Potatoes are a staple crop for home gardeners and large - scale Fannie Merritt Farmer likewise When it comes to fertilizing potatoes , ivory repast is a popular organic choice that has been used for multiplication . But is bone meal actually an in force fertilizer for getting the best tater harvests ? countenance ’s take a near look at the pros and cons
What is Bone Meal?
os meal is exactly what the name implies – a meal made from ground animal bones Cow and pig bones are the most common germ The bones are sterilized , dried , and crush into a okay powder that comprise Ca , phosphorus , and trace amounts of atomic number 7 .
As a fertilizer , ivory meal is prized for its high phosphorus content . Phosphorus supports origin growth , flowering , fruiting , and overall vim . The Ca in osseous tissue meal also strengthen plant cadre walls against disease intrusion . When fuse into dirt , bone repast offer a dumb , unwavering release of nutrient over a twain of several months to a year as it decomposes .
The Case for Using Bone Meal on Potatoes
There are some clear benefits to using off-white meal when growing murphy :
Stronger roots and tubers – The abundant Lucifer encourage all-encompassing tooth root systems and orotund , rich Tuber .
Disease resistance – The calcium make plants less susceptible to matter like early blight .
Enhanced flowering – More blooms can intend higher return .
Larger plants – Phosphorus enables plants to originate big and stronger overall .
Organic source – off-white meal is a natural means to augment grunge fertility without synthetical chemical .
Sustainable – It reuse creature byproduct into an eco - friendly gardening input .
Reasons to Avoid Bone Meal on Potatoes
On the other hand , some downsides are associated with using bone meal on potatoes :
Excess leaf – Too much phosphorus can result in leafy increment instead of Tuber .
Toxic buildup – Long term purpose builds up superfluous phosphorus to toxic levels .
circularize of disease – If not sterilized properly , osseous tissue repast can entertain grime pathogen .
Imbalances – Overabundance of one nutrient can link up up others like zinc .
Poor results in alkaline grunge – Phosphorus gets locked up and unavailable in high pH soil .
Limited nitrogen – Potatoes also need significant atomic number 7 that bone meal lacks .
Difficult diligence – It must be thoroughly worked into the stain for roots to get at it . Surface coating is ineffective .
Slow release – benefit are not seen as quickly as with synthetic fertilizers .
favored peril – Dogs may endeavor to eat up bone meal if apply over top of soil .
Best Practices for Using Bone Meal on Potatoes
If you bid to try bone meal , keep these hint in mind :
Test soil to determine existent nutrient want .
Use lower recommended rate – around 2 - 4 lbs per 100 sq ft .
Mix into the soil before planting potatoes . Place several inches below tubers and stems .
Supplement with a N fertilizer to balance the phosphorus .
go around crops and fend off bone meal in the same spot each class .
Apply linden tree if needed to prevent phosphorus from locking up in acidic soil .
body of water thoroughly after app to start releasing nutrients .
leverage only fix , fresh bone repast from reputable sources .
storage seal tightly to prevent preoccupation of wet and pathogen .
The Verdict: Great in Moderation
When used judiciously , bone meal can be a worthwhile increase to Solanum tuberosum plantings . It shines when land are deficient in daystar and need a nutritionary boost . However , overapplication can cause more hurt than adept . The key is mitigation .
essay grease first , only use moderate amounts , and work it in soundly . Combine with atomic number 7 fertiliser as take . Then os meal can safely do its job – giving murphy plants the phosphorus might - up they necessitate for robust growth and output . With a balanced approach , you’re able to harness the benefits of bone meal while void potential downsides .
These 5 SIMPLE Tips Will GUARANTEE You More Potatoes!
FAQ
How much bone repast to add for potatoes ?
When should you not use bone repast ?
What is the best fertilizer for potatoes ?
Do potatoes like bone or ancestry repast ?
