Imagine your cucumbers growing so large that your neighbors mistake them for hybrids with watermelons.
Sounds like a fairy tale? But this method has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of North America, who planted fish heads in the ground when planting corn.
Modern science confirms that decomposing fish enriches the soil with phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium—the trio needed for explosive vegetable growth.
A University of Alaska study (2020) found that cucumbers grown with fish waste contained 25% more nutrients than those fertilized with chemical mixtures.
Why fish?
Sea fish such as herring or mackerel are rich in omega acids, which stimulate the development of the root system. Doctor of Biological Sciences Sergey Morozov explains:
“Microorganisms that process fish create a symbiotic environment in the soil – like a probiotic for plants.”
But there is a nuance: river fish (carp, crucian carp) is less effective due to the low iodine content.
Step-by-step recipe from a champion gardener
Valentina Kovaleva from Vladivostok, three-time winner of the AgroRus exhibition, revealed her secret:
1. Take the heads and tails from salted herring (fresh ones will attract cats).
2. Freeze them for 48 hours to kill the parasites.
3. When planting cucumbers, place 1-2 heads at a depth of 20 cm.
“The harvest ripens two weeks earlier, and the flesh becomes crispy, like pickled ones,” says Valentina.
In 2018, a farmer from Krasnodar lost his entire harvest due to mole crickets that came running to the smell of fish. Entomologist Igor Semenov advises:
"Sprinkle the fish with ground red pepper to repel pests."
Another danger is an excess of nitrogen. If the cucumber leaves have become dark green and curled, water the bed with wood ash infusion (1 glass per 10 liters of water).
Your plan for the season:
1. Collect 50-100 fish heads during the winter (ask for free at fish stores).
2. In April, bury them around the perimeter of the future beds - this will scare away moles.
3. When planting, add 1 head + a handful of eggshells to the hole for calcium balance.
Agronomist Mikhail Voronov criticizes the method: “The fish attracts rats and disrupts the ecological balance.”
But thousands of summer residents have already proven: it is worth taking a risk for the sake of kilogram cucumbers. Try it on one bed - and decide whether the game is worth the candle.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
