Looking to enhance the health and productivity of your garden? Consider the numerous benefits of using manure, a common and cost-effective garden amendment. Here's everything you need to know about this versatile, eco-friendly gardening solution.
Using Manure in Gardening: More Than Just Fertilizer
While manure is not classified as a fertilizer, it's an excellent amendment that enhances soil quality. It provides vital nutrients to promote plant growth and improves soil structure, enabling better aeration and water retention. Manure also stimulates microorganism growth by adding organic matter to the soil and can help reduce reliance on chemical products.
When to Apply Manure
If you're planning on enriching your soil with manure, timing is key. The three major periods to consider spreading manure in your garden are:
- Before Planting: Spread and thoroughly mix the manure a few weeks prior to planting. This helps prevent potential root burn.
- During the Growth Period: If you weren't able to apply the manure earlier, small quantities can be spread during this period. Avoid contact with plants to prevent harm
- In the Autumn: This is the perfect time to spread manure, as it decomposes over the winter, prepping the soil for the next growing season.
Application Advice
For best result, use well-decomposed or composted manure to avoid burn. Manure from cows, sheep, chickens, or horses is commonly used. To ensure it's safe for plants, compost the manure for at least 18 months before use. Spread it in thin layers for even distribution, but do not bury it.
Vegetables That Don’t Tolerate Manure
While manure is generally beneficial, there are some vegetables that don't tolerate it. These include potatoes, carrots, endives, garlic, shallots, onions, beans, lamb's lettuce, and watercress. Excessive nitrogen from the manure may alter the taste of these vegetables.
Choosing the Right Manure for Your Garden
The type of manure you choose can depend on various factors. Horse manure is lightweight, warm, and balanced, making it an ideal mulch. Chicken manure, which is easily available at poultry farms, is another good option. Rabbit droppings can also serve as an effective fertilizer. Gardening stores also stock granulated manure for those who prefer a ready-made option.