Crab/Lobster Shell Flour – Organic Marine Soil Amendment

Chitin-Rich Marine Fertilizer for Stronger Soil Biology and Healthier Plants

Crab/Lobster Shell Flour from The Soil Makers is a finely ground crustacean meal designed to nourish soil biology while delivering valuable nutrients to plants. This marine-based soil amendment contains naturally occurring nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and chitin, making it a powerful addition to organic soil programs and compost systems.

The high chitin content helps stimulate beneficial soil microbes that break down organic matter and support healthier soil ecosystems. As these microbes digest chitin, they help build a more biologically active soil environment that supports plant resilience and balanced nutrient cycling.

This finely milled flour integrates easily into soil blends, compost mixes, and top-dressing applications, allowing nutrients and organic matter to distribute evenly throughout the root zone. It also helps improve soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity, making it ideal for raised beds, container gardens, and living soil systems.

Crab/Lobster Shell Flour is widely used by organic gardeners as a soil-building amendment that supports long-term soil fertility and plant health.

Key Benefits:

• Provides nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium

• High chitin content supports beneficial soil microbes

• Improves soil structure and moisture retention

• Encourages active soil biology and nutrient cycling

• Finely ground for easy blending into soil and compost

• Suitable for garden beds, containers, and organic soil mixes

Ideal Applications:

• Organic garden beds and raised beds

• Compost piles and soil-building mixes

• Container gardens and potting soil blends

• Top-dressing for vegetables, flowers, and shrubs

• Living soil and regenerative gardening programs

How to Apply:

Soil Mixes or Pre-Plant Incorporation

• Mix ¼ to ½ cup per cubic foot of soil before planting

• Blend into compost or organic soil mixes

Top-Dressing

• Apply to the soil surface and cover with worm castings or compost

• Water in to help nutrients integrate into the soil

For enhanced soil health, many gardeners combine crab shell flour with kelp meal to support microbial diversity and soil structure.

Optional Chitin Spray (For Pest & Fungal Pressure)

A chitin extract solution can be prepared for gardens experiencing fungal or pest pressure:

1. Mix ¼ cup Crab/Lobster Shell Flour with 4 gallons of water and 1 teaspoon Quantum VSC

2. Allow the mixture to sit 1–2 days until the initial odor fades

3. Strain the solids and dilute the liquid with an additional 4 gallons of water

4. Apply as a foliar spray in early morning or late afternoon

Remaining solution can also be applied to soil or compost piles to support microbial activity.