Our Crustacean & Calcium Blend is an all-natural combination of ground seashells and shrimp meal. Used to deliver fast and slow release calcium to your soil, along with a vast range of natural minerals and soil enhancers.
Our blend contains a premium source of Chitin, which when broken down in the soil and around plant roots, triggers the production of a natural enzyme within the plant (Chitinase) which repels pests and detrimental fungal outbreaks such as powdery mildew.
Use at 1/2 - 1 cup per meter squared.
Other advantages:
- Packed with a variety of vital nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals.
- Increases soil health and fertility by introducing necessary nutrients and encouraging the development of advantageous microbes.
- Can be utilized to increase plant yields and overall defense mechanisms.
- Will make nutrient-deficient and depleted soils more fertile.
- Can aid in enhancing aeration, water retention, and soil structure by activating soil microbiology and earthwork activity.
- Can be used to raise the pH of the soil.
FAQs:
What is the Crustacean & Calcium blend, exactly?
A natural mix of finely ground seashells plus shrimp/crab meal. It’s a slow-and-steady source of calcium and nitrogen, with chitin to wake up plant defenses and feed beneficial microbes.
What does chitin actually do for plants?
Chitin kickstarts a plant’s built-in immune response and feeds chitin-loving microbes. The end result: stronger growth, better resilience, and fewer fungal/pest headaches over time.
What’s the NPK and mineral profile?
Crustacean meals typically skew nitrogen- and calcium-forward with trace phosphorus and magnesium. This DRGT blend is specifically designed to deliver fast + slow-release calcium along with organic nitrogen and trace minerals.
How do I apply Crustacean & Calcium blend in garden beds?
Scatter ½–1 cup per square metre and lightly work it into the top few centimetres of soil, then water in. It doesn’t need to be buried deep — just make sure it’s in contact with moist soil.
How do I top-dress pots and fabric beds?
Sprinkle a thin, even layer over the surface (think 1–2 tablespoons per 10–15L of soil), scratch it in gently, add a layer of mulch if you have it, and water. Repeat every 3–6 weeks during active growth.
Can I mix Crustacean & Calcium blend into fresh potting soil?
Yep. For new mixes, ½–1 cup per 25–30L of medium is a sensible starting point. Go lighter for seedlings; heavier for heavy feeders like tomatoes, peppers, and flowering annuals.
When will I see results?
This is not a “blast and burn” salt fertiliser. Expect a steady, compounding effect over weeks as microbes break it down. Most growers notice stronger growth and sturdier leaves within a few weeks, with best results across a full cycle.
Will Crustacean & Calcium blend burn my plants?
Very unlikely. It’s a slow-release organic amendment. Overdoing anything can unbalance a mix, but you’d have to seriously over-apply to cause issues.
Does Crustacean & Calcium blend help with pests and disease?
Indirectly, yes. Chitin stimulates plant defenses and shifts the soil biology in a way that’s less friendly to some root-zone nasties. Don’t treat it like a pesticide — think “better baseline resilience.”
Is Crustacean & Calcium blend any good for powdery mildew?
Used routinely, chitin inputs help plants mount stronger responses to foliar pathogens (like PM). It’s not a spray-on cure, but part of a long-game prevention strategy.
Will Crustacean & Calcium blend raise my soil pH?
Slightly, over time. Shell-based inputs buffer acidity and add calcium. If your soil is already alkaline, go easy and monitor.
Crab vs “crustacean” meal — what’s the difference here?
“Crustacean” usually means a blend of crab/shrimp/lobster shells, while “crab meal” is just crab. Blends often balance nitrogen and calcium nicely. This product is a purpose-built blend plus extra calcium.
Can I use Crustacean & Calcium blend with living soil / no-till?
Absolutely. It’s tailor-made for living soils: gentle, microbe-friendly, and easy to top-dress between cycles.
Okay for houseplants?
Yes, used sparingly. Stick to small pinches scratched into the top layer and water in. Go light — indoor media and smaller pots don’t need much.
Hydroponics — yes or no?
No. It’s a particulate organic input meant for soils and soilless mixes, not recirculating systems.
Does Crustacean & Calcium blend smell? Will it attract pets or pests?
It has a mild “ocean” scent that fades quickly after watering in. Keep bags sealed and mix it into the soil — don’t leave piles on the surface. Store away from curious pets.
Can I brew Crustacean & Calcium blend into compost tea?
You can add a small amount to a thermal compost or as a tiny fraction of a microbe tea recipe, but it’s most efficient applied directly to soil and watered in.
Good for tomatoes and fruiting crops?
Yes. The steady nitrogen plus calcium supports sturdy growth and reduces calcium-related issues (like blossom end rot risk) when used alongside balanced watering and overall nutrition.
Will earthworms like Crustacean & Calcium blend?
They’ll hang around where microbial action is strongest. Mixed into living soils and mulched, this input helps build the biology worms thrive in.
How often should I reapply?
For active veg/flower cycles, light top-dresses every 3–6 weeks work well. For garden beds, a seasonal application and one mid-season booster is plenty.
Can I combine Crustacean & Calcium blend with kelp, neem, frass, or gypsum?
Yep. It plays nicely with most organic amendments. If you’re already heavy on calcium (oyster shell, gypsum), adjust rates to avoid going overboard.
Shellfish allergies — anything to watch?
Avoid inhaling dust and wear gloves/mask if you’re sensitive. Keep out of reach of kids and pets. Wash hands after use.
How long does Crustacean & Calcium blend last in soil?
Weeks to months depending on temperature, moisture, and biology. That’s the point — slow, steady nutrition and microbial stimulation.
Does Crustacean & Calcium blend help compacted or tired soils?
Indirectly. As microbes process it, soil tilth and aggregation tend to improve. Pair with compost/mulch for bigger structure gains.
Will Crustacean & Calcium blend leach or run off?
Much less than soluble salts. It’s bound in organic material and releases as biology works — that’s why it’s waterway-friendly when used as directed.
Storage and shelf life?
Keep it dry, sealed, and out of sun. Stored well, it remains effective for years — it’s ground shell, not a volatile liquid.
Is Crustacean & Calcium blend ethically sourced?
Crustacean meals are made from food-industry shell by-product. You’re upcycling waste into plant food. Nice.
How much should I use if I’m not sure?
When in doubt, go light: ½ cup per m² for beds, or a tablespoon per 10–15L pot. You can always reapply — you can’t un-apply.
Can I use Crustacean & Calcium blend right before harvest?
You can top-dress lightly in late flower if needed, but most of its benefits come from earlier cycle applications.
Does Crustacean & Calcium blend replace lime or gypsum?
It can partially cover calcium needs and nudge pH upward like shell-based limes. Gypsum adds calcium without raising pH and supplies sulfur — different tool, different job. Many growers use both at lower rates.
Any pro tips?
Moisture + mulch = faster biology. After top-dressing, water in and cap with a thin mulch layer to keep the micro-party going.
