I just started a backyard garden and my sister-in-law, who lives on a ranch, is sending me some cow manure for fertilizer. While I know manure can enrich the soil, I'm not sure how to apply it. Should I use it directly in my pots, or do I need to prepare it in some way to prevent harming my plants?
3 Answers
If the manure is fresh, it’s best to compost it first. Fresh manure can be too potent for plants and might damage them if used right away. Composting helps stabilize its nutrients and keeps your plants safe!
It's really important to let cow manure ‘cool’ before using it, especially if it's fresh. If it’s too hot, it could literally kill your seeds and plants! You can usually tell if it's still hot by checking for heat when you shovel it. Plus, be aware that it can contain a lot of grass seeds, so it might bring more weeds into your garden later on. The norm is to mix it directly into the soil, no need for anything else!
That makes sense! I think I can manage the weeds as long as I stay on top of them and pull them out when I see them.
Is that why they call them cow patties... landmines? ?
Make sure the cows were fed hay that wasn’t treated with any harmful herbicides. Some chemicals like Amino Pyralid can survive in manure and mess up your soil. Check out David the Good's YouTube video for more info on this—it’s super helpful!
Okay, got it! Just to clarify, will using it fresh harm the plants?