Manure
How many websites that you know of have a page devoted to
manure? Not too many, huh!?! Well, we do and right about now, we should
give a light hearted pause for a few jokes. Considering the fact that we
are a "kid-safe" website, we will pass on the normal humor and
dig right into the topic.
Pretty much everybody knows what manure is. But after
that, what do we really know? Sometimes not much. But then, how many
people do you know of strive in life to be the subject matter expert on
this topic, despite it's importance in the gardening world?
Value of Manure:
Manure does a couple of things for your soil. First, it
contains a rich and wide range of mineral and nutrients. It provides all
of the three main chemicals- Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, and
plenty of it. Importantly, it also contains many of the micronutrients
that we hear less about.
The second benefit of manure is that it adds to the
composition of the soil. It contains both animal waste and straw (or
sometimes sawdust). In addition to all of those valuable naturally sourced
chemicals and nutrients, well-decomposed manure adds valuable compost that
holds moisture and promotes easier and healthier root growth.
Tip: When dealing with manure make sure that is it
well-decomposed. Work it into the garden in the fall if you are going to
use fresh manure. Never use fresh manure in the spring or summer
We emphasize well-decomposed (or well rotted) as fresh
manure is very "hot" and can damage your plants. Have you ever
seen a dog "do his thing" on the lawn and found a brown spot a
few days later? This is because fresh waste is very high in nitrogen and
burns plants. That same reseeded spot a few weeks later is the greenest
spot in the lawn as the area is still rich in nitrogen.
Not All Manures are created equal!
To suggest that all manures are the same is to be naive.
The diet of each and every animal varies, especially between vegetarian
and carnivores. Most of the manures which you have regular access to are
vegetarian. But even within this group, diets are different and the
digestion process functions different. Dietary changes, especially
seasonal, also affect the final "finished product".
As an example of the differences, horses eat lots of field
grasses and weeds. They do not pulverize their food as they eat it and
their digestive tract allows many weed seeds to pass through unaffected.
As a result, the horse excretes the seeds. People who use this manure,
experience far more weeds in their gardens.
Cow on the other handalso eat lost of field grasses and
weeds. They chew and grind their food far more throughly and their
digestive system processes the food far more efficiently. The
"end" product has far fewer weed seeds in it.
What kind of manures do gardeners use? The answer to this is pretty
much what is available and in sufficient quantities collect.
Cow- One of the two most popular manures as it is
available in large quantities. Farmers who convert cow pastures to
farmland, produce excellent results. The disadvantage is it is a bit
messier to handle.
Horse- The second of the top two sources of home gardening
manure. Again, the supply is high. It is mixed with straw or sawdust. A
barrel and a pitchfork, and you are all set.
Chicken- If you are near a chicken farm, this is good
source of manure.
Turkey- As with Chicken manure, if you live near a turkey
farm, stop by and see if the farmer will let you take some.
Sea Gull- In the humorous book "Pumpkins are
Orange" by Jack Breckinridge, a pumpkin grower goes off in search of
quantities of seagull manure on the theory that everything near the ocean
grows big because of it. Who knows, he may be right!
Rabbit- Some suggest that rabbit manure is absolutely the
best they have used. Quantities of course is the challenge.
Bat Guano- Bat Guano (manure) is believed to be the
absolute best of manures.
Did you know? There are even arguments as to which
type of bats produce the best bat guano.
Human- While this is practiced in many foreign countries,
the home gardener should avoid it. Untreated human waste has human disease
that you can pick up.
Dog and cat- okay for flower garden, but not recommended
for the vegetable garden.
Stray waste(Deer, etc)- Limit to the flower garden or
discard.
Sources:
The most common source is farms in your neighborhood. Some
farms will charge for you to take it. Others will let you haul it away for
free. A few, will not let you take it at all. In all cases we recommend
you be polite and respect the other person's property that you are on as
an offensive person or two can spoil access to those who come seeking
manure later.
If you go often bring along some of the fruits of your
labor(flowers, fruits, vegetables) either now or later in the season. It
goes a long way towards developing friendship to someone who is giving you
something of value for free.
Before you go: Manure tends to get all over, no
matter what you do. You would be amazed at how many people do not plan
ahead for this task.Wear old clothes. Protect your vehicle by placing
plastic covering down even if you are hauling it in containers. Place
plastic or newspaper on the floor under your feet. Shovels and pitchforks
are a necessity. I saw one person once come up and ask to use the farms
tools. He left quickly. And, don't forget an old towel in case you need
not wipe your hands before touching the steering wheel.
More Information:
Manure
Tea That's right, manure tea. Crumpets anyone!?!
Manure
Tea Tea for two!
Manure
Guide From the Old Farmer's Almanac
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