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Complete Guide to Homemade Fish Intestine Fertilizer: Cost-Saving, Odor-Free, for Lush, Sweet Vegeta

fanmimi 3天前 分类：Vegetable planting experience 评论(0)

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For balcony vegetable growers or those with small home gardens, fertilization is a crucial factor affecting vegetable growth. Commercial chemical fertilizers are not only costly but also often underperforming, and long-term use may even damage soil structure. Today, we’ll share a cost-effective and efficient organic fertilization solution — homemade fish intestine fertilizer. Known as "golden fertilizer" by experienced gardeners, this fertilizer helps leafy greens like Chinese cabbage and spinach grow lush with thick, dark green leaves. More importantly, when made correctly, the process is completely odor-free and pest-resistant, resulting in vegetables that taste fresher and sweeter!
1. Why Choose Homemade Fish Intestine Fertilizer? — A Low-Cost, Nutrient-Rich Option
First, fish intestines are easy to obtain and low-cost. When buying fish at the market, simply ask the fishmonger for the intestines — most will give them for free. Whether from crucian carp, grass carp, or other common fish, all intestines work well for making fertilizer, truly turning "waste into treasure."
Second, fish intestine fertilizer is rich in nutrients. Fish intestines contain essential plant nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. After full fermentation, these nutrients convert into organic matter easily absorbed by plants. Compared to chemical fertilizers, it offers more comprehensive and gentle nutrition, improving soil fertility over the long term.

Most importantly, vegetables grown with fish intestine fertilizer have distinct advantages. They develop stronger disease resistance, reducing pest infestations. With balanced nutrient supply, the vegetables taste tender and significantly sweeter, recreating the "flavor of childhood" — healthy and delicious.

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2. Preparation Before Making Fish Intestine Fertilizer: Collection and Critical Handling
1. Collecting Fish Intestines
After purchasing fish at the market, directly ask the fishmonger for the intestines — they will usually agree. No need to select specific fish species; intestines from common freshwater or saltwater fish all work. Collect extra intestines, seal them, and store temporarily in the freezer until you have enough to make fertilizer.
2. Critical Pre-Treatment: Removing the Gallbladder
This step is vital for ensuring fertilizer effectiveness and vegetable taste. After obtaining the intestines, carefully inspect and completely remove the gallbladder. Gallbladder fluid is bitter; if accidentally broken, the fluid will seep into the intestines, making the fermented fertilizer bitter and affecting vegetable taste. In severe cases, it may even harm plant growth. Use scissors to gently cut open the outer membrane of the intestines, locate the yellow-green gallbladder, and carefully peel it off for disposal.
3. Core Steps: Step-by-Step Guide to Making "Odor-Free" Fish Intestine Fertilizer (with Material List)
Many people hesitate to make fish intestine fertilizer due to concerns about strong odors during fermentation. However, by using the "layered fermentation method" and simple odor-prevention tips, you can easily eliminate this issue.
【Required Materials】

  • Lidded plastic bucket: A 5-liter cooking oil bucket is preferred for its durability and good sealing. Larger buckets can be used based on the amount of fish intestines, but ensure the lid fits tightly.

  • Collected fish intestines: Thawed intestines with the gallbladder removed.

  • Ordinary garden soil: General-purpose garden soil from gardens or flower markets works; no need for nutrient-rich soil. Garden soil’s permeability and water retention are better for fermentation.

  • Orange/ grapefruit/ lemon peels: Peels from daily fruit consumption. They are natural "odor neutralizers," counteracting fermentation odors and adding a faint fruity scent.

【Detailed Production Process】

  1. Clean the container: Thoroughly wash the plastic bucket to remove oil residues and impurities, then dry in a ventilated area. Ensure no moisture or oil remains to prevent mold growth during fermentation.

  1. Add a bottom layer of soil: Place a 5 cm-thick layer of garden soil at the bottom of the dried bucket. This layer isolates the bucket bottom, prevents direct contact between intestines and the bucket wall, and provides a basic microbial environment for fermentation.

  1. Add fish intestines: Spread a 2-3 cm-thick layer of fish intestines evenly over the bottom soil. Avoid piling intestines too thickly or densely to ensure uniform fermentation.

  1. Cover and seal: Fully cover the intestines with garden soil. Ensure sufficient thickness to completely wrap the intestines and prevent direct contact with air — this is key to reducing odors and pests.

  1. Repeat layering: Alternate layers of "garden soil + fish intestines" until the bucket is 5-10 cm from full. Leave space to prevent fertilizer overflow during fermentation.

  1. Final layer and odor prevention: Add a 10 cm-thick layer of garden soil as the top layer, ensuring it is flat and compact. Tear orange/ grapefruit/ lemon peels into small pieces, spread them on top of the final soil layer or bury them slightly. The peels’ fragrance effectively neutralizes fermentation odors.

  1. Seal for fermentation: Tighten the lid, but do not seal completely — leave a small gap or poke 5-10 holes in the lid with a needle. This prevents dust and pests from entering while allowing gas release, avoiding excessive pressure and bucket explosion.

