Manure, The Best Fertilizer for Organic Gardening

Manure helps plants with weaker roots to grow into healthy strong bearing plants. It also helps condition the soil and aids the soil in the retention of moisture. But all manure is not created equal and contributes various nutritional strengths. Never apply fresh manure to plants. It will burn the leaves and roots of plants.

Animal Manure

Manure value varies on what the animal is eating, the bedding and the general health of the animal. There are numerous types of animal manure which vary in water solubility, concentration of elements and nutrients, bulk, fermentation rate and lasting affect on the soil.

Cow Manure

Cow manure is by far the safest and most popular of animal manures. It is low in nutrients and can be used in any quantity.

Poultry Manure

Poultry Manure is water soluble, quick acting fertilizer that is super concentrated. It contains zero bulk fibre so it is best mixed and stock piled with hay or peat moss. Spreading chicken manure out allows drying and then can be ground into powder. Place the dry poultry manure along the side of young growing plants. Poultry manure can also be added to compost pile in small amounts.

Horse Manure

Horse Manure is coarse, dryer with concentrated urine. It ferments and breaks down quickly so ends up having little lasting affect on the soil in your garden. It is best used on quick growing plants such as lettuce, cabbage and radishes.

Pig Manure

Pig manure is solid, has the most nutrients and less bulk. It is slow fermenting and releases nutrients slowly into the soil. This is beneficial to slower growing plants and soil that is sandy and drains quickly. Mixed with straw the fermentation will increase and it will break down quicker. This will make the pig manure release nutrients quicker and also build up the bulk.

How to Apply Manure

Adding phosphate to fresh manure helps to preserve nitrogen and food content. Dig manure into soil. If manure is left on top of soil the weed seed that comes with most manure will germinate. Apply fresh manure in late fall or early winter. Manure that has been stock piled and allowed to ferment can be added to the soil in late winter or early spring before planting.

Manure is an asset to build up the nutrients in your vegetable garden giving the plants a soil that will enhance growth and production. Each type of manure releases different levels of nutrients at various rates to benefit the soil conditions and types of plants you will be growing in your garden. Don’t forget to apply it in the late fall or early winter if it is fresh. If the manure has sat and fermented it can be dug into the soil in the winter or early spring just before planting.

References:

Moore, Bernard. 1980. Vegetable Gardening With Bernard Moore. Vancouver, B.C. Intermedia