Insect Frass 3-1-3

Insect Frass | Organic Fertilizer & Soil Amendment for Healthy Plants

Transform your garden with Insect Frass, a nutrient-dense organic fertilizer ideal for enhancing plant growth and improving soil health.

What is Insect Frass?

Insect Frass is a natural compost alternative that can significantly boost your garden's fertility. It is composed entirely of plant matter that herbivorous insects have digested. Thus, utilizing insect frass provides your plants with a source of nutrients extracted from digested plant materials, making it a comprehensive and beneficial plant food.

The NPK ratio of insect frass is 3-1-3, making it one of the few plant-derived sources of Chitin. Moreover, insect frass serves as a natural pest deterrent, while also nourishing beneficial insects in your garden that contribute to plant health.

Advantages of Insect Frass

While the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) levels in insect frass may not reach the high levels found in bird or mammal manure, it remains a sustainable and beneficial addition to your garden. Composting insect frass enhances its benefits by increasing the number of fungi present.

In addition, it adjusts the pH level, making it more suitable for perennials, shrubs, and trees. Since insect frass is composed entirely of digested plant materials, it is rich in essential nutrients for plant growth, along with the beneficial microbes found within the guts of insects. Insect frass is also one of the rare sources of chitin available from plants, which offers a convenient way to obtain this important substance.

How to Use Insect Frass

Before applying insect frass to your garden, it's generally advisable to mix it into the soil or compost first. However, if your plants are already established, you can blend insect frass with water and let it steep for several hours. Then, apply it directly to the roots of your plants.

• For fertilizing raised beds: Plan to incorporate one pound of insect frass for every 20 square feet of garden area. After that, gently work the top six inches of soil and thoroughly water it before mixing in the frass. To maintain benefits, you may add a top dressing of frass every few weeks during the growing season.

• For preparing potting soil mixes: Add one cup of insect frass per cubic foot of potting soil. Additionally, sprinkle some on top of the soil every few weeks for extra benefits.

• For an insect frass tea extract: Combine ½ cup of insect frass with a gallon of dechlorinated water and apply it to your plants’ roots within two hours of preparation. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to a week, as keeping it at room temperature will cause it to spoil quickly.