"Frass" is the term for the waste product of insects; it refers to both their manure and the shed exoskeletons from their larvae shedding their skins as they grow. Like mammal manures, frass is highly nutritious to plants but unlike regular manures, frass has some added benefits that cannot be found in any other supplement. Frass comes as a dry, sandy product that is easy to measure and apply and is a high-quality organic soil additive.
Analytically, frass is approximately 2-2-2 on the NPK analysis making it well-balanced and suitable for all organic horticulture as a fertilizer and soil microbiome enhancer. It is fully mineralized (available to plants), but also has low solubility so it won't leach out from rain or watering and will continue to provide slow-release nutrients to your plants for a long time.
Frass' nitrogen is in elemental form and has negligible ammonia and nitrate levels. This means it can be used on cannabis without causing hermaphroditism and can be used safely during flower. Pretty remarkable stuff!
It contains many active compounds that stimulate robust, healthy plants. Among these is chitin, a compound naturally produced by insects as well as mushrooms, shellfish, algae and yeast. But frass is the only form of chitin that is bio-available to plants! When a plant senses chitin it immediately begins a natural defensive process, thinking it may be under attack by insects. The plant's response makes it much more resistant to disease including pest insects, nematodes, and fungi by toughening cell walls and releasing natural compounds that inhibit insect depredation.
Frass also supports a healthy soil ecology by cultivating beneficial fungi and microbial life in the plant's root zone. This not only makes nutrients more available to the plant, but helps out compete undesirable organisms (like any robust natural ecosystem).
Frass is a staple for expert cannabis cultivators for its ability to benefit the plant in all the ways described above, and is also believed to correlate strongly with increased terpene and essential oil production in both quality and quantity. As the industry scientifically documents frass' benefits, it is becoming more commonplace in other types of horticulture where natural, multi-modal supplements help your produce or medicine stand out!
Frass' biological activity and its gentle slow-release organic fertilizer action makes it a wonderful complement to Vermicast in natural sustainable gardening!
When transplanting plants including cannabis - Add pinch of frass and mycorrhizal spores to each transplant site to establish optimal rhizosphere in growing roots
Preparing container soil - 1 Tablespoon per gallon; one cup per cubic foot; or 5 pounds per cubic yard of soil/media blend prior to planting (approx. 0.8% by volume)
Top dress existing plants - Sprinkle over root zone and water in thoroughly
Root drench - Add 1 Tsp to 1 Tbsp Insect Frass per gallon of water
Foliar feed - Add 1 Tsp to 1 Tbsp per gallon of water, shake and let sit for 30-120 minutes, then apply. It's not 100% soluble, so strain before applying
Compost tea - 1 T per gal/1 cup Insect Frass per 15 gallons of tea - add ½ dose at beginning of brew, and the other ½ dose within the last hour of brew
Hydroponics or aquaponics - Top dress directly to any grow media (rockwool, coco, hydroton)
To suppress parasitic nematodes, fungus gnats - Top dress over entire root zone and water in thoroughly
[Bold = most effective applications]