be used to feed indoor plants, as the additive has a very specific smell.

The assimilation process can take from 1 to 4 months.

When to use

Mainly used in spring, at the beginning of plant growth. Repeated application is possible every 2 months.

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• 6 February 2023

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