When most people think of any kind of animal byproduct…well…most people try to avoid thinking of animal byproduct. But organic gardeners are not most people, right? We see benefits where others may just see yuckiness. If you never knew that bat guano could be used as a natural fertilizer, you’re in for a treat–and so are your plants!
Bat Guano Ingredients And Their Benefits:
Bat guano has a great nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio, commonly known as a fertilizer’s NPK value. Commonly consisting of 10% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 1% potassium, you couldn’t really ask for a more well rounded ratio in a natural fertilizer. The nitrogen will help your plants grow strong and quickly and promotes your plants’ vibrant green coloration. Phosphorus will help your plants establish good roots, which are, after all, the most important part of your plant. Potassium will help your plants’ stems grow strong, firm, and sturdy.
In addition, bat guano contains many trace minerals, which help give your soil a well balanced supply of nutrients for your plants. Some of these trace minerals include: iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium. These minerals can replenish “used-up” soil, giving new life to it.
Bat guano is a slow release fertilizer, meaning, its ingredients will continue to benefit your plants for many months after you first apply it. It can burn your plants, like a man-made chemical fertilizer would, so it’s best to mix it into your soil or add it to your compost, then adding the compost to your soil. Use it sparingly–as usual, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.
A Few Recommended Brands:
Dr. Earth Premium Bat Guamo
This all natural fertilizer comes to you with a trusted name. Dr. Earth is a well known brand, offering many different organic fertilizers. Their bat guano fertilizer delivers a high amount of nitrogen and also contains soil and seed inoculant.
Archipelago Bat Guano
This fertilizer is actually mined from fossilized bat guano found in the caves of Indonesia. It contains no nitrogen, however, but is high in phosphorus. In addition to helping your plants establish a good root-base, this fertilizer is excellent for promoting large flowering and fruit growth.
Sunleaves Bat Guano
Another trusted name in organic fertilizers, Sunleaves offers a variety of different bat guano fertilizers: Jamaican, Mexican, and Indonesian. The Indonesian fertilizer is similar to Archipelago’s, in that it is also high in phosphorus, but it does offer a fair amount of nitrogen as well. The Mexican fertilizer is much higher in nitrogen, and has a lower amount of phosphorus and potassium. And Sunleaves Jamaican fertilizer, also high in phosphorus, will help your plants’ roots and bud development.
Safety Steps:
Bat guano fertilizer is, after all, guano, so you do need to take certain precautions when handling it. You absolutely want to wear gloves, preferably disposable gloves, when handling this fertilizer. It is also recommended that you wear some sort of mask or mouth and nose covering (handkerchief) when using it. This will reduce the risk of inhalation. And of course, wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap once your gardening is done for the day.
Until next time, take care and happy gardening!
I like post which deals with safe types of fertilizers and its uses.The nitrogen will help your plants grow strong and quickly and promotes your plants’ vibrant green colouration. Phosphorus will help your plants establish good roots, which are, after all, the most important part of your plant. Potassium will help your plants’ stems grow strong, firm, and sturdy.