For example, the test will tell you if there’s a surplus of nitrogen, sufficient levels, a deficiency of nitrogen, or if it’s completely depleted.

Tomatoes Peppers Radishes Onions Squash Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach, brussels sprouts) Lettuce Corn

Blood meal will wash away after a strong rain, so you may need to reapply it occasionally. While blood meal may keep plant-eating pests away, it can attract meat-eaters, such as dogs, raccoons, or possums.

For example, blood meal can’t be imported to the U. S. from Europe because of the threat of Mad Cow disease. If you can’t find high quality blood meal, consider using alfalfa meal or feather meal instead.

Avoid using blood meal year round since overuse can burn the plants or your lawn. Consider switching to a general fertilizer during the rest of the year.

For example a small container or window box may only need a few spoonfuls of blood meal while a 100 square feet garden will need 5 cups.

While you can sprinkle a little blood meal on soil to deter animals, always mix or dilute it when adjusting nitrogen levels in your soil.

You should also avoid using blood meal on seedlings.

Remove any dried, discolored leaves from the plant. Spread wood mulch around the plant or over the soil. Apply bone meal or a phosphorous fertilizer. Use water to leach the nitrogen away from the plant or ground.