While synthetic fertilizers might seem convenient, they’re not ideal for growing a healthy organic garden. The truth is, many organic gardeners struggle with the expense and scarcity of organic fertilizers. However, there’s an easy solution that can add nutrients to your soil while also improving its structure: manure. As a natural soil amendment, manure can elevate the nutrient level in your soil and make it easier to work with.
If you’re looking for a well-draining, fertile garden, manure is definitely worth considering. But not all animal manures are created equal. While some types of manure are safe to use without restrictions, others should be used with caution or even avoided altogether. To determine which manures are best for your garden, it’s essential to understand the differences between them.
Why You Should Add Manure to the Garden
Since the dawn of agriculture, manure has been a cornerstone in gardening, providing essential nutrients and amendments to soil. At its core, manure is the waste product of animals, which, when composted, can be safely used to enrich your garden. Composting manure allows for the breakdown of nutrients and the elimination of pathogens that could harm you or your plants.
While it’s technically possible to use uncomposted manure, caution is advised as it may contain weed seeds and take longer to break down, potentially affecting plant growth. The characteristic pungent smell of raw manure can also be a nuisance, and its application can lead to leggy, thin plants that struggle to establish strong root systems. To mitigate these issues, manure must reach a temperature of 140°F for an extended period before use.
Despite these challenges, manure remains a valuable resource in gardening, particularly when it comes to adding nitrogen to the soil. Many animal-derived manures, such as cow manure, contain beneficial bacteria that convert nutrients into accessible forms, allowing plants to thrive without risk of root burning. Manure can come from various animals, but some are more suitable than others for use in your garden.
Chicken Manure in the Garden
Chicken manure stands out as one of the most valuable additions to a garden, boasting an exceptionally high nitrogen content. While all types of manure contain some level of nitrogen, chicken manure takes the lead in this regard. However, this high concentration also presents a slight drawback – it’s crucial to thoroughly compost it to prevent it from burning your plants.
For optimal results, apply the composted manure in the fall or spring, allowing it time to break down before incorporating it into your garden. One important note is to exercise caution when using chicken manure on acid-loving plants and especially flowers. The excessive nitrogen content can lead to an overabundance of foliage at the expense of your blooms.
Pig Manure in the Garden
In the past, farmers would incorporate pig manure into their gardens during autumn. This natural process allowed the manure to decompose over time, providing essential nutrients for the upcoming spring’s crops. While this approach is theoretically effective, there are some concerns. Pig manure can harbor pathogens that pose a risk to human health, including E. coli, parasitic worms, and salmonella. Fortunately, these risks can be mitigated by composting the pig manure.
To ensure the process is safe and effective, follow our comprehensive guide on how to compost pig manure. The key is to allow it to break down for several months or even a year, turning it every four weeks or so. Letting it cook for as long as possible will render it completely safe to add to your garden. Compared to chicken manure, pig manure tends to offer a more balanced blend of nutrients, albeit with slightly lower nitrogen levels.
Sheep Manure in the Garden
Sheep manure, a valuable byproduct of sheep farming, can be leveraged in your garden to promote healthy plant growth. Its unique pelletized form allows for faster composting compared to other types of manure, making it a convenient addition to your gardening routine. Notably, sheep manure is characterized as a slow-release fertilizer, boasting higher levels of phosphorus and potassium than many other manures.
This low-odor option is often used to top-dress garden beds, and while composting is still recommended for optimal utilization, the benefits of incorporating this manure into your soil are undeniable. By using sheep manure, you can not only foster robust root development in your plants but also cultivate a rich organic matter in the soil, ultimately contributing to a thriving gardening ecosystem.
Cow Manure in the Garden
Cow manure, although not as nitrogen-rich as some others, still boasts a respectable percentage. Its nutrient profile is characterized by a 3-2-1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Like other manures, it requires time to break down effectively.
The relatively lower nitrogen content makes cow manure a popular choice among gardeners. When composted, it can provide an abundance of beneficial nutrients.
However, as with pig manure, it’s crucial to prioritize pathogen-free composting to prevent unwanted contaminants in your soil.
Cow manure primarily consists of digested grain and grass, but may also introduce weed seeds into the garden. Moreover, it tends to contain more ammonia gas than other types of manures, except for chicken manure, which warrants attention.
Horse Manure in the Garden
While cow manure and horse manure share similar nutrient profiles, the latter’s sheer volume and weed seed content demand slightly longer composting periods – ideally exceeding six months to break down effectively. This allows for a more uniform breakdown and minimizes the risk of introducing unwanted competition for your desired crops.
As an added benefit, horse manure can be incorporated into a wide range of garden applications, including flowers, vegetables, and root crops.
When using it in conjunction with root crops specifically, sufficient composting time is crucial to prevent any adverse effects. Once matured, the resulting product will resemble fertile soil, boasting a distinct earthy aroma – a testament to its readiness for use in your garden.
Other Sources of Manure – and Ones You Should Avoid
While chicken manure is an excellent addition to your garden, there are other types of manure you can use to further enrich the soil and promote healthy crop growth. Rabbit and goat manure, for instance, offer similar benefits to sheep manure and can be applied in a comparable manner. When it comes to manure from other poultry sources, follow the same guidelines as with chicken manure.
What’s particularly noteworthy about rabbit manure is its exceptionally high nutrient content – boasting around four times more nutrients than cow or horse manure, and twice that of chicken manure. This natural fertilizer can also help enhance soil structure without requiring composting beforehand. On the other hand, it’s crucial to steer clear of manure from carnivores like cats and dogs, as well as any other meat-eating animals.
These types of manures often harbor dangerous pathogens that can have severe health consequences.
Where to Get Free or Cheap Manure
Raising farm animals is an effective way to acquire free manure for your garden. While it may seem counterintuitive, as farming can be costly, using animal waste as fertilizer is a natural and sustainable approach. If you’re already raising animals, consider collecting their droppings and incorporating them into your compost pile. This not only reduces waste but also creates a valuable nutrient-rich amendment for your plants.
Alternatively, explore local options near you that offer manure for sale or give it away. Many farmers may be willing to part with excess manure, which can be a valuable resource for gardeners. You can also purchase bags of composted manure from home and garden stores in your area. When using manure as fertilizer, it’s essential to compost it first. While some types of manure might be safe to use fresh, it’s generally safer and more effective to compost it regardless.
Composting ensures that the high nutrient content is broken down and available to your plants, while also eliminating any potential contaminants like pesticides or herbicides. One important caveat is to avoid using human manure in your garden. Not only can it transmit diseases, pathogens, and unwanted substances to your soil, but it’s also generally considered unhygienic. Instead, opt for more common animal manures, such as those from cows, horses, or chickens.
With some knowledge and caution, you can safely incorporate most types of manure into your garden.
