Seafood for Your Plants - Natures Wonder Fertilizer

This article takes a look at the benefits of fish based fertilizers as a great organic plant feeding alternative. As with any fertilizer it is important to understand the components of the fertilizer so that brands can be compared and the proper blend can be chosen and applied in the correct strength for various garden applications.

Some of the advantages and benefits of fish based fertilizers are:
1. Fewer applications are needed
2. Lower burn potential than chemical fertilizers
3. Comparatively slow release rate
4. Less leaching from the soil
All fertilizers, fish fertilizer included, are labeled with three numbers that represent the primary nutrients that plants need: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. They are always listed as a percentage of those nutrients and always in that order. For example, a 4-1-2 fertilizer contains 4 percent, by weight, nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorous and 2 percent potassium. These can occur in different ratios and combinations, but they all represent the strength or concentration of the fertilizer. So an 8-2-4 would be twice as concentrated as a 4-1-2. This is important when comparing prices because it would take twice as much of the second fertilizer to equal the same amount of nutrient as the first.

Next, it is important to understand what the three primary nutrients do. Nitrogen is very important in plants for good foliage growth and dark green color. Phosphorous is important for rooting and also for blooming, and potassium is important for cold hardiness and plays a role in fruiting and blooming. It is possible to use a balanced fertilizer, one where the three numbers are equal or close to one another (15-15-15), throughout the growing cycle. A better plan is to look for a fertilizer brand that has at least two formulas to accommodate different stages in the plants growing cycle and/or different varieties of plants. For vegetables grown mostly for their leaves (salad or other greens) a fertilizer with more nitrogen than anything else (a higher first number) is best. For vegetables that flower first like peppers and tomatoes, a fertilizer with a higher proportion of phosphorus (a higher middle number) works well. Alternatively, some gardeners produce great results by using a high growth (high nitrogen) formula for the beginning of the growth cycle and then switch to a high bloom (high phosphorus) fertilizer when the plants begin to flower.

The three primary macronutrients have been discussed, but what about the other micronutrients that plants need to stay healthy. Fortunately the better fish fertilizer companies have added other wonderful products from the sea that complement the quality macro nutrients from the fish emulsion with a solid addition of micro nutrients. These additives are generally in for form of liquefied kelp and/or seaweed. It is a good idea to look for a brand of fish fertilizer that includes either, or both of these additives.

For added insurance from the sea, crab meal is one of the only options for a time release fertilizer that may be mixed with soil before planting or mixed in the topsoil after planting. It has the added benefit of being a great source of calcium which is critically important to avoid troubles like blossom end rot, particularly when using a high nitrogen fertilizer regime. Fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with a quality fish based fertilizer is a solid feeding plan for the organic garden. Below are three brands that are hard to beat.

Age Old carries an organic Fish/Seaweed Blend Fertilizer (3-3-2) that is a blend of processed fish hydro slates and North Atlantic sea kelp, loaded with macronutrients and bio-stimulants, it is an effective plant stress reducer and root stimulant that is rich in carbohydrates. Age Old also carries fish based fertilizers in growth (12-6-6) and bloom (5-10-5) formulations both contain fish solubles, feather meal & colloidal phosphates. Micronutrients are derived from seaweed extracts, borax and complex sugars. Both Age Old Grow and Bloom may be used in hydroponics systems.

Neptune’s Harvest carries an organic Fish/Seaweed Blend Fertilizer (2-3-1) containing blend of fish hydrolysate and seaweed plus a unique blend of micronutrients from a very special kelp extract. In addition to fish and fish/seaweed blend fertilizer, Neptune’s harvest also carries crab shell and kelp meal.

Sea Pal carries great fish based products with kelp and other nutrients. They also have a great selection of blends for planting, growth and bloom including, (3-1-1), (2,3,3), (6-3-3) and (2,10,10). For hydroponics systems, Sea Pal carries a full complement of fish based products that have been run through a 50 micron filter to ensure smooth flow in all types of hydroponic and aeroponic units.

Dr. Christopher J. Kline is a master gardener and writer living in Paradise Valley Arizona. He is an editor for The Ultimate Sunflower Site http://www.SunflowerOcity.com, a columnist for Garden and Greenhouse Magazine http://www.gardenandgreenhouse.net/ and an owner of Greenhouse and Garden Supply http://greenhouseandgardensupply.com/.
You can reach Chris at Chris.Kline@sunflowerOcity.com.