Crustacean and Marine Meals

Crustacean and Marine Meals are traditional methods of providing essential nutrients to plants, especially for those that require calcium(Ca). Crushed or ground-up shellfish shells, such as those from shrimp, crab, lobster, and mollusks, can be beneficial for your garden or crops. Here’s how shellfish can be used as fertilizer:

Crushing the Shells: Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying the shellfish shells. Once they are dry, crush them into small pieces or powder using a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or a mechanical grinder.

Application: You can apply crushed shellfish shells to the soil in several ways:

Incorporation: Mix the crushed shells directly into the soil before planting or as a soil amendment when preparing garden beds. This helps improve soil structure and adds calcium.

Compost: Incorporating crushed shellfish shells into your compost pile can enhance the calcium content of your compost. Later, you can use the nutrient-rich compost in your garden.

Crab and Lobster Shells: Crab and lobster shells, in particular, are known for their chitin content. Chitin is a natural compound that can help control certain garden pests by inducing natural resistance in plants.

Top Dressing: Sprinkle the crushed shells on top of the soil around established plants. Avoid placing them too close to the plant stems to prevent damage.

pH Adjustment: In addition to providing calcium, shellfish shells can help raise the pH of acidic soils. This can be beneficial for crops that thrive in slightly alkaline conditions.

Nutrient Content: Shellfish shells also contain small amounts of other essential nutrients like magnesium and phosphorus, which can benefit plant growth.

Slow Release of Calcium: Shellfish shells release calcium and other trace minerals slowly into the soil as they break down. This helps maintain a stable pH level in the soil and provides a long-lasting source of calcium for plants.

It’s important to note that while using shellfish shells as fertilizer is generally safe and organic, you should ensure that the shells are clean and free of any contaminants. Additionally, the use of shellfish shells may not be suitable for all plants, so it’s essential to research the specific needs of your crops or garden before applying this type of fertilizer.