It is recommended to water thoroughly after applying blood meal to the soil. This is important for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, blood meal is a high-nitrogen fertilizer that can be quite potent. When applied to the soil, it releases nitrogen slowly over time, which helps promote healthy plant growth. However, if blood meal is not watered in after application, it can potentially burn the roots of plants and trees, especially those with shallow root systems. Watering helps to dilute the nitrogen and prevent this potential damage.
Secondly, watering after applying blood meal helps to ensure that the nutrients in the fertilizer are properly absorbed by the soil and made available to the plants. Blood meal needs to be broken down by soil microorganisms before the nitrogen becomes accessible to plants. Moisture is essential for these microorganisms to thrive and carry out their work effectively. By watering the soil after applying blood meal, you create a favorable environment for these beneficial organisms, allowing them to break down the blood meal and release its nutrients for plant uptake.
In terms of the watering process, it is important to water thoroughly to ensure that the blood meal is evenly distributed throughout the soil. This can be done by applying water slowly and evenly to the entire area where the blood meal was applied. You want to make sure that the water penetrates deep into the soil, reaching the root zone of the plants.
I have personally used blood meal in my garden and always made sure to water the soil after application. I found that by doing so, my plants responded well and showed healthy growth. Additionally, I have seen the negative effects of not watering after applying blood meal, where some plants showed signs of nitrogen burn due to the concentrated release of nitrogen.
To summarize, watering after applying blood meal is crucial to prevent potential root damage and ensure proper nutrient absorption. By watering thoroughly, you can help dilute the nitrogen, promote the breakdown of the blood meal, and create an ideal environment for plant growth.