I'm new to gardening and have a large pile of well-rotted manure that I'd like to mix into my garden beds. However, I have a lot of herbaceous perennials and a few bulbs from last year that are starting to come up. If I use a fork to mix in the manure, will I risk damaging the plants, or can they handle a bit of disturbance? Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Definitely just lay it on top. Your perennials will push through the manure without a problem unless you really pile it on there thick. Worms will do the rest!
Honestly, you should avoid digging altogether. The topsoil is where nutrients are most concentrated, and digging can disrupt that. Just use the manure as mulch—your plants will appreciate it and it’ll keep the soil healthy.
You don't need to dig it in! Just spread that well-rotted manure over the surface as mulch. It'll help keep weeds down, and those worms will take care of mixing it in for you as they work. Let nature do its thing!