Blood meal is a finely textured, dried animal byproduct used as an organic fertilizer, primarily valued for its rapid-release nitrogen content. This potency makes it effective for plants needing a quick boost, but it also requires precise measurement. Using this high-nitrogen amendment requires careful calculation to ensure plants receive necessary nutrients without suffering damage. Following specific dosage recommendations is necessary before application.
Understanding Blood Meal’s High Nitrogen Concentration
Blood meal’s nutrient profile is highly skewed toward nitrogen, with a typical N-P-K ratio often listed as 12-0-0 or higher, depending on the source. This formulation indicates a substantial percentage of nitrogen with negligible amounts of phosphorus and potassium, making it ideal for addressing nitrogen deficiencies.
Nitrogen is a building block for amino acids and proteins, and a defining component of the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll captures light energy to fuel photosynthesis, making nitrogen responsible for lush, green, vegetative growth. Deficiency is often observed as a yellowing of older, lower leaves, known as chlorosis. The nitrogen in blood meal is quickly converted by soil microbes into the ammonia form, which plants readily absorb.
Calculating the Correct Dosage for Container Soil
The primary concern when using blood meal in containers is preventing over-fertilization. A standard, conservative recommendation for mixing blood meal into potting soil is approximately one teaspoon per gallon of soil volume. For larger batches, use roughly one cup of blood meal for every cubic foot of soil mix.
This measurement must be thoroughly incorporated into the soil medium before planting. Simply sprinkling the powder on top is ineffective and can lead to uneven nutrient distribution or potential root burn. The goal is to distribute the nitrogen evenly throughout the entire root zone. It is safer to start with a lower amount due to the risk of nitrogen toxicity, even if adjustments are needed later based on the plant’s demands.
Application Methods for Established Plants and Gardens
Once plants are established, application shifts to targeted feeding. The common method is side dressing, which involves lightly scratching the blood meal into the top inch of soil around the plant. This should be concentrated around the plant’s drip line, where the majority of feeder roots are located.
Dosage for Established Plants
The recommended rate for established garden beds is typically one to two pounds of blood meal per 100 square feet. For individual plants, apply one to two teaspoons around the base, depending on plant size.
A liquid feed can also be created by dissolving the powder in water, offering faster delivery for plants with severe nitrogen deficiency. After any dry application, water the area thoroughly to help nutrients break down and move into the root zone. Applications are generally timed for early spring or during vigorous vegetative growth, and reapplication is needed every four to six weeks.
Preventing Nitrogen Burn and Safe Handling
The most significant risk is nitrogen burn, which occurs when excessive nitrogen salts accumulate and draw water out of the plant’s roots. Signs include browning and crisping of leaf tips and edges, and general wilting. If nitrogen burn is suspected, immediately flush the soil heavily with plain water to leach out excess salts.
To avoid this, adhere to conservative application rates; it is better to under-apply and reapply later. Proper handling is also important for safety. The fine powder should be handled carefully to avoid inhalation and stored securely away from pets, which are attracted to the smell but can become severely ill if ingested.