Living Soil / Nitrogen + Phosphorus Protocol

Seabird + Bat Guano For Living Soil Cannabis

Down To Earth Seabird Guano 0-11-0 and Bat Guano 7-3-1 serve very different roles in a cannabis living-soil system. Use Seabird Guano for phosphorus and calcium before early flower; use Bat Guano as a controlled nitrogen-forward amendment during transplant and vegetative growth.

View application rates ↓ Application guide →

Organic Guano 0-11-0 / 7-3-1

Select Need. Dose Precisely.

Two Different Guano Tools

Down To Earth Seabird Guano 0-11-0 and Bat Guano 7-3-1 should not be treated interchangeably. Seabird Guano is a high-phosphorus, high-calcium input best suited to soil building, recycling, pre-flower preparation, and selective early-flower use.

Bat Guano is nitrogen-forward, with 7% total nitrogen, 3% available phosphate, and 1% soluble potash. It is more appropriate for transplanting, vegetative growth, pre-flower preparation, and underfed soil that needs a measured nitrogen contribution.

Both products are potent compared with worm castings or compost. They should be used as targeted amendments within a balanced living-soil program—not as routine top-dresses, late-flower boosters, or replacements for soil testing.

Neither guano is a complete cannabis fertilizer. Pair them with compost or worm castings, potassium sources, trace minerals, mulch, aeration, an active soil food web, and a full understanding of what is already in the soil.

Product Comparison Matrix

Product	N-P-K	Primary Role	Best Timing	Key Secondary Nutrient
DTE Seabird Guano	0-11-0	Phosphorus and calcium	Soil building, pre-flower, early flower	20% calcium
DTE Bat Guano	7-3-1	Nitrogen-forward organic feeding	Transplant, vegetative growth, pre-flower	Minor N-P-K balance

Seabird Guano 0-11-0

Seabird Guano is a concentrated organic phosphorus source with no listed nitrogen or potassium and a substantial 20% calcium analysis. It can support rooting, flowering, and fruiting, but phosphorus and calcium can accumulate quickly in repeatedly recycled living soil.

Guaranteed Analysis

0% Nitrogen

Seabird Guano has no listed nitrogen, making it more suitable than nitrogen-heavy amendments when the soil needs a phosphorus-focused input.

Guaranteed Analysis

11% Phosphate

The high available phosphate analysis makes Seabird Guano useful for planned root development, flowering preparation, and early-flower support.

Guaranteed Analysis

20% Calcium

The calcium level is substantial. Reduce or skip it when the full recipe already includes multiple calcium amendments or calcium-rich water.

Seabird Guano Amount	Approx. Weight	Phosphate P₂O₅	Calcium
1 tbsp	0.6 oz / 17 g	1.87 g	3.4 g
2 tbsp	1.2 oz / 34 g	3.74 g	6.8 g
¼ cup	2.5 oz / 71 g	7.81 g	14.2 g
½ cup	5 oz / 142 g	15.62 g	28.4 g
1 cup	10 oz / 284 g	31.24 g	56.8 g

Seabird Guano Rates

For cannabis living soil, start below the maximum label range because the 11% phosphate and 20% calcium analysis adds up quickly. Use the lower end first in previously amended or repeatedly recycled containers.

Use Case	Conservative Rate	Moderate Rate
Fresh soil build	½ tbsp per gallon	1 tbsp per gallon
Recycled soil recharge	½ tbsp per gallon	1 tbsp per gallon
Transplant hole	1 tbsp	1–2 tbsp
Early-flower top-dress	½ tbsp per gallon	1 tbsp per gallon
15-gallon soil build	7–8 tbsp / about ½ cup	15 tbsp / about 1 cup
15-gallon early-flower top-dress	¼ cup	½ cup

Bat Guano 7-3-1

DTE Bat Guano is a nitrogen-rich organic amendment that also provides phosphorus and potassium. Its blend of soluble and insoluble nitrogen makes it useful during early growth, but it can be too nitrogenous for late-flowering cannabis.

Nitrogen Profile

7% Total Nitrogen

Bat Guano provides more nitrogen than Seabird Guano, making it more useful for transplanting, vegetative growth, and soil recharging where nitrogen is needed.

Release Profile

1.8% Soluble / 5.2% Insoluble

The product contains a faster soluble nitrogen fraction plus a larger slower water-insoluble fraction that depends more heavily on soil conditions.

Minor N-P-K Balance

3% P₂O₅ + 1% K₂O

It also supplies modest phosphate and potash, but it remains primarily a nitrogen-forward organic amendment rather than a complete fertilizer.

