Even at our local U-Pick field, they are $3.00 a pound. That’s considered a great deal!
Then there’s the work of picking in the hot sun. And potentially having to use a porta potty. Yikes.
Blueberries bought at the store for $4. 50 a pint will suffice at times. But their mushiness can make them inedible other than in oatmeal.
This may be why I’m a good person to ask about growing blueberries: I’ve never done it before, but I was able to get an amazing harvest from a fall crop.
Blueberries are one of the most delicious and nutrient-dense fruits you can grow in your garden. Their sweet, bursting flavor alone makes growing blueberries worth the effort But did you know that fish emulsion could be the secret to growing even bigger, better blueberries?
In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at using fish emulsion fertilizer for blueberries. You’ll learn:
- What fish emulsion is and how it works
- The key benefits of fish emulsion for blueberry plants
- How and when to apply fish emulsion to blueberries
- If there are any downsides to using fish fertilizer on blueberries
After reading, you’ll know everything you need to make an informed decision about using fish emulsion in your own blueberry patch. Let’s dive in!
What Is Fish Emulsion Fertilizer?
Fish emulsion is a type of organic liquid fertilizer made from fish waste products. The fish parts not used for human consumption (like bones, guts, and heads) are finely ground and emulsified in water. This process breaks down the fish matter into an easy-to-absorb fertilizer for plants.
The best fish emulsion comes from cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, halibut, cod, and pollock. The cold environment causes these fish to have higher oil content. Those oils translate to more nutrients for your plants when processed into emulsion.
You can buy fish emulsion fertilizer ready-made at most gardening stores. It’s usually sold as a thick, brown liquid concentrate. To use, simply dilute the emulsion in water per the instructions and apply it to your garden.
Now that you know what fish emulsion is, let’s look at why it works so well for growing big, juicy blueberries
The Benefits of Using Fish Emulsion Fertilizer on Blueberries
Fish emulsion fertilizer offers a number of advantages that make it a great fit for blueberries:
1. It Provides a Balanced Source of Macro- and Micronutrients
Fish emulsion contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium – all key macronutrients plants need. The NPK ratio is typically around 5-1-1, perfect for fruiting plants like blueberries.
Fish fertilizer also contains tons of micronutrients, including iron, sulfur, zinc, copper, boron, and manganese. These support overall plant health and fruit development.
Such a complete nutritional profile means your blueberry plants get fed from roots to fruits.
2. It Delivers Nutrients in a Fast-Acting Form
The nutrients in fish emulsion come from animal sources, meaning they’re already broken down into forms that plants can readily absorb. This makes them faster acting than plant-based fertilizers.
Your blueberry plants get a quick burst of vital nutrients, allowing them to gain vigor, size, and yield quickly.
3. It Acidifies Soil
One of the keys to growing great blueberries is acidic soil with a pH between 4-5. Fish emulsion helps lower soil pH into this ideal range.
This is because proteins in the fish fertilizer break down into ammonium (NH4+), an acidic form of nitrogen that blueberry plants thrive on.
4. It Provides a Natural Source of Nitrogen
Speaking of nitrogen – blueberry plants need plenty of it to grow and fruit heavily. Fish emulsion offers an all-natural way to give them the nitrogen boost they crave.
The nitrogen in fish fertilizer also releases more slowly than synthetic nitrogen. This feeds plants longer while lessening the risk of burn.
5. It Contains Beneficial Enzymes
Enzymes in fish emulsion fertilizers help stimulate natural processes in the soil. This kickstarts microbial activity and accelerates the release of nutrients.
In turn, your blueberry plants can maximize their growth and fruit production.
6. It Deters Pests
Certain compounds in fish emulsion, like chitin, help deter pests like deer, rabbits, and insects. This reduces pest damage without toxic pesticides.
7. It’s Organic
Fish emulsion gives you all the above benefits in a 100% organic, natural form. It enriches your soil while avoiding dangerous chemical residues on your berries.
For the healthiest garden and the tastiest homegrown blueberries, fish fertilizer is a smart organic choice.
How and When to Apply Fish Emulsion to Blueberries
Now that you know why fish emulsion is effective on blueberries, let’s cover application guidelines. Here are some tips:
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Dilute fish emulsion before applying. The standard dilution is 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of emulsion per 1 gallon of water. This prevents fertilizer burn.
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Apply weekly once growth starts. Fertilize your blueberry bushes with fish emulsion from early spring through mid-August. Discontinue fertilizing after that so plants harden off for winter.
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Use 1 gallon of diluted emulsion per plant. Adjust amounts based on plant size and age. Established bushes need more fertilizer than young ones.
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Water emulsion into the soil. Apply the solution to moist soil. Water it in well after application to disperse nutrients into the root zone. Avoid getting it directly on the leaves.
