Yard & Garden Tips

When (and When Not)

to Use Bonemeal

Gardening time has returned to Vancouver Island, and most gardeners can't wait (many have already started) to get this year's vegetable and flower beds ready for the growing season to come.

A favourite soil amendment is good ole bonemeal which has been used by gardeners for ages. If you are used to buying the latest brand of specialty fertilizers you may find using bonemeal (properly) is a more economical way of achieving great results.

Here is a list of plants that like bonemeal and those you need to use with caution. For example your peas and beans might actually perform poorly with the addition of bonemeal, while your potatoes and other root crops will thank you.

Likes Bonemeal:

Root Crops – Carrots, Beets, Turnips, Radishes
Flowering Plants – Roses, Tulips, Daffodils, Lilies
Bulbs & Tubers – Onions, Garlic, Potatoes
Fruiting Vegetables – Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants
Young Trees & Shrubs – Especially helpful at transplant time

When to use with Caution:

Acid-Loving Plants – Blueberries, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias
Legumes – Beans, Peas (they fix their own nitrogen)
Leafy Greens – Lettuce, Kale, Spinach (too much phosphorus can backfire)

Tip: Always test your soil before applying bonemeal. Use it at planting time, mix it into the soil, and avoid overapplication.

Bonemeal Can Be a Good Budget Choice

Long-lasting: Breaks down slowly, so fewer applications are needed.
Multi-purpose: Good for a range of plants (roots, flowers, fruit).
Readily available: Often sold in bulk at garden centers or farm supply stores.
Organic and natural: A low-cost way to amend soil over time without synthetic additives.

Consider your garden's needs, as you may still need other amendments.

Bonemeal doesn’t supply much nitrogen, so if you need a complete fertilizer (NPK), you might still need to supplement.
It’s not fast-acting, so it’s not ideal if your plants need immediate help.

Sometimes we still need to open the wallet wider reaching for the latest Miracle BLOOM OR ELSE specialty fertilizer if we want eye-popping blooms in a hurry.

Happy Gardening

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