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Container Gardening

Fish Emulsion for the Do-it-yourselfer - Eewww!

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

16 years ago

A couple of years ago, a dear friend sent me this link to a thread describing the trials of a certain person who was trying to make Homemade Fish Emulsion. Even though it inspires buckets of empathy, it still rates as probably one of the funniest things I've ever read on these forums.

I've been working hard on pruning, root-pruning, and repotting bonsai & potential bonsai, as well as spending lots of extra time here on the forum lately as it comes alive, so I thought I'd take a little break with you and share a little levity.

If you have a funny story that has the slightest relevance to container gardening in it, please share - or just stop by to say HI!size> - then we can get back to business. ;o)

Al

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Comments (4)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
16 years ago
Hi, Al! That's a great story, thanks for the link.
Last year, when I fertilized my potted plants with fish emulsion, I had red ants
over-run all my containers. I must have used too much emulsion, although I tend
to go pretty weak when I fertilize. Insects love the stuff though, that's for sure.

Josh
puglvr1
16 years ago
Hi Al,

Just wanted to say thanks for posting that link. That is without a doubt one of the funniest posts I have read in a long time. I was laughing so hard. I can just picture this poor person trying to figure out what to do next. What a riot...

Don't work too hard, and take care!
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The main bed I've put them in is roughly 20x24. I've been doing it for a few years. What happens is that my brothers ice fish, so they save all their guts for me, and i just build up a good pile. In spring they thaw out, my garden thaws out and I bury them about a foot down. My nutrient levels are probably through the roof. Its amazing that most of the fish is just tossed in the garbage. You guys are right about animals. I swear my neighbor dog was digging in my fish guts a few years back after i had buried them. An option would be to put down a big board or some heavy fencing (cattle panel) over the top of the guts for a few weeks.
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I had the same exact question. Have half a Costco jar full of expired fish oil pills, and am afraid to use them myself or even give to the cats since they are probably somewhat rancid. Did some googling and was happy to see, it seems that it could be beneficial in the garden. I hate throwing out supplements, and any type of animal product. Something gave it's life for that. The least we can do is try to put it to good use, instead of dumping it into the landfill.
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Walmart started carrying Alaska brand in quarts last year. Most garden centers should have it, some hardware stores in larger metro areas too. My roses love it also. I started a new feeding program last year of applying Rose Tone first in spring, and then after the first bloom is finished I feed every 3 weeks with nothing but fish emulsion. We should point out that fish emulsion and pond or aquarium waste water are not the same thing. Fish emulsion is everything that's left over from processing edible fishes into food products, like guts, heads, fins... (hey, roses think it's yummy), pondwater is good aged water with some nutrients in it from fish waste - which is also valuable to your plants. but not nearly the same strength as fish emulsion. Rob:)
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As long as you're using a clean implement with the commercial mayonnaise and not introducing a bunch of new bacteria, it's really fine in the fridge for months. They pasteurize the eggs. The sell by dates are the ones they guarantee the product for with the addition of a reasonable amount of time in the pantry for you to open it. That's not for edibility but that they'll guarantee the freshness--it's not rancid, deemulsified, scummy, moldy or otherwise gnarly. If it has been kept clean and cold, and doesn't look, smell or taste funny, it should be fine. The only thing I use sweetened mayonnaise for (I appreciate other people's druthers, just speaking for myself) is broccoli slaw. I like a thick honey poppyseed dressing for that, which has a mayonnaise base. It's not very sweet, but makes a nice counterpoint to the broccoli.
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filix
16 years ago
Too funny! filix
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Original Author
16 years ago
Ohhh my! I laughed soo hard I almost ...... well, never mind that, but I laughed REALLY hard. I kept getting this mental image of the guy leaning over the bucket while trying to pry the lid off - maybe sloshing a little of the valued elixir on his hands or shoes .....

1 - 5 gallon bucket ............................................... $3.00
2 gallons of red & beeliner snapper parts .............. 2.00
1 - serving of blackstrap and dried molasses ......... 1.50
The look of surprise when he popped the lid ..... PRICELESS!

;o)

Al

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