Sorry, but that bonemeal won't do much good on top of the soil. It'll attract dogs, though, and you don't want that. A small amount of triple phosphate would serve your purpose a whole lot better. That'll leach down to where it's needed. It's not considered an organic but it'll work. Best regards.

You could try bat guano as an organic alternative. It is high in phosphorous and can be mixed with water to making feeding easier.

ok, I'll hunt up some bat guano as soon as I get home. I should be able to find that underneath a roosted bat, right? Assuming I can find a roosted bat? :)

I should be able to find that underneath a roosted bat, right?

I'd try a local nursery first. ;)

Agree that bone meal just isn't that fast acting and not a good leacher. Great stuff, just slow. Super phosphate as mentioned or one of the liquids high in phos like Super Bloom would work better. But your 10-10-10 would be sufficient in most cases for now and then plan on a good dose of phos for the whole garden this fall.

Dave

How much bonemeal would you guys recommend for a tomato plant if the soil doesn't have adequate levels of phosphorus? Can a plant be damaged with two cups or more?

How do you place it into the planting hole? Only at the bottom? Would it be better to mix it in throughout the soil around the transplant?

Hello again, concerning bone meal. If integrated into the soil where the roots will eventually penetrate, then the bone meal will exhibit it's benefits. A handful is all that's necessary. It'll take a couple of months for it to begin breaking down and the effects last a couple of years. It's a very slow release organic fertilizer. Phosphorus doesn't move through the soil like nitrogen and potassium so it's best to place it where it'll be encountered by roots as they grow.

If it takes a couple of months for the bonemeal to break down does that mean it really isn't useful for annuals? Any thoughts on this?

I think the 10-10-10 would be plenty as well. Phosphorous is almost a secondary nutreint, so you dont need a boat load of it. I think you'll be fine.

Damon