I recently got a donation of fresh manure from a local farm for my community garden plot. The manure isn't composted yet, and I'm aware that fresh manure isn't usually recommended for immediate use, especially for food crops. With the gardening season wrapping up and frost setting in, I'm looking for advice on how to best utilize this manure before winter. I don't have space for composting on my plot, so I need ideas that can work with what I have. Any suggestions?
7 Answers
Before you use the manure, consider doing a basic bio-assay. It sounds fancy but it’s simple! Just plant some beans in it and see how they perform. If they’re twisted or unhealthy, the manure may be contaminated. If all is well, you can safely use it for wintering your beds like I do every year—just make sure to cover it with some leaves to aid in breakdown.
It depends on the type of manure. For instance, chicken manure needs to sit and age, while horse and sheep manure can often be used right away. If you're working with horse manure or similar, it's lower in nitrogen and less likely to harm your plants.
Make sure to check if the manure has any residual herbicides, especially those that can persist and damage your future crops. If you’re unsure, go ahead and ask your supplier about the source. It’s better to be safe than sorry, trust me, I learned the hard way!
Definitely ask! It’s worth it to ensure your garden stays healthy.
If you want to boost your garden’s nutrition further, mix the manure with some fallen leaves to achieve a balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Then pile it up to let it decompose over the winter. When spring comes, you can spread it out!
That sounds great! I’ll definitely mix in some leaves, thanks for the tip!
Farmers spread fresh manure on their fields all the time! It’s actually quite common, but just be mindful of using it directly on active growing areas.
If you can’t use it directly, you might even look for someone who can compost it properly for you. Animal manure needs special composting conditions to break down effectively, but if that’s not an option, mixing small amounts in now can still improve your soil for next year.
It’s best not to use fresh manure on any garden beds where you plan to grow produce soon, as it can cause ‘nutrient burn’ from the salts present in the manure. However, since you’re closing your garden for winter, spreading the fresh manure now and letting it decay over the winter is a great option. In the spring, the manure should be well-decomposed and ready to help your plants thrive!
Totally agree! Just remember to avoid applying it while plants are still growing, as it can be really harmful. But, if you lay it down now, it’ll break down beautifully and enrich your soil come spring.
Yes, a thin layer is perfect! Just make sure to get it down before it gets too cold to allow for some effective decomposition.
Good call! Herbicide contamination can really mess up your soil for years. Always best to double-check.