I recently started an allotment with my partner and we've been working hard to clear it out. There was a lot of grass with deep roots, so we removed about 30 cm of soil. After that, we thought it would be a good idea to add fresh horse manure and hay from my mom's farm. Now, I'm seeing that fresh manure can carry E. coli and I'm freaking out! I've already added it to half the garden and I'm worried I've ruined everything. Can I plant anything there, or is it a health risk? The manure is now around 20 cm deep, which makes it hard to remove. What should I do?
5 Answers
Check out this guide on manure use and best practices to avoid any health risks: [https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2510e/](https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2510e/). It really breaks down everything you need to know!
It's probably best to leave that part of the garden alone for now. Fresh manure can be too hot for most plants. If you wait until next year when it has had time to compost, it should be safe to plant then.
Consider getting some red wigglers! They help break down the manure and reduce bacteria levels, plus they'll improve your soil!
You can actually grow heavy feeders like pumpkins in fresh manure! They thrive in those conditions.
Totally! Winter squash does really well in fresh manure, so you’ve got some options this year!