How To Turn Fish Into Fertilizer
Organic growers are more careful about what and where their liquid organic fertilizers come from. Hence, this article discusses how liquid fish emulsions are made. First of, they are mostly made from the Menhaden fish which is not considered a human food source. However this fish is used for making oil and animal feeds. The waste from the production of this fish into oil or animal feed is the ingredient used for making liquid fish fertilizers.
The process of making liquid fertilizer starts with cooking the fish and pressing out the oils and liquids. The solids are made into fishmeal, animal feed, and other products. The oil, which is literally worth its weight in gold, is skimmed off. The liquid is boiled down until it thickens, making fish emulsion.
A small amount of phosphoric acid is added to the fish emulsion to lower the pH. Lowering the pH makes the liquid fertilizer more acidic, which prevents it from decaying and fermenting into gas. Before phosphoric acid was added in the manufacturing process, containers of fish emulsion were known to burst from fermentation. Because the amount of added phosphoric acid is so small (less than one percent by weight), the product is still considered organic.
Although formulations vary, fish emulsion liquid fertilizer typically contains approximately four to five percent nitrogen (N), two percent phosphorus (P), two percent potassium (K), and trace elements. Trace elements, also called micronutrients, are chemical elements that plants need in minute quantities in order to thrive.
Adventurous gardeners make their own liquid fertilizer from fish. It’s a smelly, messy process, but it could be economical for gardeners with a ready supply of fish waste.
Fish emulsions stand out from the other natural- based fertilizers because of its speedy delivery of nutrients to plants. This makes them a great assistant for farmers and gardeners during seed planting and transplanting. Fish emulsions first need to be mixed with water before it can be applied on the soil or sprayed to the plant leaves.
As with the use of all fertilizers, application instructions should be followed strictly. Remember to dilute it in the recommended percentage to prevent damaging seeds and young plants. Only mix the amount you are going to use that day because after it has been mixed with water its potency will be lost when stored. And keep the mixture away from heat to prevent deterioration. Since its made from fish, brace yourself for the pungent odor but this will disappear in a few days.
Production of liquid fish emulsions fertilizers is environmentally sound from start to finish. Only fish parts that are unused or are considered as waste by fish and feed processing companies are used. Thus, the use of fish emulsions organic fertilizers thus decrease toxins in our food and helps make zero waste possible.
Tags: Farming, gardening, growing, lawn care, liquid fertilizer, liquid organic fertilizer, organic, organic farming, organic lawn care, pasture management
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