I'm planning to redo the landscaping in front of my house and I'm considering using cow manure as fertilizer before I plant new shrubs and perennials. Is cow manure a good option, or should I look for something else?
1 Answer
Using manure can be tricky! If you're looking to flower or fruit your plants, you might want to go easy on the heavy stuff like cow manure. It can provide plenty of nutrients, but it can also be a bit "hot" for certain plants and may burn them. If it's well composted and you can get it cheaply, it might work. However, I recommend making your own compost from kitchen scraps and garden waste instead—it's usually gentler and really helps improve your soil's texture!

What do you think about adding a light top dressing of fresh soil before planting? Would that be beneficial?