Oh, Shit! Manure in the Garden Is Good as Gold!

Summary

Manure is a highly beneficial organic fertilizer for gardens when used correctly, providing essential nutrients and microbes for plant health, but it requires proper handling to avoid potential drawbacks such as plant damage, pathogen contamination, and weed seed propagation.

Abstract

Manure is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for garden soil, along with beneficial microbes that contribute to soil health. However, it's crucial to use manure in its composted form, as fresh manure can harm plants due to its high nitrogen and ammonia content. Composted manure must be heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and thoroughly turned to ensure safety and effectiveness. Despite its benefits, there are concerns about manure containing pesticide residues, antibiotics, and harmful pathogens if sourced from non-organic farms. Additionally, it can introduce weed seeds into the garden. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to use aged or composted manure, avoid raw manure, and never use manure from meat-eating animals. Rabbit manure is considered the most nutrient-rich, followed by chicken, sheep, horse, cattle, duck, and pig manure.

Opinions

Fresh manure should not be used directly in gardens as it can burn plants and inhibit seed germination.
Aged manure should be used with caution, as it can still harm plants despite being less potent than fresh manure.
Composted manure is the safest and most beneficial form for garden use, provided it has been properly heated and turned.
There is a preference for sourcing manure from organic farms to minimize the presence of pesticides and antibiotics.
Manure from cats, dogs, and other meat-eating animals is deemed unsuitable for garden use due to the risk of pathogen contamination.
Human manure is strictly advised against for use in gardens.
The article suggests that rabbit manure is the most nutrient-rich, implying it as a preferred choice for gardeners.
The use of gloves, washable rubber boots, and thorough handwashing is emphasized when handling fresh manure to prevent contamination.
The author encourages readers to become Medium members to support writers and access full stories.
The article promotes the idea of using cover crops and soil testing as additional methods for maintaining soil health.

Composted manure is a sustainable, organic way to keep your plants healthy

Call it shit, crap, poop, or dung.

Whatever you call it, manure is one of the most nutrient-rich, sustainable amendments you can add to your garden.

Many types of animal manure are rich in the nutrients all plants need — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — plus microbes that are great for healthy soil. There are, however, some disadvantages and concerns involved with using manure in home gardens.

First, it’s important to understand the stages that manure goes through. Fresh manure is high in nitrogen compounds and ammonia that can burn plants and initially inhibit seed germination. Aged manure has been stored for at least six months, allowing some of that nitrogen and ammonia to break down. It’s still nutrient-rich but can also still burn plants. To be considered “composted,” manure must be heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and turned enough so that the entire pile has heated through.

While manure can be a great source of nutrients, it does also have some drawbacks. While we tend to think of manure as organic matter, if it comes from non-organic farms or other sources, it may contain residue of pesticides, antibiotics, or other medications that were given to the animals.

In addition, it may carry harmful pathogens like E. coli, listeria, or salmonella, which can be particularly dangerous for children. And manure is notorious for being a source of spreading weed seeds, which can turn your garden beds into a weed patch.

In spite of those drawbacks, manure can be a useful addition to your soil if you practice a few simple tips:

Never use raw manure of any kind in your home garden.

Don’t use manure from cats, dogs, or other meat-eating animals in the garden. They can contain harmful pathogens. And (need I really say this?) never use human manure in the garden.

If you use aged manure, it should be aged for a minimum of six months, and you should wait at least one month following application before planting.

If you use composted manure, apply it at a rate of 40 pounds per 100 square feet, and work it into the soil to a depth of 6 to 9 inches.

If you want to obtain fresh manure for composting, the best sources are local farms, zoos, or stables. Manure composts best when it is mixed with bedding materials like straw. Be sure to wear gloves and washable rubber boots when handling fresh manure, and wash your hands carefully afterward.

Want to know which animal produces the most nutrient-rich manure? Rabbits! Next on the list are chickens, followed (in order) by sheep, horses, cattle, ducks, and pigs.

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