Tips for Using Fish Bone Meal

The organic fertilizer, fish bone meal, offers a beneficial supply of phosphorus and calcium to garden soil and container plants. Fish bone meal is made from ground fish bones and comes as a powder. It offers long-lasting benefits for new and established plants. Gardeners add bone meal to other organic fertilizers to boost phosphorus levels and supply plants enough calcium to support seasonal renewal. Purchase organic soil products from local garden centers or online.

When to Use Fish Bone Meal

• Amend soil with 4 ounces of bone meal per 1 square yard when planting grass seed. Work into the soil with a rake at least two weeks before seeding. It promotes strong roots resistant to drought and extreme weather conditions.


• Mix into the soil when planting shrubs and trees to establish root growth. Work 1 ½ ounces per 1 square foot for planting holes, or 16 ounces per 1 square yard planting hole for backfill around the root zone of trees and shrubs.


• Top dress the root zone around fruit trees for higher fruit yields. Use a ratio of 4 ounces per 1 square yard of soil.


• Add to the soil when dividing or planting new perennials for strong root systems and healthy foliage. Water the plant well after adding to soil.


• Use fish bone meal to boost nutrients in seed-starter soils. Its nutrients and slow-release properties are gentle on seedling roots.


• Add a sprinkle of fish bone meal to the bottom of planting holes of bulbs and root tubers such as Dahlias, Gladiolas and Peonies. Carrots and onions also benefit from fish bone meal.


• Work a small amount of bone meal into planting rows for sweet peas, runner beans, French beans, broad beans and peas. It helps form root nodules that feed nitrogen to the plants.


• Use with flowers that thrive in lime-enriched soils such as hydrangea and clematis. Use in flower beds or container plants.

When Not to Use Fish Bone Meal

• Do not add bone meal to the soil surrounding acid-loving plants such as potatoes, cranberry, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellia or heather. The calcium in fish bone meal increases soil pH.