  1. Storage and waiting: Place the bucket in a cool, ventilated area such as a balcony corner or hallway, avoiding direct sunlight. Direct sunlight raises the bucket temperature, accelerating water evaporation and destabilizing fermentation, which affects fertilizer quality.

4. How to Determine Fermentation Completion? — Check Time, Appearance, and Smell
Fermentation time depends on ambient temperature, varying significantly by season. Judge completion through time and visual cues.
1. Fermentation Time Reference

  • Spring and summer (20-30℃): Higher temperatures boost microbial activity, shortening fermentation to 1.5-2 months.

  • Autumn and winter (5-15℃): Lower temperatures slow microbial activity, extending fermentation to over 3 months. If indoor heating maintains temperatures above 15℃ in winter, fermentation time can be slightly reduced.

2. 3 Signs of Successful Fermentation

  • Smell: When opening the lid, no obvious fishy or foul odor is detected — only a faint earthy and fruity scent from the peels indicates completion.

  • Appearance: The original fish intestines have completely decomposed and disappeared, with no visible chunks remaining. The soil turns dark black and feels slightly sticky but not clumpy, showing full nutrient conversion.

  • Texture: Take a small amount of fermented soil, mix with water. Clear, odorless water with evenly dispersed soil (no floating impurities) serves as an additional indicator of success.

5. Correct Usage of Fish Intestine Fertilizer: Avoid "Root Burning" for Efficient Plant Absorption
Fermented fish intestine fertilizer is a high-concentration organic fertilizer. Direct use will cause "root/ seedling burning" due to high concentration. Dilute it correctly to maximize effectiveness.
1. Dilution Ratio
Take 1 spoon (about 15-20g) of fermented fertilizer (including soil), mix with 10 times the volume of water (1 part fertilizer to 10 parts water). Stir well and let stand for 5-10 minutes to fully dissolve nutrients. For added safety, especially for seedling-stage vegetables, increase water to a 1:15 ratio to lower concentration.
2. Suitable Vegetable Types

  • Preferred for leafy greens: Spinach, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, and chrysanthemum greens. These short-growth-cycle vegetables have high nitrogen needs; fish intestine fertilizer provides sufficient nutrients for rapid, thick leaf growth with dark green color.

  • Also suitable for fruiting vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants. Apply before bud formation — the high phosphorus content promotes flower bud differentiation, increasing flowering and fruiting while enhancing fruit sweetness and taste.

3. Fertilization Frequency and Tips

  • Frequency: Water plants every 10-15 days; avoid over-fertilization. Increase frequency for leafy greens during peak growth. Reduce for fruiting vegetables after fruit set to prevent excessive nutrient growth.

  • Tips: Pour diluted fertilizer directly onto soil around plant roots; avoid splashing on leaves. If leaves are accidentally contaminated, rinse immediately with water to prevent burning (which causes spots or rot). For shallow-rooted vegetables, dig a shallow trench around roots, pour in fertilizer, and cover with soil for slow nutrient absorption and improved efficiency.

6. Common Questions and Solutions (FAQ) — Addressing Production and Usage Issues
Q: How to ensure no pests when making homemade fish intestine fertilizer?
A: In addition to adding fruit peels during fermentation, sprinkle a layer of wood ash evenly on the top soil. Wood ash has antibacterial and pest-repellent properties while supplementing potassium — a triple benefit. Ensure the bucket lid is tightly closed; use tape to seal gaps if needed, preventing fruit flies and small insects from entering to lay eggs. Avoid opening the lid during fermentation to minimize pest access.
Q: Besides leafy and fruiting vegetables, can fish intestine fertilizer be used for other plants?
A: Yes. Rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, it is also suitable for foliage plants (pothos, spider plants, monstera) and flowering plants (roses, gardenias, jasmine). For foliage plants, it promotes leaf growth with brighter colors. For flowering plants, apply 1-2 months before blooming to encourage bud formation, extend flowering period, and produce larger, more vibrant flowers. Always dilute at a 1:10 ratio to avoid high concentration.
Q: White mold appears in the bucket during fermentation — is this a failure?
A: Not necessarily. Small amounts of white mold with no bad odor (only normal earthy and fruity scents) indicate beneficial mold from fermentation — a normal 现象 that does not affect fertilizer quality. However, large amounts of white mold with a pungent odor (rotten or sour) signal harmful bacteria growth and abnormal fermentation. Do not use this fertilizer, as it may harm vegetables.
Conclusion
Homemade fish intestine fertilizer is an eco-friendly and practical gardening technique. It turns discarded fish intestines into "treasure," providing natural organic nutrients for home-grown vegetables while saving fertilizer costs. The result is healthy, delicious organic vegetables. The process is simple — just follow the guide, wait patiently for fermentation, and master this skill easily.
Save this guide now! Next time you buy fish at the market, remember to ask for the intestines and try making fish intestine fertilizer yourself. Growing vegetables with your own homemade fertilizer will surely bring a strong sense of accomplishment and harvest joy. If you encounter other issues during production or use, feel free to leave a message for discussion — let’s explore better gardening methods together.


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