Blood Meal vs Bone Meal: Which Natural Fertilizer Should You Use?

Blood meal fertilizer may not sound like something you want in your garden, but it is a helpful gardening product. Many plants benefit from blood meal fertilizer, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Brassicas (cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) and alliums (onions, garlic, and chives) produce well when using blood meal.

It is widely available at major garden centers and home improvement stores. It can also be used as a deer, squirrel, and rabbit deterrent. However, it can attract unwanted other critters to your vegetable patch. Read on to learn more about blood meal and how to use it.

When it comes to feeding your garden, blood meal and bone meal are two popular organic fertilizer options. Both provide nutrients plants need to grow and thrive. However, there are some key differences between these natural amendments that gardeners should understand before using them.

What is Blood Meal?

Blood meal is a dried, powdered form of animal blood, usually obtained as a by-product from slaughterhouses It’s an excellent source of nitrogen, which is one of the most important nutrients for healthy plant growth.

The nitrogen in blood meal is readily available to plant roots and microbes in the soil This makes it a fast-acting fertilizer option, The nitrogen content of blood meal typically ranges from 12-16%, It also contains small amounts of phosphorus and potassium,

Blood meal is ideal for vegetables, annual flowers, and other plants with high nitrogen demands. It promotes lush, green foliage growth.

What is Bone Meal?

Bone meal is a powder made from ground animal bones that have been steamed and finely pulverized. It contains 10-20% phosphorus and 20-30% calcium.

Unlike nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium levels in soil tend to remain relatively stable over time. Bone meal can replenish depleted reserves of these nutrients.

Phosphorus aids in root, flower, fruit, and seed production. Calcium is vital for plant cell wall structure and stress tolerance. Bone meal is particularly beneficial for bulbs, tomatoes, peppers, and plants prone to blossom end rot.

Key Differences Between the Fertilizers

While both can be beneficial to your soil, it’s important to test your soil before applying so that you can determine your soil’s needs. If your soil lacks nitrogen, blood meal is one of the best ways to get it into your soil. If phosphorus is what your soil is deficient in, bone meal will suit your needs.

Here are some other key differences:

Nutrients provided: Blood meal is a nitrogen fertilizer while bone meal provides phosphorus and calcium.
Speed: Blood meal releases nitrogen quickly for fast plant uptake. Bone meal works slower, providing more long-term phosphorus and calcium.
Organic matter content: Blood meal contains 12-14% organic matter. Bone meal has 35-40% organic matter.
Acidity: Blood meal can lower pH and make soil more acidic. Bone meal is pH neutral.
Burn risk: It’s easy to burn plants by over-applying blood meal. Bone meal is harder to over-apply.
Application: Blood meal is best applied during the active growing season. Bone meal can be applied any time of year.
Cost: Bone meal tends to be more affordable than blood meal.

How to Apply Blood Meal and Bone Meal

Always follow package instructions when applying these amendments. Here are some general guidelines:

Blood Meal

Use 2-4 lbs per 100 square feet.
Mix into soil or compost before planting. Can also side-dress growing plants.
Water after application to prevent nitrogen loss. Reapply every 4-6 weeks.

Bone Meal

Use 3-6 lbs per 100 square feet.
Mix into beds before planting or side-dress existing plants. Also safe to sprinkle on surface.
Provides nutrients for 3-4 months. Reapply as needed based on soil test results.

Combining the Two

While blood meal and bone meal contain different main nutrients, you can use them together. This gives you a more complete organic fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium.

If your soil test reveals multiple nutrient deficiencies, combining blood meal and bone meal is an excellent option. Just be sure to adjust application rates accordingly so you don’t overload the soil with any one nutrient.

Which is Better: Blood Meal or Bone Meal?

There’s no definitive answer for which of these organic fertilizers is “better” overall. The best choice depends on your specific garden’s needs. Here are some factors to consider:

What are your plants’ nutritional requirements? Leafy annual vegetables need more nitrogen from blood meal. Fruiting plants like tomatoes may benefit more from phosphorus in bone meal.
What deficiencies has soil testing revealed? If nitrogen is low, reach for blood meal. For phosphorus or calcium deficiencies, bone meal is the amendment of choice.
How quickly do you need results? Blood meal provides faster nitrogen uptake. Bone meal is slower release.
What is your budget? Bone meal is typically more affordable than blood meal.
Do you follow organic practices? Both are approved for organic gardening.

In the end, a soil test is the best guide. This will provide objective data on your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. From there, you can make an informed choice about whether blood meal, bone meal, or a combination is right for your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blood meal safe for pets?

No. Blood meal can contain pathogens and cause illness if consumed by dogs or cats. Keep pets away from areas treated with blood meal.

Should I use blood meal or chemical fertilizer?

For organic gardeners, blood meal is an excellent alternative to synthetic nitrogen sources. It releases nitrogen more gradually than chemical fertilizers, reducing burn risk.

How long does bone meal last in soil?

Bone meal releases its nutrients over a period of 3-4 months. Reapply if soil tests indicate a continuing need for supplemental phosphorus and calcium.

Can I use too much bone meal?

It is possible to over-apply bone meal, which can lead to excessive salt content in soil. Have your soil tested and follow recommended application rates.

Is bone meal good for all plants?

While most plants can benefit from the phosphorus in bone meal, some species are prone to iron deficiency when too much phosphorus is present. Check plant-specific fertilization guidelines before applying.

Conclusion

While both provide nutrition to plants, blood meal and bone meal have distinct uses in the garden. Understand the pros and cons of each before deciding which is right for your soil. A soil test takes the guesswork out of the equation so you can address your garden’s specific needs. Use blood meal to boost nitrogen for leafy growth and bone meal to correct phosphorus or calcium deficiencies. With the right organic fertilizer, your plants will thrive!

blood meal or bone meal

Benefits of Blood Meal

blood meal or bone meal

The main benefit of blood meal as a fertilizer lies in its high nitrogen content. The NPK sequence on the blood meals package indicates whether it has only nitrogen or predominantly nitrogen with a bit of phosphorous and potassium. Blood meal can provide a boost for plants suffering from nitrogen deficiency.

Blood meals other benefits include:

Deters pests: Blood meal has a strong smell, which repels deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and moles. Sprinkle blood meal lightly across the leaves and at the base of any nibbled plants in your vegetable garden.
Organic: Blood meal is organic, so you are not using a chemical fertilizer in your garden.
Acidic: Acidifies your soil, which benefits acid-loving plants.
Slow release: Blood meal is a slow-release fertilizer (one to four months).
Small packages: If you want to experiment with blood meal to amend the soil or to deter pests, small 3-pound bags make that easy to do, all for around $10.