Organic Flaxseed Meal (slow release nitrogen)

Organic Flaxseed Meal (slow release nitrogen)

Organic Flaxseed Meal (linseed meal) is the pressed cake of New Zealand flax seed, a slow release nitrogen fertiliser with 4.8 to 5.7% nitrogen from its protein. It suits top dressing, bed preparation and potting mixes for medical cannabis and vegetables.

At a glance

• Type: single input amendment (pressed flaxseed cake, linseed meal)
• Supplier certificate on file: AsureQuality certificate, BioGro licence 5494. See the certificate and its dates.
• Analysis: 4.8% nitrogen (4.8 to 5.7% range), 1.8% phosphorus as P₂O₅ (0.79% elemental P); potassium and sulphur not stated by the supplier
• Use for: slow release nitrogen as a top dress or mixed into beds and media
• Rate: a quarter to half a cup (37 to 75 g) per plant as a top dress, or 500 g per square metre mixed into established beds
• Certification: organic (supplier Bio Oils NZ; certifier not named on the page)

What it is

Flaxseed Meal, also called linseed meal, is what is left after the oil is pressed from flax seed (Linum usitatissimum). It comes from Bio Oils NZ. The meal is 30 to 36% protein, and that protein is where the nitrogen sits.

The figures below are the supplier's typical analysis, not a batch test.

What it does

• Supplies nitrogen slowly as soil microbes break the protein down.
• Brings a little phosphorus, magnesium and calcium with it.
• A protein rich organic matter input that soil bacteria and fungi feed on.

Analysis

NPK = 4.8 - 1.8 - 0 (N, P₂O₅, K₂O); elemental 4.8 - 0.79 - potassium not stated

Supplier typical analysis (Bio Oils NZ), % by weight

• Nitrogen (N): 4.80% (supplier range 4.8 to 5.7%)
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 1.81%
• Phosphorus (P, elemental): 0.79%
• Potassium (K): not stated by the supplier
• Sulphur (S): not stated by the supplier
• Calcium (Ca): 0.30%
• Magnesium (Mg): 0.50%
• Sodium (Na): 0.08%
• Iron (Fe): 87 mg/kg

How to use

• Top dressing: a quarter to half a cup (37 to 75 g) per plant.
• Established gardens: 500 g per square metre (about 3 and a third cups), mixed into the soil.
• Heavy feeder nitrogen target of 150 ppm (about 336 kg of nitrogen per hectare): 660 g (1047 ml) per square metre of bed, 4400 g (6982 ml) per cubic metre of media, or 220 g (350 ml) per 50 litres.

Learn more in fifteen seconds

• Nitrogen: what it does
• Carbon decides when N shows up
• Nitrogen for the whole crop

Handling and storage

• Wear a mask to avoid inhaling particles and open in a well ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and eye protection, and wash hands after use.
• Once opened, keep sealed and dry.