I’m working with Central Garden and Pet on a sponsored campaign (full disclosure below and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) about gardening products that I already use. About 3 years ago, I started regularly applying Alaska Fish Fertilizer to my yard on the advice of Barrels and Branches, a fantastic nursery in Encinitas.

My plants were looking sluggish to the point where I was considering a pricey yard overhaul. After one application of fish fertilizer, my ginger plants started flowering again and things started perking up drastically.

9 Reasons To Use Fish Emulsion, Like Alaska Fish Fertilizer

  1. It’s an organic, liquid fertilizer that is safe to use around pets and kids.
  2. Fish emulsion is derived from unused fish parts that would otherwise be wasted, therefore, it’s eco-friendly.
  3. Fish emulsion can stink but deodorized versions, like Alaska, are available.
  4. It’s an all-purpose fertilizer that can be used on both outdoor and indoor house plants.
  5. Fish emulsion is mild and tends not to burn plants.
  6. An essential building block for healthy soil, naturally occurring soil microbes thrive and work their best in soil rich in organic matter.
  7. It’s easy to spray on your yard using a hose attachment.
  8. It works. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and you can check the reviews and ratings at online retailers like Home Depot.
  9. A gallon is inexpensive at Home Depot.

How To Use Alaska Fish Fertilizer 5-1-1

It’s very easy. All you need is either a watering can or a hose with a dial and spray attachment. The amount of fish fertilizer to measure per gallon or quart of water is on the back of the Alaska Fish Fertilizer jug. I have the Alaska dial and spray attachment so follow the directions on it. Apply to the area you would like to cover.

In my experience, it’s hard to overdose on this product so I do just guess on occasion. When I’m using the hose, I make sure the soil is sufficiently moist but avoid puddling.

In a perfect world, I’d apply it once a month but realistically it’s once a quarter at the very most. Due to being extraordinarily busy over the last year, it has been 6 months between applications and things aren’t looking nearly as good as they should around here.

Plants That Always Improve

Everything does seem to perk up a few weeks to a month after an application but these are the plants that seem to benefit the most:

  • Lady Palms (the fan palm above)
  • Orchids
  • Ginger
  • Canna
  • Ornamental Grasses

Give Alaska Fish Fertilizer a try.

Disclosure Statement
Central Garden & Pet partnered with bloggers such as me to help educate us all about their products. As part of this program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the use of the products. Central Garden & Pet believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Central Garden & Pet’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. A winner will be chosen by random and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).

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102 Comments

  1. I’m growing ginger for the first time and didn’t know that fish fertilizer was recommended. We used fish fertilizer in our garden last year but haven’t done so this year. I think we just forgot!

  2. I already use it a lot (have a HUGE front and back yard garden) and could always use more since it’s pretty expensive!

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway and sharing your plant pics – I always love some good garden inspiration!

  3. I’ve never heard of this before, but after reading your review, I’m going to pick it up this weekend. All our plants can use some help. Sounds so easy to use too.

  4. My grass could benefit from fish fertilizer.

    My Google + name is Mary F.–https://plus.google.com/u/0/107669395021498938685/posts

  5. I’ve never used Fish Fertilizer. We have justmoved into a new(older) home,and I am just about ready to do the outside flower beds. I will probably plant shrubs in the front–not completely sure.

  6. Oh My cannas would really benefit from it! I have quite a few in the backyard..they are just my favorites!

  7. My shrubs could use it. I see they sell a product for budding and blooming that I would love to try on flower beds and see how they do.

  8. i have various plants in my yard, i don’t know what kind they are, that could benefit from this!

  9. I love fish fertilizer for my garden. I don’t use emulsion’s though because they destroy all of the nutrients that the fish have. If you get a good hydrolyzed fish fertilizer all the nutrients will benefit your soil and keep your garden green for years. My most recent favorite brand is Fogroff because its not an emulsion and they only use invasive species of fish in their mixes so it helps protect our natural eco-system. I get to grow green while being green! I think their website is: fogroff.com

  10. I don’t have a huge yard but some of my potted plants could use a little fertilizer

  11. I would like to try this on my tomato plants. Thanks for the chance to win!
    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

  12. I have some wonderful orange canna lilies in yard that would look even better with the fertilizer!

  13. I have a plant that my daughter started for my for Mother’s Day that I could use it on. Thank you!

  14. First: Adorable dog, I have one that looks just like him.
    Second: I have peonies in the front that could use a pick me up.

  15. No, I do not already use it. I think that our gardenia plants could benefit from it and our aloe too!

    1. I use it on my roses and they look beautiful and I live in Texas heat. I have a hundred and 5 rose bushes so it takes a little while , but it’s worth it. I wish I knew how to post a picture they are unbelievable. I have a grouping of red knockouts that are over 20 ft. tall.

  16. I haven’t started planting anything this year that could use this and I’m not sure if anything that we have would really benefit.

  17. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like your plants like it. I think my lillies could use some of this fertilizer this spring, they aren’t doing very good this year for some reason. Thanks for having this contest.