Bat Guano Amount	Approx. Weight	Nitrogen	Phosphate P₂O₅	Potash K₂O
1 tsp	~1 g	0.07 g	0.03 g	0.01 g
1 tbsp	~2.8 g	0.20 g	0.08 g	0.03 g
¼ cup	~14 g	0.98 g	0.42 g	0.14 g
½ cup	~28 g	1.96 g	0.84 g	0.28 g
1 cup	~57 g	3.99 g	1.71 g	0.57 g

Bat Guano Rates

Use Bat Guano as a measured vegetative nitrogen amendment. Start conservatively if your living soil already contains fish meal, blood meal, alfalfa, poultry-manure compost, nitrogen-heavy dry blends, or other concentrated nitrogen inputs.

Use Case	Conservative Rate	Moderate Rate
Fresh soil build	½ tsp per gallon	1 tsp per gallon
Recycled soil recharge	½ tsp per gallon	1 tsp per gallon
Transplant hole	½ tsp	1 tsp
Vegetative top-dress	½ tsp per gallon	1 tsp per gallon
15-gallon soil build	2½ tsp	5 tsp
15-gallon vegetative top-dress	1½–2½ tsp	5 tsp

How to Apply Guano

Build or Recycle Soil

Incorporate Evenly

Measure each guano from the total soil volume.
Blend thoroughly with dry amendments before mixing into soil.
Add compost or castings, moisture, and mulch.
Let the soil rest or cycle before transplanting when possible.
Avoid running multiple phosphorus-heavy ingredients at full rates.

Top-Dress Active Plants

Apply a Thin, Even Layer

Pull mulch back from the soil surface.
Apply the measured guano evenly while avoiding the main stem.
Scratch gently into the upper ½ inch of soil.
Cover with castings or compost if desired.
Restore mulch and water slowly.

Liquid Preparation

Steep, Agitate, Use Promptly

Use 1–2 tablespoons per gallon of water.
Steep for up to 48 hours.
Agitate periodically during preparation.
Apply promptly as a soil drench.
Avoid spraying developing flowers to reduce residue and mold risk.

Choose the Right Guano

Your Goal	Better DTE Choice	Why
Build roots or support early flower	Seabird Guano 0-11-0	High phosphorus and high calcium with no nitrogen.
Add nitrogen during veg	Bat Guano 7-3-1	Nitrogen-forward with a small phosphorus and potassium contribution.
Re-amend low-phosphorus soil	Seabird Guano 0-11-0	More concentrated organic phosphorus source.
Support a hungry vegetative plant	Bat Guano 7-3-1	More useful for active nitrogen demand.
Maintain late-flowering plants	Usually neither	Avoid unnecessary nitrogen or phosphorus buildup late in the cycle.
Balance fish bone meal and calcium inputs	Often neither or lower dose	Both guanos can stack phosphorus and/or calcium with other amendments.

Important Cautions

Use Guano Responsibly

Select one product based on a specific demonstrated nitrogen or phosphorus need.
Apply before peak demand to allow time for soil integration.
Account for all calcium when considering Seabird Guano.
Use Bat Guano mainly for transplanting and vegetative growth.
Pair with castings, compost, mulch, and normal irrigation.
Use soil testing before increasing rates in recycled soil.

Avoid These Mistakes

Stacking Seabird Guano, fish bone meal, bone meal, bloom blends, and phosphate rock at full rates.
Ignoring calcium from gypsum, lime, oyster shell, crab shell, hard water, or cal-mag.
Using Bat Guano heavily during mid or late flower.
Expecting a dry amendment to correct a nutrient issue within days.
Applying concentrated guano clumps against the stem or roots.
Breathing amendment dust or storing bags near food, children, or pets.

Practical 15-Gallon Program

Stage	Amendment	Practical Amount
Soil building or recycle	DTE Bat Guano 7-3-1	2½–5 tsp, only if extra nitrogen is needed.
Soil building or recycle	DTE Seabird Guano 0-11-0	½ cup, only if phosphorus is low and calcium inputs are modest.
Early veg top-dress	DTE Bat Guano 7-3-1	2½ tsp.
Transition to flower	DTE Seabird Guano 0-11-0	¼ cup.
Mid to late flower	Neither by default	Use test-driven amendments only.

Bottom Line

Use Bat Guano 7-3-1 as a low-dose vegetative nitrogen amendment: approximately ½–1 teaspoon per gallon while building or recharging soil, or around 2½–5 teaspoons for a 15-gallon container when the nitrogen program supports it.

Use Seabird Guano 0-11-0 as a phosphorus-and-calcium amendment: approximately ½–1 tablespoon per gallon for soil building or recycling, or about ¼ cup as a measured early-flower top-dress in a 15-gallon pot.

Both products can be useful, but the safest cannabis strategy is to select the amendment that fills a genuine need, apply it before peak demand, account for existing phosphorus and calcium, and avoid stacking high-analysis organic inputs without soil-test guidance.

Wear gloves, avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, and keep bags dry, sealed, and away from children, pets, and food-preparation areas.