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Alternate with other organic fertilizers. Pair fish emulsion with compost, manure, kelp, and rock phosphate applications. This gives a balanced feeding regimen.
Follow these guidelines to harness the full benefits of fish emulsion for your blueberries. Tweak application frequency and amounts as needed based on soil, climate, and plant response.
Are There Any Downsides to Using Fish Fertilizer on Blueberries?
While fish emulsion has many advantages for blueberries, a few potential downsides exist:
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Odor. Emulsified fish matter has a strong, fishy odor, especially in its concentrated form. The scent dissipates when diluted, but some find it unpleasant to work with.
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Cost. Liquid fish emulsion typically costs more than other granular fertilizer options per pound of nutrients. Buying it pre-made is less economical than DIY emulsions.
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Burn risk. Fish emulsion is potent, especially when misapplied. Heavy concentrations can burn plant roots and leaves. Follow label instructions carefully.
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Repeat applications needed. Unlike slow-release granular fertilizers, fish emulsion washes out of soil quickly. Repeat doses are needed to sustain plant growth.
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Pet safety. Fish emulsion likely won’t seriously harm pets if ingested. But stomach upset is possible, so keep dogs away from treated areas until emulsion dries.
With careful use, these disadvantages are easy to manage. Just take care when applying fish emulsion, and dilute it adequately. The benefits it offers blueberry plants make it a rewarding organic fertilizer choice for most gardeners.
Hopefully this article shed some light on using fish emulsion fertilizer in your blueberry patch. When applied properly, fish emulsion is a fantastic way to grow bigger, sweeter berries. It feeds blueberry plants across the board while deterring pests and acidifying soil.
If you want to take your blueberry harvest to the next level through organic means, fish emulsion is absolutely worth trying. Follow the tips above to apply it successfully. Before long, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labors in the form of gigantic, mouthwatering blueberries. Get out there and grow something great with fish fertilizer!
Fish fertilizer in action…
Use 1 oz. of fish & seaweed blend per gallon of water and feed once a week early in the morning.
Spray the foliage and soil until leaves are dripping and the soil is good and wet. A bigger plant will receive more than a smaller plant. Results achieved using fish & seaweed blend include:
- Higher yields
- Larger berries
- When the brix (sugar content) goes up, the fruit has more value, flavor, and protection against disease and insects.
- Increased nutritional value
- Increased overall health of plants
- Increased shelf life of berries
- Repels deer and rabbits
- Gives draught and frost protection
Why pH is paramount!
So if you are a pH perfectionist~ aim for a pH between 4-4. 5, other than that, under 5 is still considered good!.
You can’t ignore the pH problem and hope it goes away. In fact, I wouldn’t even plant blueberries if you weren’t going to check the pH of the soil.
Why spend time and money buying plants, watering, fertilizing, and worrying about them when they don’t do much or anything?
But zero yield is what you’ll get if that pH isn’t spot-on. To make soil more acidic, you can always add things like granulated sulfur, peat moss, pine bark, or pine needles.
Don’t get me wrong. At a pH of 5, I was happy.
Tom was not. He ordered Espoma Soil Acidifier to bring the pH down just a bit more so it was in the 4–4 range. 5 zone. Men!.
If you want to test your soil, you can send it to your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office or a similar service. Currently, they charge roughly $2 per sample.
Also, your local paper’s garden, wellness, and health section will have events and places that will test your soil for free or a very small fee this time of year. Worth it!.
I bought a soil testing meter, which helped me a lot in getting the pH right for the blueberries.
Not to mention my hydrangeas are happier, too!
How and when to fertilize blueberry bushes.
Can you use seaweed emulsion on blueberry trees?
Both seaweed and fish emulsion encourage the natural sugar production in your blueberry tree leaves, helping them grow much stronger even in excessive heat or dry weather conditions. This product can also be used for flowering fruit trees such as citrus, avocados and watermelons.
How to neutralize acid in blueberries?
Blueberries are an acid fruit, however their acidity cannot be modified. The buffer systems of our organism take care of regulating the pH of our body, so it would not be a problem to consume it and are very healthy. Those who suffer from gastritis or reflux should moderate the consumption of this fruit.
Is fish emulsion good for plants?
Nutrient-Rich: It is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, crucial for healthy plant growth. The N-P-K ratio is typically around 5-2-2. Micronutrients: Fish emulsion also contains essential micronutrients and trace elements which are beneficial for plants.
Should I use fish emulsion fertilizer?
If you are cautious or inexperienced in using fertilizer, then fish emulsion fertilizer would be a good option, as it is pretty much foolproof. More potent fertilizers will need to be used less often, but they do carry the risk of causing fertilizer burn. Fish emulsion fertilizer, as you may expect, does have a foul smell.