burying fish carcasses in your garden

[SC McCarty]

I caught a shovelnose this weekend. After cleaning it, there was a large carcass that I put in the garbage. This seemed like such a waste, but I did not know how to appropriately bury it in the garden, so that there was no problem with smell or being dug up by animals. Any suggestions?

Steve

 

[BullBat]

It’s more beneficial if you chunk them up a bit. The smaller the pieces, the wider it can be spread. https://www.gardeningchannel.com/use-fish-scraps-as-garden-fertilizer/

 

[Fishmom]

Also, you need to dig DEEP. Any pet worth its salt, or any wild animal, will dig.

 

[MisterT]

Dig deep if you have pets. Otherwise covering it with 2-3 inches of dirt will work.

 

[Ken Jones]

The guts, heads and other assorted pieces of the fish I had cleaned helped make my mom's roses look beautiful. Agreed on cutting them up into managable size pieces instead of a whole fish per plant. As for depth, I never buried them that deep, maybe a foot or so but I guess it could depend on your pets.

 

[Ken Jones]

The other option, depending upon type of fish (but especially good for oily fish like mackerel and bonito), is to use them for chum. You can cut them up into small pieces but better is to buy a cheap grinder (around $20+) and run them through that. Package in Ziploc bags and save for your next fishing trip.

 

[pinfish]

I've buried my deceased pet fish in my thriving garden many times

 

[scaryfish]

+1 on the dig DEEP thing if you have pets or near anywhere with animals (racoons or skunks, etc.)

 

[SC McCarty]

Thanks to all for your replies and the link.

Steve

 

[Robf]

I have a big compost pile, and all of my fish leftovers from filleting go in there. Rarely have any animals bother it.

 

[SC McCarty]

I have a big compost pile, and all of my fish leftovers from filleting go in there. Rarely have any animals bother it.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jon_elc]

i think i'd have a raccon party in my yard if i buried fish carcasses. I had 5 raccoons swarm my front porch the other night, and then 1 pulled a rat out of a bush and proceeded to eat him on my porch (caught on security camera).

 

[SC McCarty]

i think i'd have a raccon party in my yard if i buried fish carcasses. I had 5 raccoons swarm my front porch the other night, and then 1 pulled a rat out of a bush and proceeded to eat him on my porch (caught on security camera).

Nice to know you have raccoons protecting your property.

Steve

 

[jon_elc]

raccoons are better than rats, right?!