[goldfronts]

Hi guys,

I am thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather here in the north east. I had an amazing veggie garden going last summer that I planted with my 2 year old son on Father's Day. I used a 60/40 compost to soil mixture that was amended with bone meal. I can't really remember how much bone meal I used to amend the soil with. I ferted with fish emulsion during the summer. End result were some tasty veggies that I could enjoy with my family. So that brings me to my question, I am prepping the soil to reuse this spring and I was wondering how much bone meal I should amend this soil with? I am sure that I do not need as much bone meal as I used the first run. Any help would be great. The raised beds are 5' X 3' X 10. I would love any feedback per sq foot of soil. Thanks a lot and I hope everyone has a gorgeous spring......

[hippie_lettuce]

Apparently from what I have just read, bonemeal does not break down quite as fast as one would think and the effects last for a couple years. It does not start breaking down right away even when worked into the soil.

If I were going to add any more it would just be a handful or so per bed and I would use a liquid fertilizer if necessary.

[goldfronts]

Thanks a lot I really appreciate the input. I think I am going to do just what you said and go light on the bone meal. I will use the liquid ferts and see how it goes. Thanks again....

[hippie_lettuce]

Last summer we didn't use blood meal or bone meal or any of that. We got free manure (rabbit & horse) and used light application of organic ferts in the beginning. If you want to use bone meal I would suggest starting a compost pile and if you eat fish or shrimp throw the bones into the pile with grass clippings, hay etc. and let it break down for a while. The fish emulsion should be a fine addition.

That is awesome that you and your son planted vegetables together!

[goldfronts]

I would love to start a compost pile. I think that is gonna be the new project for this spring. Any tips on how to keep critters out of a compost pile that has fish and shrimp in it?

[hippie_lettuce]

I don't really have experience with critters because when we did this it was in the desert in a suburb..lol, so very few critters except for the occasional bird. You might be able to stack logs or 2x4s and make a square, and then add wire mesh or hardware cloth or fencing to the top that is removable to keep raccoons and other larger animals away.

[S4703W]

Maybe you could add some azomite or some type of rock dust for more minerals. For a compost could bury a trash can a bit and cut the bottom out of the can, probably keep varmints out.