🐟 Fertilizer? Fishy Business! 🐠

My daughter Heather knows I have been using Alaska Fish Emulsion for years. When she was visiting recently, she was a bit turned off by the odor and asked me why I use it. To me this is not a simple question.

Although I have been a researcher for decades and depend on science, I am not a scientist. I am going to answer this in a simple form. Not just for you, but also for myself.

Why Alaska Fish Emulsion?

I was looking for an organic fertilizer and at that time Alaska Fish Emulsion was commonly used. I know some people do not like the smell (like my daughter), but being a person who loves the sea, I do not mind it. I found that my plants reacted positively, so it became my go-to fertilizer.

Insights from a Sustainable Farming Symposium

In the early years at UF IFAS research center, I managed the greenhouse and hydroponic projects. I was asked to attend a sustainable farming symposium and give a talk on growing Herbs in Hydroponic Systems.

While I was there, I attended a talk given by a microbiologist; she was excellent. Her talk was about organic fertilizer vs synthetic. She said that plant and tree roots do not take the matter it needs to grow directly, it's more of an indirect process.

How Organic Fertilizer Works

Plant and tree roots are coated with something like a fungus. Microbes living around the roots feed on matter around the roots and their wastes feed the fungus, which subsequently feeds the plant.

When you use organic fertilizers, these microorganisms recognize it as nutrient, so it's more bioavailable and absorbs it more readily. When you use synthetic fertilizers, which are various salts, the microorganisms recognize it as food but it is not as readily available. Think eating protein vs potato chips (although I must admit I’m partial to chips, but I will eat protein before chips 😏).

There are many fish emulsions that can be used, but Alaska Fish Emulsion has been my preference.

Try it out and let us know how it's working for you!

Grow Your Own Herbs from Cuttings!

Would you like to learn how to grow your own herbs from store-bought cuttings? Perhaps your garden shop doesn't have a particular herb you really love. This is a great way to have what you want growing in your own garden!

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